Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - An Intro

Hi everyone,
Brand new Clyde here. I'm 6'3" and currently 240lbs, and I'd like to get down to ~175lbs.
I used to ride everywhere as a kid but when I turned 16 and got my first car that kinda just stopped :lol:

My roomie was kind enough to lend me his 2000 Diamondback Topanga that he hasn't used regularly since, well, probably 2000, and I'm already starting to think about making changes to it like tires/tubes, a better seat (I want a Brooks, I think), I need to get a good light kit for it. My wrists are killing me, and I think I need to raise the handlebars; I've already lowered the seat lower than I've read to be correct height. I just can't figure out how to raise the bars up.
My roomie had a tune-up done on it last year because he was going to start riding again, but he ended up just hanging it back up in the garage, so I think I'm probably okay there?

I've been back in the saddle for a couple of weeks now, and have already managed to increase my distance to ~6 miles and up my endurance considerably, though a half hour is still about my limit, and it is a sloooooow half hour, but I'm working on it.

My goals are predominantly fitness related. I gained a bunch of weight during the winter of '07 while going through chemotherapy and haven't been able to lose it yet. Of course, it has taken the last year just to get over the chemo side effects and the thyroid-like issues that I ended up with.
I went with biking because my knees are shot, and I'd try swimming but I'm afraid I'd drown :lol:.
While I work on the weight-loss, I also want to build up my speed and endurance to the point where I can do the 10mi round-trip to work in traffic safely. My car gets good mileage, but the bike is better. It's way more fun too :lol: .

Anyway, I've been reading here for a couple weeks also, so I just wanted to introduce myself, and give a "shout out" to the Lincoln, NE riders (Not that ya'll know me or anything, but I'm a born and raised Lincoln boy. :thumb:)

So, uhm, Hi everyone! :lol:

Welcome!

If you can afford it, take yourself and the bike to your LBS. They can measure you up and adjust the bike to your size, or recommend you get a different bike. Fit is very important, especially if your knees are shot. My first bike gave me some knee pain because it was the wrong size. Once I was fitted for a bike my ailments went away.

Glad to hear you got through the chemo.

I was once 6'3" 175 back when I was 17. That's awfully skinny for a full-grown adult.

Welcome!

If you can afford it, take yourself and the bike to your LBS. They can measure you up and adjust the bike to your size, or recommend you get a different bike. Fit is very important, especially if your knees are shot. My first bike gave me some knee pain because it was the wrong size. Once I was fitted for a bike my ailments went away.

Glad to hear you got through the chemo.

Thanks :)
Are shops generally pretty good about that sort of thing?
I can imagine most would rather fit me for a new bike rather than for one I already have.

I was once 6'3" 175 back when I was 17. That's awfully skinny for a full-grown adult.
It does seem like it doesn't it? I also haven't been that skinny since high school. But, according to most BMI charts, that would put me at 22, which is at the middle of the normal range of 18.5 - 24.9.
If I don't make it to 175 exactly, it's okay, it's just a goal. They're made to be modified. :lol:

I was once 6'3" 175 back when I was 17. That's awfully skinny for a full-grown adult.

Same here at 17.

6' - 2" looking for 175 Lb from 200 lbs.

Welcome aboard, Tim. My wife is a cycling cancer survivor as well. Good to have you here.

Welcome aboard!

Pretty much any LBS will do a fit. Some are more technically advanced, and some are more old school in their approach. The only difference in fitting a carry in bike and a new bike is that the fitting is usually included in teh new bike cost.

I'm down to bone on bone in my left knee after my last clean up, and I try and not think about what is going on in the right knee:notamused: Getting your bike set up is about the most important thing you can do to keep you on the bike. When I first started back in May I had several days it just wasn't worth it to me to ride because of knee and back pain. It's an easily removed obstacle that can shout at you when approach the bike.

This IS supposed to be fun, and what ever pain and soreness comes with it is supposed to be accompanied by a feeling of accomplishment and a grin. :speedy: