Need-A-Bike

Ok wow, what an experience. The bike I have says Ross on the side of it,not sure of the manufacturer. OK this expereince indeed was rough, painful, challenging, and exciting all at the same time. I havent road a bike since I was like 10, and tried to ride one when i was 15 but instantly broke the bike. Im now 23, 6'4.5 and 450 lbs. My goal is to get to 350 (not sure how i should time frame it though) And after that I want to lose even more wieght. Ok my apartment building is on a hill, ,so i started off downhill, and truthfully it was a very wobbly unbalanced ride a first (i remind you its been 13 years) and 2 minutes didnt go by when i started feeling extreme pains on my bottom! (is it possible to get bigger seats?) But being a football player most my life i know how to fight through the pain, and so i did. i decided to ride to my campus which is give or take 10 miles awhile (maybe less) first i noticed my leg started cramping (i tried to stretch a little before i left) but eventually it went away, the most difficult part was the bottom side pain, my butt really felt a lot of pain, legs felt pain (but the good workout pain) but my buttock area felt very sharp stinging pains. i got to my school, rested a little bit and drank water, on the way back it was mostly walking with the bike next to me and riding sometimes, again this was more so because of the butt pain, because my bottom is huge.

I must say this was an excellent work out, and i feel a strong sense of accomplishment, I wanted to stop several times on the way there but refused, walking back from my college was also a great workout, it was a win win situation, i know im going to be sore in the morning, but i love that feeling because its evidence that you worked hard. now i will enjoy a good night rest! PEACE

P.S. im new so tell me if my post was way to lengthy! I'll try to post more pics of me and my bic soon.

RT

Keep up the good work. The weight will come off. After a decade of debauchery, smoking, drinking and other sinful things, I couldn't walk a mile around my local park without stopping to heave. I wondered how I'd ever get past it. Just do something every day - doesn't have to be a century, just something.

CACycling

Keep it up! As for butt pain, first make sure you adjust the seat correctly and that you are sitting with your sit bones on the saddle. You may be wide but your sit bones are pretty much fixed regardless of how much soft stuff you've got back there. Avoid the temptation to get a wide, soft saddle as they will only bring relief on very short distances.

Tom Stormcrowe

You might also look into a set of padded shorts. Aerotech designs makes them for Uberclydes at https://www.aerotechdesigns.com . You can wear a pair of loose shorts OVER the lycra if you feel self conscious, I did at first, I can guarantee you. There WILL come a day though that you notice you look pretty good in Lycra.

By the way, Ross is the MFGR. It's not a bad bike......

jyossarian

Ross is still in business? Anyways, most of us clydes have huge asses and most of us ride normal sized saddles cuz out sir bones are about normal width. Lots of people will say get a Brooks saddle cuz they're comfortable (I ride one!), but you can also go to your LBS and get sized using the Specialized sizing thing. It measures the width of your sit bones, then they match you to the appropriate width saddle. Do a search for saddles and you'll see more in-depth info about factors to take into consideration such as width, hard vs. soft, positioning, etc. Stick with it and good luck!

Takabrash

Congrats man, I weigh about 175 less than you, and I know there's no way I could have done 10 miles when I first got on. Keep it up!

Elkhound

Congrats!

I second that you should form a good relationship with your LBS. Get your bike adjusted and any special equipment.

I also second that a wide gel seat would not be a good idea long term. I use an Easyseat--much better for the male body than a standard 'horned' seat.

Everyone's bottom is different, but I find Brooks instruments of torture.

jakereed

Those shorts look pretty good and are very reasonably priced. Do you know how the quality is?

tpelle

Nope! Long gone. Their former factory site is now a superfund site.

I have an old Ross Gran Eurosport hanging out in the shed. It was my first serious road bike, bought it new, and got it out last spring when I became interested in bicycling. I cleaned and lubed it up, put on new tires and tubes, and rode it until I bought my Surly Long Haul Trucker. The Ross is back hanging in the barn.

Tom Stormcrowe

Very durable and comfortable, and they are US sized and go to many XXX's. I have a pair that's three years old, use them on the spin bikes in the Gym because they are too big, really now.

Andy69

10 miles, great job.

Need-A-Bike

i didnt pedal the whole time tho, sometimes i rested my legs, peddaled a little and rested again

Tabor

Also doesn't have to be cycling related. Cross training is GOOD. Walking, hiking, and swimming are also very beneficial.

You could just have an aweful saddle. However, even with a good saddle it will take the tissue in that area some time to get used to.

EDIT- 10 miles each way? Excellent!

Tom Stormcrowe

That's pretty much how we all ride, unless we're on a fixed gear bike. Pedal and coast, pedal and coast.....repeat as necessary. As time goes, you'll get faster and ride longer. You're off to a great start!

jakereed

That's how I ride also. I find that as time goes on I coast far less now, and I'm sure you will too. Keep up the good work, you're going to love the results.

Need-A-Bike

i just rode again tonight, im thinking its more so 10 miles back and forth, more so then 10 miles up and 10 miles back( i dont think im good at the mile measuring thing!)and how long does it take for your butt to get use to the saddle? oh yeah and it seemed a little harder the second time then the first time except this time i ignored the butt pain better, but it seems my left leg kept burning out quicker idk why, am i overworking my muscles or is this something my body will get use to?

jakereed

I think resting is just as important as exercising, you're just starting out so try not to over do it.

Black Shuck

And remembering to spin the pedals lightly, not pushing hard on the downstroke only.

Need-A-Bike

yeh i'm thinking I might walk that distance today and let my tush rest a lil, or will that make it harder if i dont ride everyday

Tom Stormcrowe

Nope, it won't make it harder, but I'd suggest for now, just a tiny short ride at least almost every day, if just for fun It toughens the butt and helps you "Get the habit" instilled. You don't have to commute every day though.

I've also been thinking, and as your bike is set up, you have a pretty upright position, right? You actually may benefit from a wider saddle, but not so wide it restricts your circulation. I can't remember the seatpost style you have, is it the "old style" pipe post or does it have saddle rail clamps....

I need to know so I can make a saddle recommendation that might ease your pain. (I also may have a saddle to give you out of my parts box. ) I'll need to also know if you can measure the width of your current saddle and post a decent pic of it.

Need-A-Bike

ok i'll take some pictures tonight, and measure it for you thanks, i'll post it tonight

Tom Stormcrowe

Measure it in MM, as that's how saddles are measured., well, I can convert as well.....

Measure it across the widest point where your sit bones will be.

Also, if you have a Specialized Bike dealer near you, they have a tool to measure the width of your sit bones, literally called the Ass-O-Meter. Its a pad of memory foam on a card you sit on and the dents in the foam show where the Ischial protuberences of your pelvis are (Your sit bones).