It all started around 8 months ago when my son said, "Papa I can't
wait till you are skinny so you can play with me" you can probably
imagine what that does to a dad but the very next day I started on my
diet. Using medifast and exercise I have now lost 100 pounds and am
now down to a svelte 250. :lol: I plan on getting down to 180 just to
see what I look like as a manarexic but around 200 is what I feel good
at.
I started exercising by walking, only getting around the block once
before I needed to rest. Ok so it is a big block and all hills but
still I was out of shape big time. I now job/run a couple miles a
night but that is getting boring so I decided to research bikes and
riding. After all I live in Portland and everyone and their grandma
rides a bike here. I am so glad I found this site and in particular
the clydesdale area.
So armed with all the information I had been reading I went to a
couple bike shops. The first couple I got the look, you know the one,
the "Oh **** this fat guy wants to ride a bike and I don't want to
help him" look. I told them what I was looking to do, start out riding
a mile or so a day and build up. I don't want to ride trails or jump
off rocks or hang upside down, I just want to ride a bike on the road.
They would more often then not barely talk to me and point me to the
mountain bike wall. I knew there were other styles out there for a
bigger guy so looked up local Surly dealers.
So yesterday I walked into a new shop and told the guy that I was a
noob, this is what I am interested in and please help me out. It was
the best bike experience yet. He answered my questions, gave
tips/suggestions and after test driving several bikes I bought a surly
cross check. He definitely treated me right and totally earned a
loyal customer, turns out he was also the owner of the shop.
So the bike comes in today and I should be able to pick it up on
saturday. I am totally excited about getting out and doing "new"
exercise. I plan on taking it slow, riding around the same place I
walk to "learn" how to ride a bike again. In my day we had one gear
and walked home in the snow both ways uphill and we liked it!:lol: So
yeah I will have a bit of a learning curve but like I said I am
starting slow, need to build that butt callous.
Tom Stormcrowe
07-11-08, 07:29 PM
Well, first off, welcome aboard! Great to have ya!
st0ut
07-11-08, 07:30 PM
wlecome to the madhouse.@ 350 you are welll on your way to a back in shape.
I wonder if there is a term of DILF that the girls use in theier super secret squirrel forum
10 Wheels
07-11-08, 07:36 PM
Congratulation on the Great Weight Reduction.
I started 7 months ago at 223 lbs. Lost 25 lbs to date.
Did 80 laps around the block one day.
On my first 6 miles ride I had to stop 3 times to rest.
Rode 4 times this week for 272 miles. Getting hot with 98* temps on the bike.
Go slow, speed and power will come.
Took my legs 500 miles to get ready for faster rides.
jyossarian
07-11-08, 07:40 PM
You can still get single speed bikes with a coaster brake. In fact, you can get a wheel built with a coaster hub and slap it on your Surly. Anyways, first rule of the clyde forum is: POST PICS!
Toad
07-11-08, 07:52 PM
Thanks all for all the fast greetings and encouragement. I been waiting all day to post that, special thanks to the folks who run this site and fixed it. I just got here and never posted anything but I was going through withdrawls because I couldn't post. I don't have any pics of the bike, just got the call that I could pick it up tomorrow. Got my helmet today, a nice big Giro that fits my enlarged brain perfectly.
Oh I can show you last summer at this time pic and a recent one. It is very hard to share this before photo. I just don't know how I got this far out of control but the key thing is I am on the road to being better and happier.
Yea, I know the look of which you speak. You did well to keep looking for a different LBS, and it sounds like you did well.
The Surly cult grows, indeed. And yes, we need, nay...demand!!!! pics of the Cross Check!
You have probably noticed a large faction of LHT advocates here. Nice to get another genome of the species.
You guys are going to force me to go look at these things eventually.
jaxgtr
07-11-08, 08:21 PM
Welcome and congrats on the weight loss. You will have fun on the Surly.
Fribley
07-11-08, 08:27 PM
welcome to the community.
You will absolutely love riding.
Congrats on the weight loss, if you are anything like me you probably still "feel" huge, but from those pictures you have already come a VERY long way and are doing great, biking will definitly help, is the only exercise i have done that i actually WANTED to do, not HAD to.
Looking forward to your updates.
c_m_shooter
07-11-08, 08:42 PM
Congratulations and welcome. You will love the Cross Check, it is a great bike. Throw some Continental Gatorskins on there and it will be ready for any roads you can throw at it. The stock tires aren't bad, just not a lot of puncture resistance.
Toad
07-11-08, 08:45 PM
welcome to the community.
You will absolutely love riding.
Congrats on the weight loss, if you are anything like me you probably still "feel" huge, but from those pictures you have already come a VERY long way and are doing great, biking will definitly help, is the only exercise i have done that i actually WANTED to do, not HAD to.
Looking forward to your updates.
You are exactly right. After 100 pounds lost and laser eye surgery and not huffing and seating everytime I take a step I still feel like the huge guy in that pic. I don't think I will ever get comfortable being in shape, or if I do it will take many years till I am comfortable in my body but damn I am looking forward in trying it out.
