Recreational & Family - A Rockin' and A-Rollin'

Weight down about 30 pounds.

Energy and strength up about double.

Whee. I am having fun. :D

Hope you are too.

How about it?

By the way the thread "How was you rec-ride today" has so many photos that my poor little dial-up takes forever to load it in!!

So, I am starting a new one right here.

You sound like I feel, so it was great to see your post!!

I'm down 45 pounds, and according to my Dr. will be leveling off as muscle mass increases. Only been riding again since July, but already the difference is amazing. Hills are coming so much easier, butt is past the aching phase no matter how long I ride, speed is up, endurance is up, and unfortunately looking at getting a trainer because I know the weather is starting to change, but can't wait for those warm fall days while the leaves are changing to get some awesome rides in. It's the time of the year when you don't care if the trail is straight and flat as a board with all the fall folliage.

Did a trail yesterday with the kids, and my youngest managed to pull 29 miles so I am SOOOOO proud of him. He did the usual grunt and moan I can't do this on the return ride, but he did just fine and wanted to "RACE" me the last mile. Now you know I just had to let him win just for the attempt. And in the end, I was really the winner since he trys so hard at riding along with me. Highlights of the ride included a couple of small town parks, some remote control airplanes buzzing over our heads, a couple of snakes, and amazing amount of grass hoppers. Hadn't seen as many all summer as we did yesterday. Also missed quite a few wully-bears crossing the trail, don't know what they were thinking but they were heading somewhere. At one point in our ride, we met up with a "little guy" probably about 4-5 was riding one of those teeny tiny bikes with maybe a 10" wheel, that kid stood up on the pedals and TOOK OFF, but kept crashing, turns out he had a flat tire in the front and no control. So I pulled my pump off, and pumped it up for him while glaring at his mother who should have checked the dang thing before she took it out of the trunk. He rode along with us till we got to the street, and had a blast being able to control his bike again.

Pulled 16 miles myself in just under an hour, on our towpath trail and narrowly escaped 6 head ons with deer on the trail. Have to applaud whoever suggested "barking like a dog" because it really did work, and it was kind of funny to have the deer do a double take knowing full well I wasn't a dog, but still getting the hell out of my way!

Will have my 1000 miles by the end of the week, which for me is really good since I got my bike beginning of July, and haven't been riding for 12-14 years now. SOOOOO good to be back in the saddle again!

Will have my 1000 miles by the end of the week, which for me is really good since I got my bike beginning of July, and haven't been riding for 12-14 years now. SOOOOO good to be back in the saddle again!

Your post was delightful. I really enjoyed it.

My wife and I had just come back from riding. She and I rode together in a local state park, weher she managed to go right up some steep hills and did about 11 miles. She can do more, but had other things to do. Still, not too bad for someone almost 66 yo.

I rode back from the state park to my home - all on nice bike paths, and got a total of 21 miles in. Not a lot, but a glorious day for a ride.

Thanks for posting. I have about 3000+ miles in this year so far, and have really enjoyed losing the weight. I also do a lot of weight lifting.

Have a great day.

You are so lucky, I wish I could get my wife to take a ride but don't see it happening. I know she's glad I am, and even more glad I can take the kids off her hands for such long periods of time! LOL

I always like to hear other folks who enjoy the "trails" in the State Parks, or in our case National Park. It's funny listening to all the folks talking about how dangerous those trails are with all the dogs, kids and pedestrians, but to me, that's what makes it fun. Granted I get a little tired of braking on occassions, and even more tired of the deaf people who just walk right down the middle no matter how courteously you try to get the point across that you would like to get pass them. I see it as good training for the my kids who like to ride on the road, but need more skill and confidence.

As for your wife riding at 66, I reached the point where I was begining to think I wasn't even going to reach 66, let alone be able to ride a bike, the primary impetus for my getting off my duff, and getting back on the bike. And although I know for a fact you have more spectacular scenery in Denver, I suspect when out on the trails, you have the same dogs, kids and pedestrians. LOL

I'll have 3000 for sure next, year, and if I can get motivated enough will get my 2000 this year even if it has to be on a trainer, want to loose about 60 more pounds, but not as fast as I lost the first 45, and although I admire the folks who have the hutzpah to do weightlifting, just can't get motivated myself. My brother suggested skiing and skating in the winter as being great for the legs so may learn to ski this year, and will hit the skates for sure. Sking is particularly convenient since the resort is just down the hill from my house, and right at one of the trail heads where we do a lot of our biking! Guess I don't have to tell you about sking though considering your location!!

and although I admire the folks who have the hutzpah to do weightlifting, just can't get motivated myself.

I felt the same way but picked up a cheapo weight set (dumb bells) and started doing sets of curls while I watched TV (had to do something with the Fran Dressher arms after the weight loss, it was all bouncy when I road the bike, and I'm a dude). That eventually moved into overhead presses, shrugs, military presses, then a standard bench and curling bar (garage sale). I am much stronger than I was just a few months ago and you will be amazed what a set of dumbells can do for you.

It has been four months and I just (yesterday) picked up an Olympic sized bench and a new set of weighs from MC Sports (97 bucks for the bench, 99 for 300 lbs of weights). If you are pleased with what cycling has done for your strength, endurance, and stomach, just try the weights for thirty days. Just work them into your routine slowly. The same way you did cycling (I'm guessing you started off slow).

I've noticed now that the weather and daylight fade quickly I don't have much time to ride. But I have time to sit on the bench and come up with reasons not to lift, but none of them are any good. So I just suck it up and lift. My goal is to "look muscular" by spring.

Hope these words are encouraging (BTW: MC Sports weight sale ends this week).

Keep it up, ehenz