Mountain Biking - Most of you are pretty "fit," right?

I belong to the road cycling forum. I come here occassionally to see if maybe I can learn something about mountain biking and whatnot.

Anyway, I'm just amazed that many people on the ROAD CYCLING forum are....FAT. Like FAT, FAT. Fat. Not that being fat is bad but they're giving advice on how to work out, ride, what to use, etc. I know that shouldn't hurt their credibility but...they're FAT and on road bikes!

See, when I come to THIS forum, I'm under the impression that most of you really know what you're doing. Like doing jumps and stuff.

that doesnt matter lol.... the point is they're out having fun, and road cycling is a great way of loosing those extra lbs :)

As for us lot being super fit and know what we're doing Im sure there are alot of really fit people on this forum, but most of us are just normal guys having a laugh, and yeh, loadsa people on this forum know what they're doing...

I frequent both sides of the fence if you will... I don't consider myself fat but I could stand to lose a couple of pounds. I don't consider myself a guru either but I still try and offer what advice I can. This is the Internet and it's reader-beware. Everyone has something to say and everyone has a duty to make a judgment call on the advice they receive. FWIW, I bike not necessarily to get or stay fit. I'm not even sure if I'm fit or getting fitter or what. I bike because it's fun which I believe is really the first common priority of most riders.

i'm thin but i jiggle. O_o

I'm a 300lb lard ass with a moutain bike. I don't do anything crazy because I'm so fat. I'm also very conscious and embarrassed by my current situation so I am very careful not to criticize people on touchy subjects like that.

There are a lot of fat people out there that seem to not notice or care they are so fat. It's a big problem and I am sure its very annoying to health conscious people who share the same medical insurance with fat people, smokers and general careless individuals.

Riding a bike is a great way to get in shape though, so the more fat people you see on bikes rather than in the car is a very good thing for everyone.


I belong to the road cycling forum. I come here occassionally to see if maybe I can learn something about mountain biking and whatnot.

Anyway, I'm just amazed that many people on the ROAD CYCLING forum are....FAT. Like FAT, FAT. Fat. Not that being fat is bad but they're giving advice on how to work out, ride, what to use, etc. I know that shouldn't hurt their credibility but...they're FAT and on road bikes!

See, when I come to THIS forum, I'm under the impression that most of you really know what you're doing. Like doing jumps and stuff.

I'm a real beginner mountain biker, but I'm an experienced x-country and telemark skier, hiker, and all-round jock. I think mountain biking is the most strenous, butt-kicking sport I have ever tried. Ever. Five miles on a single track feels like a 10-mile hike!
This may be why mountain bikers seem to be in such good shape. I hope to join them soon!
ecc

See, when I come to THIS forum, I'm under the impression that most of you really know what you're doing. Like doing jumps and stuff.


I know that there is only a small group of people on this forum that actually know what their doing (maybe under 20 people).

I'm fat and I don't ride to loose weight. I'm running more often to loose weight. I ride whenever I can just because its fun. Not for health related reasons.

im a big guy, deffiantly NOT fit

i wouldnt ask for "actual advice" on this forum unless you want a Trek 4300. Its much better just for shooting the **** and getting moderated. People here are pretty ignorent on MTBs except a few of the regulars. (roasted,rip..or whatever the hell you call yourselves...and Klein and Math2p also) the verdict is still out on a2cyclenonuts though.

I'm not fat and I'm a hard training athlete.


I sorta expected the roadie joint to be in even better shape since theres less dicking around to be done on roads than on trails.

I'm not fat and I'm a hard training athlete.


I sorta expected the roadie joint to be in even better shape since theres less dicking around to be done on roads than on trails.

I'm in good shape and I know what's up, but I find that lots of people in this forum like to freeride a lot. I'm an xc geek, so I can't jive on that stuff very well. Not to mention the younger members who really don't get it, and the people who just berate others to pad their egos, and the "which bike" threads popping up all the time.

Anyway, I have some friends who are heavy, but can ride their asses off in club rides or shred on the trails. It's not about weight, because there's beer. After a club ride or mtb ride, beer and ribs or burgers are to be had with many riders. Not to mention the greasy pre-race or pre-ride breakfast. If you burn 3000 calories, but eat 4,000, you're gonna gain weight.

