bicycle magazine is looking for Biggest Losers

[b_young]

I found on Bicycle magazine this morning that they are looking for people who have lost over 100 lbs. You may get in the article.:thumb:

click here for the article.
Bicycle (http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s1-4-21-17481-1,00.html)

[jaxgtr]

Wow, that would be cool, but I don't qualify. Close though at 80 lbs.

[bdinger]

"svelte self" = no way I qualify, even though I doubled their qualifying number :). Dang!

[The Historian]

I found on Bicycle magazine this morning that they are looking for people who have lost over 100 lbs. You may get in the article.:thumb:

click here for the article.
Bicycle (http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s1-4-21-17481-1,00.html)

Most of my weight loss, such as it is, took place before I learned to ride.

[Alathea]

How much have you lost? Total?

CAS

[theetruscan]

"svelte self" = no way I qualify, even though I doubled their qualifying number :). Dang!

Losing 200+ pounds through biking is damned impressive. Submit a story, that kind of loss is motivational whatever your current weight.

[The Historian]

How much have you lost? Total?

CAS

Not sure who that is directed to, but if it was me, 143 pounds at my peak, from 385 to 242. I'm up about 25 pounds this year from inactivity due to health problems.

Here's me at 360, February 2006. 385 was my weight as of November 2005, but I probably topped 400 at one point. I had a size 64 suit jacket (60 waist), and it was tight on me.

http://lh5.google.com/neil.thehistorian/RhRyR5YhErI/AAAAAAAAADY/5m8phmJaS3g/s400/IMG_1161.JPG

And mid August 2007, about 245 or so:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g11/tourmaletguy/MyPhillyrideandstuff064.jpg

One of the motivating factors that helped me lose weight was my desire to learn to ride a bike. I never learned to ride as a child. Back before I changed my life I had, and still have, friends who ride. I saw them co

[bdinger]

I'm VERY close to losing 100lbs purely because of biking, the other 127 can be attributed to exercise and the like pre-biking. I guess I will send 'em a story, what will it hurt, right?

Neil, you should definitely send them a story. Not because of how much you lost, but because of how much biking has impacted you. You couldn't ride a bike before, then you lost weight and turned into a bicycle touring and commuting monster! I'd imagine they can spin the weight loss however they'd like, you are still an inspiration to many of us.

[st0ut]

i dont qualify. I started before i needed toi lose 100. But i hope some of you do submit. It would be nice to see people i 'know' in print.

[The Historian]

I'm VERY close to losing 100lbs purely because of biking, the other 127 can be attributed to exercise and the like pre-biking. I guess I will send 'em a story, what will it hurt, right?

Neil, you should definitely send them a story. Not because of how much you lost, but because of how much biking has impacted you. You couldn't ride a bike before, then you lost weight and turned into a bicycle touring and commuting monster! I'd imagine they can spin the weight loss however they'd like, you are still an inspiration to many of us.

I'm happy to do it. We all know I'm hardly shy. But I'm not a heck of an inspiration now - I'm up 20 pounds or so, I'm hardly riding curently, and I'm a novice cyclist at best. Also, the last person to call me "inspirational" won't ride, or even speak to me, at the moment - it turns out I wasn't good enough to keep up with him.

Also, I don't fit the Bicycling/Rodale Press audience demographic - I'm a fat middle-aged guy with twisted legs and a raised right shoulder. I don't ride clipless, and I don't ride a 3000 dollar all carbon bike.

[b_young]

Neil, I really think you should submit one anyway. Your an excellent writer. Let them decide whether or not to use your story.

I do not qualify. I have only lost about 10lbs in 3 years of riding. It would help if I didn't like to eat so much. The last 1.5 years I have been back in a classroom setting and have gained a lot back. Lots of stress. I am out of it as of last week so maybe I can get serious about the weight again. I am at 245 now and would like to be around 190.

[bdinger]

I'm happy to do it. We all know I'm hardly shy. But I'm not a heck of an inspiration now - I'm up 20 pounds or so, I'm hardly riding curently, and I'm a novice cyclist at best. Also, the last person to call me "inspirational" won't ride, or even speak to me, at the moment - it turns out I wasn't good enough to keep up with him.

Also, I don't fit the Bicycling/Rodale Press audience demographic - I'm a fat middle-aged guy with twisted legs and a raised right shoulder. I don't ride clipless, and I don't ride a 3000 dollar all carbon bike.

Hey, I'm still over 300 pounds, I ride a steel touring bike that probably weighs north of 30 pounds, and I more often than not wear a t-shirt and gym shorts than lycra.

