Fifty Plus (50+) - I finally did it. I am now in the N+1 club

Well, cycling wasn't making the sciatica any worse. In fact the sciatica seems to be improving in small steps. So, I pulled the trigger. I got the 2012 Giant Defy 1.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v515/iamender2/GiantDefy_2.jpg



Oh, and here I am as a spandex warrior....

but with FLAIR!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v515/iamender2/GiantDefy_3.jpg

You know you need another bike, don't you? That's how N + 1 works, you know.

Well, cycling wasn't making the sciatica any worse. In fact the sciatica seems to be improving in small steps. So, I pulled the trigger. I got the 2012 Giant Defy 1.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v515/iamender2/GiantDefy_2.jpg



Oh, and here I am as a spandex warrior....

but with FLAIR!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v515/iamender2/GiantDefy_3.jpg

Like the Blue......Dang you is a skinny guy.

nicely done sir

Nice machine.

I also like your bike.

Very nice.:thumb:

Like the Blue......Dang you is a skinny guy.

Thanks.

As for being skinny...I am now...back at the end of August 2010, I weighed 251 lbs. Now I weigh 147 lbs.

Sweet!!!

Very sweet machine, ride the wheel's off of it and ENJOY!! :)

Not sure anyone noticed, but I had the LBS put on Gatorskins instead of the default tires. I took the default tires home as back ups.

My LBS gave me 15% off all the accessories I bought since purchasing the bike(tires, bag on the top bar, water bottle, water bottle cage, spare tube, cycle computer)

Looks so sweet Mike, glad you pulled the trigger! Now a ride and pie choice report are in order form you. Keep on riding my friend!

Bill

Thanks.

As for being skinny...I am now...back at the end of August 2010, I weighed 251 lbs. Now I weigh 147 lbs.

Very impressive!! The bike is cool, too.

I can't believe I forgot the PIE!!!! Being diabetic though, I have to be careful with pie. Mmmmmm, blueberry, or cherry, or... But, I did celebrate with an Italian sausage with sauteed onions and green peppers on nice bun at Costco last night.

I can't tell the wife my weight any more...she's frustrated with hers at the moment...btw, I checked this morning and I'm actually 145. Don't regret that treat I had yesterday now.

That's a very nice looking bike and I'm sure it will give you many miles of enjoyable riding. I really like the color combination. I bought a set of 25 cm Gatorskins to replace the Kenda OEM tires on my Defy and had about 150 miles on them when I purchased the Colnago, in January. I had the LBS swap the tires out because I like the ride of the 25 cm tires over the 23's that came on the Colnago. So far they have over 1,400 miles on them and have not had the dreaded f word. I have the Vittoria tires from the Colnago on the Defy, which I'm trying to sell.

Way to go Mike, enjoy the new ride.:thumb:

Congrats on the weightloss and the bike.

Bikey Mikey only needs to say "WINNING". Great going all around!

By definition we are all in the N+1 club...

Love the new bike, especially the blue accents. Go out and ride!

Congrats! Hope you get many happy miles on it.

You know you need another bike, don't you? That's how N + 1 works, you know.

So what's the next one going to be?

Did 23 miles on the new bike. I had to stop a couple of times. Butt was hurting--not sure if it's because the saddle is not that great, or because I'm in a new position and not used to it compared to the really cushy comfort bike seat and its position. I got fit yesterday at the LBS and several adjustments were made. I think I'll need to give the saddle several rides before making an accurate evaluation.

I was conservative with the ride so my speed wasn't that much different than on the Diamondback comfort(The avg was faster though and more consistent throughout--definitely easier in the climbs). I need to get used to the new position and balance. Left hand did some tingling--might have been griping too tight in addition to the carpal tunnel I have. Need to get comfortable holding on with only one hand so I can shake the tingling hand back to normal. Comfort and confidence with balance will come quickly I'm sure.

Woo hoo. Very nice.

