Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - I knew I was slow, but.....

...when you're doing about 12.5mph on a MUP and you're passed by a guy who looks like he's anywhere from 60 and up, pulling his (probably) grandkid in a trailer, you know it's time for your fat clyde butt to work on some speed and to lose some weight. And not only did he pass me, it looked like I was almost at a standstill. :o

I know I'll never be a speed demon, but I'm sure I can improve on my measly 12.5 mph. I've been hauling around my 245 pounds for way too long. Time to get serious in both the weight loss and speed departments.

( thanks for letting me rant, I do feel better LOL )

:)

Don't worry, you'll get there. I was 255 lbs at the beginning of March. I've lost 30+ lbs since then and my average speed has steadily climbed as has my miles per ride. Just enjoy the ride.

I don't know... I've gotten dusted by some senior randonneurs riding bikes older than me, and I like to think that I've got some zip in my cadence.
Some days, you just get shot off the back no matter what.

Speed will come to us all (or so I keep telling myself) eventually.

You'll get faster as you ride more, but there's also the issue of what kind of bike you're riding. You'll usually be able to go faster at a similar perceived level of effort on a road bike than you can on a mountain bike, hybrid or cruiser.

A carbon bike will make a huge difference...and even different wheels and different tires can make a huge difference. Going from a heavy mtn bike to a light cross bike can be amazing. A year and a half ago I could not climb a small local hill that I don't even use my inner chain ring on now. The other day I passed a gal straddling her bike, walking up the hill. She cheerfully said Hi...and I almost stopped to encourage her but I was past her before I really gave it any thought. Speed and endurance don't come fast but if you keep at it they will. My big suggestion to everyone working at it is to get a heart monitor and make your riding both fun AND a good, doable aerobic pace which will make a huge difference as compared to just riding easily at too low a pace to really help you gain strength and stamina. A good aerobic pace is, by definition, doable for an extended period.

A carbon bike will make a huge difference...

Wow, I need a carbon bike! :D

Many guys who dust me don't have as good a time as I do...

Getting dusted isn't all bad when they are a pretty lady that says hi as they fly by. :) I am in my own world, doing my own thing riding and as long as I go fast enough to create a little breeze, it's fast enough for me. At least I can outrun the joggers, well, most of them anyways.

IRR, Don't worry about being dusted by an older rider, it's being passed by a kid on a big wheel that should be the wake up call.

Brad

...when you're doing about 12.5mph on a MUP and you're passed by a guy who looks like he's anywhere from 60 and up, pulling his (probably) grandkid in a trailer, you know it's time for your fat clyde butt to work on some speed and to lose some weight. And not only did he pass me, it looked like I was almost at a standstill. :o

I know I'll never be a speed demon, but I'm sure I can improve on my measly 12.5 mph. I've been hauling around my 245 pounds for way too long. Time to get serious in both the weight loss and speed departments.

( thanks for letting me rant, I do feel better LOL )

:)

I hear you; however, on a MUP 12.5 MPH is about as fast as someone should be riding... At least if there are pedestrians, blind spots, sharp corners, etc... :-)

at 240 when I first started riding, on a CX bike, passed by someone 25 years my senior who on a steel 3-speed, going up a small hill. Made me wonder what I was doing. 30+ lbs lighter and on a good fitting bike, I'm the one doing the passing.

I'm 384lbs my avg right now is around 10mph when I started riding 5 months ago I was at 7-9mph avg. It takes time for sure, like other ppl have said as you ride more the speed will come. Plus my bike is a hybrid so I'm not expecting to be able to hang with ppl on road bikes just yet.

Getting dusted isn't all bad when they are a pretty lady that says hi as they fly by. :)

thats all the motivation you need to go faster, if she passes you, you will speed up!!!

It's not a race.

People ride bikes for all sorts of reasons. Yesterday we had a company brunch, and they gave us lots of time to make conversation among ourselves. My group had two runners and a swimmer. We went around the table with one of the people asking everyone else what they do for exercise. I said I don't do anything for exercise when my turn rolled around, but I ride a bike about 100 miles per week for fun. If you're riding for fun, then enjoy your time outdoors under the sun, and don't let being passed ruin it. Every minute you spend on the bike, you're burning calories.