But I bet, five bucks, that were either of us 100 pounds lighter and on one of those 3000 dollar bikes that we'd totally kick the crap out of any roadie in sight! :thumb:

[The Historian]

Hey, I'm still over 300 pounds, I ride a steel touring bike that probably weighs north of 30 pounds, and I more often than not wear a t-shirt and gym shorts than lycra.

But I bet, five bucks, that were either of us 100 pounds lighter and on one of those 3000 dollar bikes that we'd totally kick the crap out of any roadie in sight! :thumb:

Ah, but Ben, do you ride clipless? :)

I'm not sure I'd want to "kick the crap" out of roadies - despite some of the assumptions made about my posts, I'm not against racing or "roadies" - and I doubt I'd drop them anyway. I might outlast them, however. The 90 miles on a fractured rib riding a rut-strewn towpath shows some of my determination and stamina.

[bdinger]

Ah, but Ben, do you ride clipless? :)

I'm not sure I'd want to "kick the crap" out of roadies - despite some of the assumptions made about my posts, I'm not against racing or "roadies" - and I doubt I'd drop them anyway. I might outlast them, however. The 90 miles on a fractured rib riding a rut-strewn towpath shows some of my determination and stamina.

I do not! I have big ole BMX pedals that are pushed by my Columbia sandals or North Face "trail runner" tennis shoes, and I have zero plans to go clipless. I toy with the idea off and on, but I'm at the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" stage with that. I can't say it won't change in the future, but for now I absolutely pleased with my setup. I'm turning into sort of a old grouch in that regard, you could say :).

See, that story right there should get you into bicycling. It takes a bit of strength to do a 50 mile highway ride in two hours, sure, but it take some serious cajones for a big guy to ride a aluminum hybrid bike on a dirt path for 90 miles after busting a rib.

[natbla]

I'm happy to do it. We all know I'm hardly shy. But I'm not a heck of an inspiration now - I'm up 20 pounds or so, I'm hardly riding curently, and I'm a novice cyclist at best. Also, the last person to call me "inspirational" won't ride, or even speak to me, at the moment - it turns out I wasn't good enough to keep up with him.

Also, I don't fit the Bicycling/Rodale Press audience demographic - I'm a fat middle-aged guy with twisted legs and a raised right shoulder. I don't ride clipless, and I don't ride a 3000 dollar all carbon bike.

Warning rant

Oh what a load of of self-loathing dung!

Your inspiring to a lot of people. You've had a rough go the last 6 months but that's no excuse for this type of negative talk dag-nab-it!

No sit down at the computer write up your story - the facts as you have presented them show the power of cycling for helping people turn their life around. So write it up- read it- and be inspired by yourself too! Neil - you owe it to yourself to celebrate who and what you have become instead of digging deeper into this load of stuff you appear to be feeding yourself!

rant over

[b_young]

^^^^^^^^

Amen.

[b_young]

Tom,

You need to get some of this to. I think you are a classic example of what they want.

[Tom Stormcrowe]

Funny you should mention that.......

I'm already in contact with them ;)

[b_young]

Good job!!!

See The Historian, its not so hard. Do it Man!!

[Tom Stormcrowe]

I'll agree, Neil, go for it!

[LittleChainring]

Despite what some might consider a morbid fascination with pro racing in general and the Tour de France in particular, Bicycling magazine has been responsive to suggestions from its readership. Specifically, over the last year they've added more features about female riders after getting positive feedback about one article and encouragement to publish more like that. This call could well be the start of a similar spate of articles aimed at Clyde readers.


I've been lurking on BF about as long as I've been reading Bicycling, and the continuing adventures of Tom Stormcrowe, bdinger, and the Historian have proven far more inspiring to me on a day-to-day basis than anything else I've read.

I say go for it. Not for the personal glory, but for those of us who aren't as far along.

[telebianchi]

I hope they end up with a good article.

I almost lost my lunch a couple of months ago when they put Patrick Duffy on the cover and in the article he mentioned he lost a whole 12 pounds due to riding. Don't get me wrong, losing 12 lbs is still losing 12 lbs. But I really didn't need to hear it from a TV/movie actor (star?). I dropped thirty lbs in six months last year and while I'm very happy I did it, in hindsight I don't think it was that big of a deal.

Major kudos to all of you who have dropped two, three and five times what I lost.