I had to stop a couple of times. Butt was hurting--not sure if it's because the saddle is not that great, or because I'm in a new position and not used to it compared to the really cushy comfort bike seat and it's position.

Had that happen when I got my N+1. The OEM saddle on the Defy was a wider saddle then the Colnago saddle. After my first thirty mile ride on the new saddle, my sit bones were sore to the point that it hurt to sit. They got better a few rides later and now the new saddle is broken in and very comfortable. And yes, the new riding position will take a few rides to get used to.

Yesterday, I mounted the Airstrike aerobars that I got last year for Father's Day on the Colnago. I tried yesterday to go from the hoods to the aerobars and back and it looked as if I was riding drunk; swaying all over the bike path. Went and practiced some more today and did a lot better. I think I figured out a way to get the hands to the aerobars and back without swaying the bike from side to side. More practice is certainly needed. The aerobars also put you in a slightly lower position than riding the drops so that is also going to be something to work on.

Not sure anyone noticed, but I had the LBS put on Gatorskins instead of the default tires. I took the default tires home as back ups.

My LBS gave me 15% off all the accessories I bought since purchasing the bike(tires, bag on the top bar, water bottle, water bottle cage, spare tube, cycle computer)
Hope you realise that these defy's are a Special machine so it is a good job you are a lightweight. But putting all that weight onto the frame is going to slow you down. Bag under the saddle--in fact two--Bag under the Bars and the size of that water bottle:innocent:

Good choice- Now all you have to do is post it under the 2012 N+1 Post and join Club Tombay:eek:

Good choice.

Edit--See you have already replied on the N+1 post.

@Stepfam,

There's nothing in the bag on the top frame under the front of the saddle so I'll likely take that off. The water bottle is an insulated one, so not as much more water fits in it than a regular bottle. The under the seat at the rear bag has a spare tube, patch kit, multi-tool, and 3 plastic tire changing tools and it's where the Radbot 1000 hangs--so that bag's a keeper. Got to keep the pump. What really adds weight is the MagicShine 808e + battery(what appears to be the bag under the bars)--I want to be seen in the daytime, so it's going to stay. I guess I need to get stronger to go faster. Here's my fingers crossed so that club Tombay is one I never join.

@John_V,

When I rode yesterday on the test ride and then later to go take pics, I felt like I was re-learning to ride a bike and was really nervous moving the hands. At times I bet I looked like I was drunk riding the bike. In the later half or last third of the ride today, I was able to ride one handed to get my left hand feeling normal again much more easily. I need to get used to, confident with, and good at using only one hand on the bars so I can signal when I need to turn. Getting into the drops doesn't seem to be too much a problem, but getting out is still a tad shaky.

Those wheels are the ones I bought as the winter wheelset for the TCR. I have elevated them up to normal ride wheels but that was after getting them detensioned and retrued by the LBS. They have proved to be a good set of wheels which does surprise me for OM wheels. On the bags:lol: It was the first thing I saw when I looked at the pic and it did look odd. I am not used to battery bags for lights as I use lights with battery enclosed but I now do the longer rides with lights on blink in the daytime.

Saddle and I found the OM one fine------- for 6 months. I then went back to my slightly padded Flite saddles and they work for me. In fact I am up for another one as my N+1 bought recently is causing butt ache.

All you have to do now is get the mileage in. And doesn't sound as though that will be a problem.

Congratulations on your new bike and the weight loss!!

I believe saddle discomfort is normal until your body acclimates to the position. At least is was for me. It took months and 1000 miles before I really felt comfortable on the saddle. I did change saddles, the original saddle was curved in the middle creating excessive pressure. Which is why it's important to find a saddle that works for you.

As for hand discomfort.....are the wrist straight or bent? Are you leaning to far forward with weight on the hands and wrist? Check the position and weight, you'll need to tweak something since tingling will lead to problems and make riding very uncomfortable. And since you already have carpal tunnel, you may not be able to find much relief. Plus road vibrations can really amplify the issue too.