Oh and I don't think I will ever get/be comfortable wearing any thing like bike clothing. Might just be shorts and a tshirt for me. Nobody wants to see my big butt in spandex.
Fribley
07-11-08, 09:00 PM
Oh and I don't think I will ever get/be comfortable wearing any thing like bike clothing. Might just be shorts and a tshirt for me. Nobody wants to see my big butt in spandex.
It wont be long and this will change. I didnt think i would either, but i ended up buying spandex compression shorts from wal-mart, i wore them under running shorts. It was much better then just boxers. After my first fifty mile ride i was hurting pretty bad, bought my first pair of cycling shorts and i ended up wearing them under running shorts for a few rides also. Then one day i was out on the local path and it was a pretty cloudy day so the path was pretty much deserted and i took my running shorts off and threw them in the woods to be picked up on the return route, i havent looked back since. i ride mostly paths and its pretty rare to see anyone long enough to inspect thier clothing choices, i usually find myself watching for the type/brand of bike they are on. Plus its a pretty good boost to the ego when the pretty lady joggers are complimenting you.
Tom Stormcrowe
07-11-08, 10:23 PM
Once you try it, you won't care what other people think, Grasshopper. ;) It's just too comfortable. :DYou are exactly right. After 100 pounds lost and laser eye surgery and not huffing and seating everytime I take a step I still feel like the huge guy in that pic. I don't think I will ever get comfortable being in shape, or if I do it will take many years till I am comfortable in my body but damn I am looking forward in trying it out.
Oh and I don't think I will ever get/be comfortable wearing any thing like bike clothing. Might just be shorts and a tshirt for me. Nobody wants to see my big butt in spandex.
Wogsterca
07-11-08, 10:25 PM
You are exactly right. After 100 pounds lost and laser eye surgery and not huffing and seating everytime I take a step I still feel like the huge guy in that pic. I don't think I will ever get comfortable being in shape, or if I do it will take many years till I am comfortable in my body but damn I am looking forward in trying it out.
Oh and I don't think I will ever get/be comfortable wearing any thing like bike clothing. Might just be shorts and a tshirt for me. Nobody wants to see my big butt in spandex.
You know feeling comfortable at a smaller size, takes a lot less time, then you think.... Speaking of think, bike clothing is worn because of function -- not looks, it really doesn't matter what others think it looks like, bike shorts are designed the way they are for a reason, first is that there is no centre seam, the problem with a centre seam is that your putting your weight on it, so it will irritate. The shorts are tight because loose material can cause chaffing in an area most people don't want to see chafe. There is often a padded centre section, this isn't to pad the seat, it's to absorb dampness, dampness that weakens the skin, making it more susceptible to injury from friction.
As for the top, cycling jerseys (and runners jerseys which are a little thinner, and don't have a rear pocket), are much better then a T-shirt. Jerseys are made from a material which draws sweat through it, and evaporates it out into the air, this keeps you dryer and more comfortable. You need at least 2 in short sleeve for summer riding, and one long sleeve for cooler weather riding. Jerseys have one problem, they need to be fairly tight for the sweat movement mechanism to work properly.
cohophysh
07-11-08, 10:32 PM
Welcome, welcome, we don't live to far away from each other. The others are right about the shorts/bibs/ I don't care what I look like...even got called a name from a cager the other day...I can take all the insults they chose to hurl at me
bigtruck
07-11-08, 10:43 PM
Welcome Toad, Be careful cycling can become very addictive :), Hope to see some pics of the bike when you get it, Good luck
neilfein
07-11-08, 11:08 PM
Welcome! Seriously, wear what you want. All the talk about wicking and seams... I wear bike shorts and a synthetic tee for any rides over a few miles, but it's street clothes for local cycling. What's important is that you get in saddle time, so wear what you feel comfortable in.
donnamb
07-11-08, 11:47 PM
So yesterday I walked into a new shop and told the guy that I was a
noob, this is what I am interested in and please help me out. It was
the best bike experience yet. He answered my questions, gave
tips/suggestions and after test driving several bikes I bought a surly
cross check. He definitely treated me right and totally earned a
loyal customer, turns out he was also the owner of the shop.
So the bike comes in today and I should be able to pick it up on
saturday. I am totally excited about getting out and doing "new"
exercise. I plan on taking it slow, riding around the same place I
walk to "learn" how to ride a bike again. In my day we had one gear
and walked home in the snow both ways uphill and we liked it!:lol: So
yeah I will have a bit of a learning curve but like I said I am
starting slow, need to build that butt callous.
Awesome! :) Which shop did you go with?
seenoweevil
07-12-08, 01:32 AM
Wow dude! You are a mere shadow of your former self, and I mean that in the BEST possible way! Congrats, hello, and a big Atta Boy! for choosing the Surly. Yeah, we want the pics!
DnvrFox
07-12-08, 06:03 AM
Good on you, and welcome!
Wear what you want, but I will repeat myself here:
When I swim, I wear a swimming suit
When I hike, I wear hiking clothes
When I play tennis, I wear tennis shoes and shorts
When I bike . . . .