[racethenation]

[QUOTE=LittleChainring;7022331]...the continuing adventures of Tom Stormcrowe, bdinger, and the Historian have proven far more inspiring to me on a day-to-day basis than anything else I've read.
QUOTE]

+1 I am continue to be amazed at you guys (among others). If you guys can take off the kind of weight that you have, this little 100 pounds + that I am trying to lose this year is nothing.:thumb:

By the way bdinger, I just finished reading most of the way through your blog. It is a great story! Thank you for sharing.

[Joe Bifulco]

I'm VERY close to losing 100lbs purely because of biking, the other 127 can be attributed to exercise and the like pre-biking. I guess I will send 'em a story, what will it hurt, right?

Neil, you should definitely send them a story. Not because of how much you lost, but because of how much biking has impacted you. You couldn't ride a bike before, then you lost weight and turned into a bicycle touring and commuting monster! I'd imagine they can spin the weight loss however they'd like, you are still an inspiration to many of us.

Both of you guys are an insiration to me! Send in the storys.

Joe

[b_young]

[QUOTE=LittleChainring;7022331]

By the way bdinger, I just finished reading most of the way through your blog. It is a great story! Thank you for sharing.

+10000
Send it in.

[bdinger]

Wow, I'm humbled! Thanks guys, I sent it in under the premise that I want to prove the big guys CAN ride RIGHT NOW. I still hear from people that "I weigh 280 pounds, I don't think it's safe for me to be on a bike" when I talk about cycling to them. I'd love to dis-spell that myth, and maybe get one or two others on the bike.

Again, thanks. Means a lot to know that I had an impact!

[bdinger]

[QUOTE=LittleChainring;7022331]...the continuing adventures of Tom Stormcrowe, bdinger, and the Historian have proven far more inspiring to me on a day-to-day basis than anything else I've read.
QUOTE]

+1 I am continue to be amazed at you guys (among others). If you guys can take off the kind of weight that you have, this little 100 pounds + that I am trying to lose this year is nothing.:thumb:

By the way bdinger, I just finished reading most of the way through your blog. It is a great story! Thank you for sharing.

You read the whole thing? Wow! I need to go back through and read more of the older posts someday. I really regret not blogging more during the bigger stages, but to be honest for a while there it was good that I didn't. The whole "realization" part of the ordeal, when I realized how big I was after the newness of the dieting wore off was really brutal. Wasn't the most pleasant time, but glad I made it through.

Also, glad you read it! Thanks again!! :D

[racethenation]

[QUOTE=racethenation;7023342]

You read the whole thing? Wow! I need to go back through and read more of the older posts someday. I really regret not blogging more during the bigger stages, but to be honest for a while there it was good that I didn't. The whole "realization" part of the ordeal, when I realized how big I was after the newness of the dieting wore off was really brutal. Wasn't the most pleasant time, but glad I made it through.

Also, glad you read it! Thanks again!! :D


I have not finished all of it yet, but I have read from 2005 to 2007. I had read several of your posts, and I just wanted to know how you got started. Keep up the great work!

[Wogsterca]

Ah, but Ben, do you ride clipless? :)

I'm not sure I'd want to "kick the crap" out of roadies - despite some of the assumptions made about my posts, I'm not against racing or "roadies" - and I doubt I'd drop them anyway. I might outlast them, however. The 90 miles on a fractured rib riding a rut-strewn towpath shows some of my determination and stamina.

You know it doesn't matter if you can kick the crap out of a OCP roadie, with more invested in a bike then most people are willing to invest in a car, it all comes down to what the odometer says at the end of the year, a guy who weighs 115lbs soaking wet with a $10,000 fully custom 9lb carbon roadie, and all the team kit who has ridden 10 miles, versus the 220lb guy with the recycled 35lb mountain bike with 5,000 miles at the end of the year, who would you rather be?

[Alathea]

That optifast thing had to be brutal. I lost a lot of weight, joined the Army, got it GREAT shape, then had two vertebrae/discs ruptured in a training accident and so piled back on during recup and later. Its a pain *literally* to excercise most ways, but this biking thing has me stoked more and more. I read through 2005ish today. Wow. I love the post from the other day, though, where you blew ass home to beat our little cloud burst! I can only imagine what you looked like to sitters/walkers flying down the trail like a controlled madman!

Did you start riding right off or did that come later than 2005? Yours is a great story.

[Big Scott]

I've lost about 110LBS in the past year and a half...

http://members.tccoa.com/bigscott/Cougie/Greenville_07.jpg
Greenville, SC race 2007... (#613, I got dropped).

http://members.tccoa.com/bigscott/Cougie/greenville_win1.jpg
Greenville, SC race 2008 (I won!)

http://members.tccoa.com/bigscott/Cougie/Hi_there.jpg
Last weekend after the La Grange road race.