Also, even though you have drop bars, riding in the drops could prove uncomfortable. Try riding on or around the hoods more, or on the top of the bar. I'm always mixing up the position to keep static pressure at a minimum. I think this helps when new to road cycling and when riding longer distances.

Balancing on the bike takes some practice with skinny tires and a shorter turning radius. I still struggle trying to signal a turn. Either I need to go really slow and sit more upright, or I spin a lower gear faster (high rpm cadence) when making the tun. I definitely like to have both hands on the bars when turning.

Good luck and have fun....

Thanks.

As for being skinny...I am now...back at the end of August 2010, I weighed 251 lbs. Now I weigh 147 lbs.

Gorgeous bike! But this statement of yours has me curious - how did you manage to drop over 100 pounds? What's your "secret"?

Thanks guys for your experiences.

I am definitely giving some time for my butt to get used to and to evaluate the saddle and position. I remember my butt hurting at first on the really cushy comfort bike.

I'm figuring out the best option of weight on my hands, hand position. I am riding on the hoods mostly and some on the flats. If there were a break handles for the flats, I would feel better having the hands there. I even change the position on the hoods in subtle ways. Right now, I sometimes stop peddling, move my knees in a bit to touch the top tube and remove a hand...seems to give me more confidence in balance...but most of the time that I have removed a hand, I've kept peddling...just a tad slower. Haven't been in the drops much and not planning to do so often. I did go in the drops at one point when it felt like I was getting more of a head wind.

I thought about getting 25s instead for a bigger profile on the road, but I'll stick to the 23s right now...may get 25s later.

Forget who said it but it was on this forum. Looking behind and I always wobbled over the road but followed the advice given and put my hands on the flats----NEARER the stem. Cured the problem instantly. Hands and I have put it down to having the correct padding in the correct place in the gloves but my N+1 had white tape that I was going to change but it felt thicker than other tape I have used before. I thought there may be a reason for that so fitted it and it works. Good padding- whether in gloves or bar tape- does help. The question of 25's V. 23's has been discussed many times. No definitive answer as to which are better or worse has been found,. It is down to personal preference.

And since today really was the official day of my first ride with my N+1, I had pie. I keep my diabetes under really good control and since my weight is just fine...and the wife complains I'm too skinny, I felt okay to reward myself.

Since it doesn't happen without pics, here's the proof.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v515/iamender2/BluberryPIE.jpg

You are off to a great start. Go get the miles and smiles!

I had pie.:thumb:

And it looks delicious!

Nothing left to do except ride, enjoy.

Nice ride.

Your choice of 23's or 25's depends on what sort of roads you ride on and your own personal preferences. It can also depend on the tire as well. I wore out the stock set of tires on my Roubaix in the early fall for a pair of GP4000 Black Chili's (23's) . A much faster tire with about the same ride.

Hand problems ? Keep moving them around and keep your arms and hands relaxed and always wear a good pair of gloves. Thicker bar tape will help a lot as well.

Now you've got me thinking about N+1...

Gorgeous bike! But this statement of yours has me curious - how did you manage to drop over 100 pounds? What's your "secret"?

Revisited this post to get the link to my self portrait...decided to re-read the responses. I realized I never answered your question DG. For the weight loss, it began when I changed diabetic medicine, Victoza(subcutaneous injection--not insulin). This medicine has a side effect of slowing gastric emptying and making you fill full sooner. So, I started eating less and immediately lost 6 lbs in a bit over a week--at this time I started walking and got up to 4 miles/day/5-6 days/week--also with eating less, ate better/healthier. By March '11, I had lost 67 lbs, but I had developed some blood blisters on the feet. I decided to get a bike so it would be easier on my diabetic footsies. The rest of the weight I lost doing cycling/eating better and riding 5 to 6, usually 6, days per week and 20 miles/day. I believe in October or November I started riding 23 miles/day/6 days/week.

The thing I have to do now is make sure I eat enough so I don't loose too much. One time I was down to nearly 143.