Bear in mind weight doesn't necessarily equal fitness... you can have great cardiovascular fitness but still be fat... I know some guys who are twice my size (literally--I'm 6'1 150lbs) that can blow me away endurance wise. Granted if they lost a few pounds they would probably be even more unstoppable, but as it stands their cardio fitness is pretty amazing for someone who's 300lbs-ish.

Im abit like that Seely, out of all my friends, who are pretty fit, im the heaviest (175lbs) but, some of them i can out-run, outride and out perform, but they're better sprinters, but i can usually beat most of them on a bike :)

I was 296, but three months on the bike has dropped me to 282, Im still working on the rest of it.

I don't post often here anymore, because this MTB board seems to be more freeride oriented. I like XC, and it seems there are few here who do that anymore. I'm also a bike geek. I like to piece bikes together, and love customs. Not interested in the least in the latest FS offering, but like stuff like Rohloff hubs, CX bikes, steel frames, thumbie shifters, yada, yada, yada. Anyhow, yeah, I'm in good shape as of right now, 180 lbs, and a couple weeks ago did 90 miles in 5.5 hours...

It's about the ride ...

I'm 5"-10", 230 lbs., spread over my body pretty evenly, but I have a "gut".
I don't know how fit I am, but I ride 2-300 miles a week regularly.
I don't know if I know much about cycling, but have been a serious road rider
since the mid 70s.
I don't care much about opinions (everyone has one), and if a "fat" rider can ride with me ... lets go.
If I see "fat" people on the road, they get my thumbs up ... cause they're out there.

It's ALL about the ride ...

i'm also 230 but an inche shorter but i was just thinking that i'm in better shape than i was 4 years ago. i got out the marines about 6 years ago. now i'm waiting for 5'0clock
so i can go for a ride while i eat my hotdogs from seven eleven.

just ride everyone

I think when you ride it should be for fun. When your all worried about loosing weight it takes all the fun out a riding. Ride for fun. Do other crap to loose weight! ;)

PS> Just got my fullface and pads today! Time to go all out YEAH!!!

I thought mtb riding was a great workout until i tried distance running, but that just sucks. I weight in a staggering 120 lbs at 5'7" and i thrashed myself through a grueling three miles of trail running and hurt for a few days. Running just isn't for me but i reckon that's a surefire way to fry some fat.

I'm quite fit for a 50 year old dude. I've been riding for 15 years consistantly on road bike's and mtb. I ride about 30-40 miles twice a week on fire trails and riverbeds. I also run up the trail once a week and during the summer I hike them with a 36-46 lb. backpack once a week.

I don't post often here anymore, because this MTB board seems to be more freeride oriented. I like XC, ...
Yeah, I'm with you. Where else do you visit? ridemonkey.com is pretty cool.

I don't post often here anymore, because this MTB board seems to be more freeride oriented. I like XC, and it seems there are few here who do that anymore. I'm also a bike geek. I like to piece bikes together, and love customs. Not interested in the least in the latest FS offering, but like stuff like Rohloff hubs, CX bikes, steel frames, thumbie shifters, yada, yada, yada. Anyhow, yeah, I'm in good shape as of right now, 180 lbs, and a couple weeks ago did 90 miles in 5.5 hours...

If you think this is fr oriented you should try ridemonkey or nsmb. This board is very xc in comparison. I think us FR/Dhillers just have bigger mouths and talk more :D...that 90 miles in 5.5 hours was on a mtb? Thats impressive.

I am not fit. Also not that worried about it. I am a big guy and like it that way. I could stand to loose some weight and am working on it, but never in my life would I sacrifice my size to look trim.

Yeah, I'm with you. Where else do you visit? ridemonkey.com is pretty cool.