The funny thing is that I'm ranked #1 in the state of GA and 9th in the country (crap 5)!

-Scott

[bdinger]

You are my freaking hero. Send that in to bicycling, you are a sure candidate!

Also, so awesome that you are doing this as: 1.) a big dude and 2.) on a normal bike.

I've lost about 110LBS in the past year and a half...

http://members.tccoa.com/bigscott/Cougie/Greenville_07.jpg
Greenville, SC race 2007... (#613, I got dropped).

http://members.tccoa.com/bigscott/Cougie/greenville_win1.jpg
Greenville, SC race 2008 (I won!)

http://members.tccoa.com/bigscott/Cougie/Hi_there.jpg
Last weekend after the La Grange road race.


The funny thing is that I'm ranked #1 in the state of GA and 9th in the country (crap 5)!

-Scott

[bdinger]

There are times where I think I scare everyone off the path. Or at least, that's what I like to tell myself! :D

I started riding initially in late 2005, only a couple rides on a really ancient MTB. Then in Spring 2006 after a nasty car accident that left me immobile for a couple months and with extra weight, I started cycling. Haven't stopped since, don't ever plan to.

That optifast thing had to be brutal. I lost a lot of weight, joined the Army, got it GREAT shape, then had two vertebrae/discs ruptured in a training accident and so piled back on during recup and later. Its a pain *literally* to excercise most ways, but this biking thing has me stoked more and more. I read through 2005ish today. Wow. I love the post from the other day, though, where you blew ass home to beat our little cloud burst! I can only imagine what you looked like to sitters/walkers flying down the trail like a controlled madman!

Did you start riding right off or did that come later than 2005? Yours is a great story.

[Caincando1]

I've lost 150lbs. since I started cycling. That was in combination with walking/jogging and a little swimming and the proper diet. I'm not much of a writer though.

Big Scott, I have a man crush on your quads...

[bdinger]

I've lost 150lbs. since I started cycling. That was in combination with walking/jogging and a little swimming and the proper diet. I'm not much of a writer though.

Big Scott, I have a man crush on your quads...

You are also very humble, to the point where even I forgot your massive accomplishment. Seriously, you are one of the poster examples in this forum of what exercise and nutrition can do. :thumb:

[The Historian]

Neil, I really think you should submit one anyway. You're an excellent writer. Let them decide whether or not to use your story.


Thank you for the compliment.

Unfortunately, Bicycling would hardly find me interesting, because I've decided to give up cycling. If it's for a a short period of time or the rest of my life I don't know yet. The recent tour, and my touring companion, taught me just how ill-suited I am to cycling. I don't like doing things I don't perform with at least basic competence.

[bdinger]

Thank you for the compliment.

Unfortunately, Bicycling would hardly find me interesting, because I've decided to give up cycling. If it's for a a short period of time or the rest of my life I don't know yet. The recent tour, and my touring companion, taught me just how ill-suited I am to cycling. I don't like doing things I don't perform with at least basic competence.

That's extremely unfortunate to hear, espescially since I disagree with your statement. I see people daily who are, at best, dangerous cyclists. Your descriptions, and others descriptions of your abilities don't make you a Lance, but you aren't a slouch either. While a string of bad luck will certainly make one's faith lacking, I know this FIRST HAND, you have to stick it through the tough times.

I just would hate to see you fall into the funk that traps such fellows as Jumbo Rider, Rollerdavem, and others who seemingly faded into the shadow.

Plus if you give it up, I'll never have a chance to ride with you! Your choice is yours, I'd just hate for bad luck and ill feelings to ruin something that you so recently enjoyed very much.

[gregam]

Thank you for the compliment.

Unfortunately, Bicycling would hardly find me interesting, because I've decided to give up cycling. If it's for a a short period of time or the rest of my life I don't know yet. The recent tour, and my touring companion, taught me just how ill-suited I am to cycling. I don't like doing things I don't perform with at least basic competence.

SCR*W your touring companion, Don't let anyone get you down, keep riding and some day drop their sorry a**. I've ridden with quite a few riders that are faster, in better shape and on better bikes, and they have always given me encouragement to be better. Find a new touring companion, someone who will support you. :thumb:

[bcc]

Thank you for the compliment.

