Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Who Rode Today and How Many Miles For The Year?

This morning I rode my standard 4-mile commute to work. I also went to 2 spin classes of 50 minutes each at my gym before work. Spin class is not the same thing as riding outside, but it is similar enough, and not as boring as riding alone on an indoor trainer.

You never know about that woman on the trailer -- she may be dreaming about getting a bike! Watching a couple of people riding by her home may encourage her to do it.

I agree. Seeing thin friends of mine after a ride made me want to get a bike. But first I had to face the facts:

1. that I'd chosen, of my own free will, to be 400 pounds and sedentary;
2. that I'm responsible for my own choices and actions, and must face the consequences of those actions;
and
3. that I can begin to change myself, and my life, any time I like.

I agree. Seeing thin friends of mine after a ride made me want to get a bike. But first I had to face the facts:

1. that I'd chosen, of my own free will, to be 400 pounds and sedentary;
2. that I'm responsible for my own choices and actions, and must face the consequences of those actions;
and
3. that I can begin to change myself, and my life, any time I like.

Hm. I don't agree with any of those. Perhaps that is why I haven't gotten very far :p

1500 in 4 months? :eek:...That's ALOT alot!:D

That's the beauty of commuting. Every time I do it it's 25 miles and when you do it 4 or 5 times a week you start putting on miles without hardly trying. Going into the rainy season though I think I'm going to start slowing down dramatically. I'm too wussy to commute in the rain so I was only able to ride in twice this week. :notamused:

If an obese person is deterred by the comments of others, then they aren't ready for weight loss. You either ignore the remarks or work past it. I've applied that philosophy to both weight loss, and more recently cycling, in my life.


Not just speaking froma weightloss POV, and that may be true but I myself would only encourage any person to ride a bike or move towards healthier life no matter the case. I know there are some people that would love to try riding a bike but don't for the fear of looking foolish, they don't. I like to make them feel that it's ok and let them know eveyone feels foolish at one point or another. I surely don't fit the mold of a cyclist but I'm out there. Maybe I'm strong enought to break the mold so I try to encourage the rest of us mistfits to try whether they are ready or not!.:thumb:


Gina is a prime example. I had a hard time convincing her to ride. "I'm not built like a cyclist chick, my arms are to flabby, my butt is too big, I'm too fat, others will laugh at me" is all I heard. If I hadn't motivated her and encouraged her to ride, she's be sitting on the couch watching I Love Lucy reruns eating Twinkies! But with a bit of encouragement, there is one more person out there enjoying the bike and a healthier lifestyle. Not that she's the picture perfect cyclist, but she's doing much better than she would have been.:D

...and WE are HAVING FUN!;)

I agree. Seeing thin friends of mine after a ride made me want to get a bike. But first I had to face the facts:

1. that I'd chosen, of my own free will, to be 400 pounds and sedentary;
2. that I'm responsible for my own choices and actions, and must face the consequences of those actions;
and
3. that I can begin to change myself, and my life, any time I like.


#4..The people here encourage you to ride!:thumb:

Haven't ridden in two weeks; been nursing a cold. Hoping the weather improves this weekend.

#4..The people here encourage you to ride!:thumb:

Aside from people I've arranged to ride with, I haven't turned a pedal based on anything anyone has posted to Bike Forums.

Not just speaking froma weightloss POV, and that may be true but I myself would only encourage any person to ride a bike or move towards healthier life no matter the case. I know there are some people that would love to try riding a bike but don't for the fear of looking foolish, they don't. I like to make them feel that it's ok and let them know eveyone feels foolish at one point or another. I surely don't fit the mold of a cyclist but I'm out there. Maybe I'm strong enought to break the mold so I try to encourage the rest of us mistfits to try whether they are ready or not!.:thumb:


Gina is a prime example. I had a hard time convincing her to ride. "I'm not built like a cyclist chick, my arms are to flabby, my butt is too big, I'm too fat, others will laugh at me" is all I heard. If I hadn't motivated her and encouraged her to ride, she's be sitting on the couch watching I Love Lucy reruns eating Twinkies! But with a bit of encouragement, there is one more person out there enjoying the bike and a healthier lifestyle. Not that she's the picture perfect cyclist, but she's doing much better than she would have been.:D

...and WE are HAVING FUN!;)

I agree with your post. However, you can lead the Clydesdale or Athena to water, but you cannot make them drink. You might recall a recent post I made about a uber-Clyde co-worker I'm luring into riding. No one is moving those pedals but him. And he's the same person who will let those pedals gather dust. No amount of encouragement will change a thing. As they used to say in sales, you can't sell something unless the customer wants to buy it.

46 mile group ride this morning, about 2,000 YTD

...you can lead the Clydesdale or Athena to water, but you cannot make them drink...No amount of encouragement will change a thing.
I am a perfect example of this. From the time I was 5, I have always owned a bike. But from the age of 18 till I hit 48, I only did the obligatory ride with the family a couple of times a year (probably averaged 10 miles a year during this time). My wife and kids wanted me to go more often but I always had an excuse. I just sat around slowly putting on weight and avoiding physical exertion.

No amount of encouragement from my wife or kids made a difference (and beleive me, there was a lot). It didn't change until my attitude changed. I rediscovered the freedom of cycling and suddenly I wanted to ride. Now I'm the one pushing my wife to ride and she is really happy about that. My weight loss and better physical condition has impacted many areas of my life and I keep thinking how much better off I would be if I'd made these changes decades ago.


As they used to say in sales, you can't sell something unless the customer wants to buy it.
But the mark of a really good salesman is their ability to convince the customer that they WANT to buy it.

Lets see, today 68 mile group ride that puts me at 36?? ytd. a little behind but can still get 4,500 for the year.

First ride back since around August. Great to be back on the road bike. Almost forgot how much I loved it. (This guy prefers the cool weather.)

It was only about 8 miles or so, with plenty of hills, but it was a great start back. Son came along for the ride too.

Had been out with other health issues in summer. The heat and humidity of summer seem to play havoc with my asthma or something. Got well again for the rest of surfing season, then was just out 3-4 weeks with bronchitis.

Bought some used rollers this morning. I'm glad I tried them in a doorway! It'll take some getting used to, that's for sure.

Also spent some time on the trainer. Between the 2, about 40 minutes worth. But at a TT type pace. My legs are spent. Hopefully the weather will improve and I can put in some road miles this week.