I find that funny. I go to ridemonkey to escape this site. More riders doing what I love over there. Although I never venture in the xc forum there either :)

I find that funny. I go to ridemonkey to escape this site. More riders doing what I love over there. Although I never venture in the xc forum there either :)
I like the maintenance area (I like it here, too), and the regional forum. I haven't been socially active in either place. I wouldn't mind checking out other places, as well. I was a bit put off by the comments by BurlySurly and Klein- doesn't really make me want to post replies to people's questions here... I have found some comments to be very useful, esp. from you and moderators.

"Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods." - Albert Einstein

Well, I used to have 2% body fat, weighed 155lbs, would run 20 miles in a day; some of that in combat boots with a pack, gun, and gear. Now I'm 195 think most of it sits around my gut, I hate doing things that increase my heart rate, with the exception of scaring the hell outta myself on a good dh run.

I'm now fat and out of shape, I smoke, drink, and spend a lot of time at my desk telling other people what to do.

But you know what? I love to ride that is what it is all about. Hell I don't even get to ride as often as I want to, but at least I ride. I don't like to feel pain so I try to avoid going up hills, only down, I even hate to bike hike to get to the top.

But that is just what I enjoy. I used to have a job that not many in the world could do and if I want to be fat and lazy, I can honestly say I earned it.

Does all this mean I have no skill, knowledge about riding, fitness, and bikes in general? Uh... No Sir!

Some underlying fear you have?

Who are you asking? Blackdiamon?

Being fat is different from being fit. Some fatter people can do a better job than I can.

For the past 3 years I've been so busy with school work that I almost never worked out. I went to the gym twice and got onto my bike couple more times. 2 weeks ago I tried to go riding with some pros but was really ashamed to give up after just a short distance. So now I jog everyday after work and try to do as much as I can before I have to return to the freezing winter of Michigan. I hate the idea of working out in a gym. I rather do real stuffs, but winter is just too bitter.

I feel a lot better just with 2 weeks of jogging.... gotta keep it up!

Who are you asking? Blackdiamon?

Nope, this one, (thanks for the question :) , forgot to quote this one:


(Anyway, I'm just amazed that many people on the ROAD CYCLING forum are....FAT. Like FAT, FAT. Fat. Not that being fat is bad but they're giving advice on how to work out, ride, what to use, etc. I know that shouldn't hurt their credibility but...they're FAT and on road bikes!

See, when I come to THIS forum, I'm under the impression that most of you really know what you're doing. Like doing jumps and stuff. )

Ahhh...unerlying fear of fat ... haha...ok makes sense now :)

Im a big guy, not so big tough....
I like big mountain biker girls, anyone?

I have not the broad shoulders and skinny waist.more broad shoulders and broader waist.I enjoy xc riding and do not care what others think.if they are faster,i'll move over.if they are better, i'll try to learn from them.as far as who knows what on this forum,its relly a judgment call.if it fits your question try it.if not dont.as far as some who unless you think as they do you are of no value to the forum,well .I am quite a better rider due to some who think outside the stereotypical box.I live in va.not ca.or mi.orwherever.things have their own unique differences thru this great nation we live in,some here are from other nations as well.each member has a purpose for being here and I am tired of a few trying to express their desire to bash those who do not know as much as they do.do it in Pm

@ 42 & 165 lbs. I consider myself in pretty good shape. I ride about 10 - 15 miles everyother day year round (weather permitting or not). I only miss a ride if the snow is more than 5" deep.... I began riding 11 yrs. ago to defeat depression, and I've never looked back. You young folks won't know what I'm talking about, but I thank GOD that He gave me the direction to take.... Amen. Drugs R 4 Losers....

What do you guys consider "fat"? Almost all of my friends are big guys so when i think of "fat" people im thinking 5' 7" and 300+lbs.

I am about 5' 5" tall and weigh 140lbs.

Also I see plenty of "fat" roadies that are outstripping me on the flats and sometimes on the climbs!

What do you guys consider "fat"? Almost all of my friends are big guys so when i think of "fat" people im thinking 5' 7" and 300+lbs.

I am about 5' 5" tall and weigh 140lbs.

Also I see plenty of "fat" roadies that are outstripping me on the flats and sometimes on the climbs!

when i think of "fat" people im thinking 5' 7" and 300+lbs. yea that