Well, you get the point.
For many of us larger types, BIBS are the best answer - they don't slide down the tummy.
Here is me maybe 5 years ago at about 235 lbs WEARING BIKE CLOTHES! (I am down to 215 right now.)
http://members.aol.com/dnvrfox/SVI_0021.JPG
It can be done.
You have a cute daughter in the picture.
Mostly, HAVE FUN - it won't be long before you are pulling a trailer with your kid(s)? in it.
richking1953
07-12-08, 10:04 AM
Welcome, congratulations on your progress so far, and best wishes for continued success.
Those 1st two bike dealers were jerks, I'm glad you found a good one after that. I too am looking forward to pix of the bike.
Bike shorts make a huge comfort difference for me. I've been in a hurry and just gone out and jumped on my bike in street clothes and have been noticeably less comfortable. There are "mountain style" shorts that have an outer layer that looks like regular shorts and an inner padded layer if you don't feel like making a fashion statement in spandex. :)
pontiac_paulie
07-12-08, 11:09 AM
I am a "newbie" as well, and I was interested to read your thread. Your reason for exercising so you could play with your son is brilliant in my opinion.
I used to be in great shape and then I hit 44 and the warranty on my body was up. My shoulder blew out, I couldn't run, climb or kayak anymore. I was 160 Ibs,
After finally getting my shoulder fixed, everytime I ran I developed nagging injuries, and finally found road biking.
It was great, it didn't hurt, at the end I didn't feel beat up.
Now I am still at 207Ibs, I started riding a little while ago, and hope to loose some weight.
I was lucky enough to be able to play with my daughter as she was growing up (she is now 16), and that is why your story touched my heart.
Good luck and keep us updated
Paul.
heckler
07-12-08, 01:35 PM
i like bibs too, never had shorts sliding on me but the bibs have a little corset action going on... i like how i look in them :)
(PS not that they are too tight or anything, they just kind of compress the "loose" parts on me and slim me down a bit)
Toad
07-12-08, 07:22 PM
So I picked up the bike today, had them put on some fenders and I brought the bike home, after stopping at REI for some psuedo bike shorts, the ones that looks like regular shorts but have the butt pad in them. So I am home, take a couple pics and then take off. Holy crap when did biking get so hard! I swear my neighborhood is all hill either I am trying to get my butt up them or I am scared crapless and jamming down the breaks going down them. I made two laps and I am exhausted. Seriously that sucked! But I am going to get better and pics of the bike will be posted after my heart attack. To get motivated I walked down the hill to the 30 and cheered the bikers coming from seattle.
Toad
07-12-08, 08:31 PM
Awesome! :) Which shop did you go with?
I got the bike at 7 corners bike shop, small but very very helpful. They will get my business from now on no matter how far I have to go to get to them, bike gallery can bite my big butt, heh
Good on you, and welcome!
You have a cute daughter in the picture.
Mostly, HAVE FUN - it won't be long before you are pulling a trailer with your kid(s)? in it.
Thanks but that is a boy in the pic, I have three kids, two boys and finally a girl 6 weeks ago. The boys both have long hair and are pretty like their dad, heh. The trailer comes as soon as I can pedal without being scared of hills and speed!
If you want to see a couple more my there is some on my flickr page: http://flickr.com/photos/toadkiller/
My legs are still shaky and tired an hour later with only a short short short ride, this might be tougher then jogging.
bcc
07-13-08, 05:54 AM
Welcome! - It might be tough now, but you will find you can go further and faster the more you ride - it's amazing how quickly it gets better. Nice bike :)
Glad you've found a decent LBS - that helps no end too.
DnvrFox
07-13-08, 06:02 AM
Thanks but that is a boy in the pic, I have three kids, two boys and finally a girl 6 weeks ago. The boys both have long hair and are pretty like their dad, heh. .
:o:o
txvintage
07-13-08, 06:31 AM
NICE RIDE!!!!!!!!!!! I seem to be gravitating towards either White or Black bikes, lack of imagination possibly, but I like'em.
Don't worry about the near death experience of the first ride. You will be amazed at how fast you progress by just sticking with it. In no time you will look back on ride #1 and chuckle as you pull in from a 20-30 mile quickie.
Toad
07-13-08, 04:16 PM
Wow day two and I pushed it a bit further. Instead of gettin g out on the surface street of HWY 30 I stayed on the hills near my house. I figure if I can build up the necessary muscles on the hills first then flat lands won't be so bad. As incentive I rode down the hill and watched the riders finish up the seattle to portland ride. Man what a ton of bikers going by and it was so inspiring to pick out the clysedales in the bunches, many of them bigger then me and watching them conquer this 200 mile ride. Might be me next year.
Anyway I did about a mile up the hills then barely made it home. I tried walking up my stairs to the bedroom to jump in the shower but my muscles didn't want to cooperate. I pretended to stop and play with my kids for about 10 mins till my muscles quit quivering. it was a good pain though.