Unfortunately, Bicycling would hardly find me interesting, because I've decided to give up cycling. If it's for a a short period of time or the rest of my life I don't know yet. The recent tour, and my touring companion, taught me just how ill-suited I am to cycling. I don't like doing things I don't perform with at least basic competence.

That's a shame. I've certainly enjoyed reading what you have to say. I thought you actually enjoyed riding. Touring isn't the only way to enjoy yourself on a bike, no?

[B Piddy]

Agreed - If it's something you love, why quit?

Who gives a flying F what people say, think, throw at you...
I know I'm far from the best cyclist out there, but it makes me feel good, it's functional (in that I can get to places like work without my car), and most of all it's fun.

[st0ut]

Thank you for the compliment.

Unfortunately, Bicycling would hardly find me interesting, because I've decided to give up cycling. If it's for a a short period of time or the rest of my life I don't know yet. The recent tour, and my touring companion, taught me just how ill-suited I am to cycling. I don't like doing things I don't perform with at least basic competence.

you would so drop me i think. I ride every day but never over i do about 18 miles a day. 3 here 3 there. it adds up. you guys that tour and race and do multiple centuries a year is something i couldnt do.

Will i race (yes just to say i did my tri) I hope to even be competitive at best.
will i tour prolly
will i commute? hopefully New job is 25 miles

There are SOOOOO mayn things to do on a bike beside tour.
Helll take your kids / grandkids on a tab around the neigborhood.

the car will make you weak. not only physically but in reguards to this group mentally and spriitully as well.

take a break but leave your bike in sight where it will taunt you to ride it again.

[tea]

I sat there immobile, as usual, and thought cycling, like life, was for other people. Know I now life is for me.

That is EXACTLY it! Now I'm getting all teary, durn you! :p

[tea]

Thank you for the compliment.

Unfortunately, Bicycling would hardly find me interesting, because I've decided to give up cycling. If it's for a a short period of time or the rest of my life I don't know yet. The recent tour, and my touring companion, taught me just how ill-suited I am to cycling. I don't like doing things I don't perform with at least basic competence.

NO NO NO! Don't you DARE! Don't let some puny little -oy-there-is-no-word- undermine all you are and all you have accomplished. :notamused:

[Tom Stormcrowe]

Come on, Neil, put that butt in gear and go out for a dang ride. Am I going to have to show up in your town with a cattleprod? ;)

As I've said many times, I don't care if you ride 8MPH or 28, you're still off the couch and not feeling sorry for yourself. Life isn't easy and we are often as not our own worst enemy. I submit that right now, you are being your own worst enemy.

[racethenation]

Neal B.

I am truly sorry to hear you say this. You seem to have forgotten the joy of cycling. You have truly inspired and encouraged, me and countless others, but that is irrelevant. What matters here is why you learned to ride in the first place. I started to cycle to lose weight, but I continued to cycle because I love it. I love going fast, and I love going slow. I love struggling up hills, and I love flying down hills. I love reaching back and figuring out what I really have inside me when I am tired, and I am still miles from making it to the end of the ride. I love have time to my self to think, and I love to have the company of others when I ride. Basically, I love to ride. Find some way to get back to that love.

[The Historian]

That's a shame. I've certainly enjoyed reading what you have to say. I thought you actually enjoyed riding. Touring isn't the only way to enjoy yourself on a bike, no?

It's not a touring problem. It's a problem of my lacking basic competence on the bike, or my thinking I lack basic competence on the bike, which is practically the same thing. My last ride, with Bike Forums poster "dercola", saw me walking through bollards because I didn't feel I could control the bike well enough to ride through them. If I can't hold a line, what can I hold?

[The Historian]

(Snipped disparaging remarks about a person I rode 700 miles with.)

Trust me, no one is responsible for my decision but myself. However, I have taken advice and comments from others.

Incidentally, please don't disparage my former riding companion. He's someone I look up to and admire. And I'm sure you will find him a nice guy if you ride with him.

[The Historian]

Agreed - If it's something you love, why quit?



I thought it was something I loved too. I wonder if I loved it, or just loved being able to say I did it.

[The Historian]

NO NO NO! Don't you DARE! Don't let some puny little -oy-there-is-no-word- undermine all you are and all you have accomplished. :notamused:

I fear there is a mistake. I am the goy, not Neil F. :)

[vXhanz]

Neil,

Why not get some cones to practice? You can place them a few feet apart until you get comfortable riding through them. Then as time goes on make them closer and closer until they almost touch your legs. You can place them to weave around them, make circles or figure eights.

Don't give up because a lack of skill, just practice until you get better.

V