Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - James' Hello Thread

Hey everybody:

I'm back after a long break from cycling. I definitely fit the description of a clyde - at 5'8" I'm over 280# currently. Looking at losing about 100-120# over the next 18-20 months or so.

I'm happy that I found this forum - I've only read a very little bit this morning, but will be lurking quite a bit in the near future. I still have my Specialized Rockhopper (and finally got around to putting air in the tires yesterday...) and will be starting to ride again very soon.

Anyways, I just wanted to poke my head in and say hello. I'll post a pic of me and my bike when I can. (I'm going to have a coworker take a look at it and see if he thinks anything needs to be changed/replaced/adjusted/lubed/fixed before I get back into riding.

It's all hills around here where I live, so the only real excuse not to ride for exercise is that I'm lazy! I really like staying on my computer most of the time, but I know that this is not serving my waistline well at all... since it's starting to warm up outside, the last of my excuses (cold weather) is leaving and I have no reason not to bike anymore.

So. Hello :) Pic of me and my bike will come soon.

James

Hey everybody:

I'm back after a long break from cycling. I definitely fit the description of a clyde - at 5'8" I'm over 280# currently. Looking at losing about 100-120# over the next 18-20 months or so.

I'm happy that I found this forum - I've only read a very little bit this morning, but will be lurking quite a bit in the near future. I still have my Specialized Rockhopper (and finally got around to putting air in the tires yesterday...) and will be starting to ride again very soon.

Anyways, I just wanted to poke my head in and say hello. I'll post a pic of me and my bike when I can. (I'm going to have a coworker take a look at it and see if he thinks anything needs to be changed/replaced/adjusted/lubed/fixed before I get back into riding.

It's all hills around here where I live, so the only real excuse not to ride for exercise is that I'm lazy! I really like staying on my computer most of the time, but I know that this is not serving my waistline well at all... since it's starting to warm up outside, the last of my excuses (cold weather) is leaving and I have no reason not to bike anymore.

So. Hello :) Pic of me and my bike will come soon.

James

Hello James! I know exactly how you feel, since I'm surrounded by hills and addicted to the computer as well. However, I think you should be able to break the addiction with some help from the folks here.

Good morning and welcome James. At minimum you should probably clean and lube your chain and sprocket set. Simple green works good to clean it. I like Rock 'N' Roll chain lube. I usually squirt the sprockets after cleaning with a little Tri-flow. Tri-flow can also be used to lube your cable sets. Position your bike so you can squirt the exposed cable and let the Tri-flow go into the housing. When you see it come out the other end you got it. Work the cables a bit to spread out the lube and your good to go. Have fun with it!

Jim

James,

Good luck with the weight loss and exercise. Just remember it is a lifestyle change and you can do it and we will do our best to help!!!!!

Hi James, nice of you to introduce yourself. You have no reason to lurk, join in on the conversations when your not out on the bike. For the most part we don't bite to hard:D.

Hopefully the bike wont need much attention, but it might be worth your while to have a bike shop tune it up for you. Get to know the people while your there.

Bau

Hello Jame,

I know exactly how you feel, I stepped on the scale the other day and had the reality slap me in the face hard that I am now 100 lbs over my ideal weight, which 220 lbs. I have been commuting to work for years but thats it and I'm chained to my desk during work.

But last year I came across Ken Kifer's Bike Pages and bikeforums and got inspired. I have being making changes to my live style slowly, and once all this gd forsaken snow melts i got plans, my goal it to hit a metric century before August.


Sean

Hello James. Welcome back to cycling. I hear you about the hills. Do you know about the ATT http://www.triangletrails.org/ATT.HTM ? It's a great trail and levels out some of the hills.

Did my first ride shortly after a checkup by the coworker. (Bike looks good, may need lube on cables and chain, but otherwise just fine.)

I'll be doing that maintenance this weekend, but rode a bit at lunch. A little over a mile - I forgot how fast time (and distance) goes when you're on a bike.

However, it proved to me just how out of shape I am - here I am about 15-20 minutes later and I'm *STILL* hot and sweaty. Maybe lunchtime rides aren't the best plan for me yet! I'll likely ride in the mornings or evenings, where I'll have a chance to shower before coming back to work.

Yes - I knew about the ATT, although I haven't been there in ages. There are a couple of hills there that kick my butt, but for the most part I can kind of power through them. It's a great choice for having a decent riding experience, and I'll likely be visiting there this weekend (weather permitting).

I will probably need to find some type of rack for my car... but for now I'm just taking the wheels off and sticking them in my trunk, while the rest of the bike sits in the backseat real patient-like. :)

Thanks for the replies everybody!

Welcome aboard James.

I've managed to work myself up from a 2 mile ride during my lunch hour to one that is just shy of 11 miles. Being as I live in Florida, all of them are flat miles so that helps a bunch. Did it with the help of the good people here (with some effort on my part) in a period of just over two years.

Welcome James. You have found a great place for both inspiration amd encouragement. This is a great site and this particular sub-forum is undoubtedly where you will find the most help. Just get out there and ride and don't forget to enjoy yourself. Once you stop enjoying it it becomes work, and we all know how much fun work is. I wish you the best of luck...and yes...The Historian is surrounded by hills. I have been there and seen them, but I still envy him for living there.

Cheers,

Brian

:beer: welcome!

...and yes...The Historian is surrounded by hills. I have been there and seen them, but I still envy him for living there.

You are welcome any time you want to come, Brian.

Not the best picture, but OH WELL. :) Here's me this afternoon with my bike. :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2230/2334000298_dff5b22cce.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamester/2334000298/)

Woo!

Hello, Jameshttp://doom3.planet-multiplayer.de/forum/html/emoticons/hallo.gif
Welcome to the Clyde subforum!