just cant keep it to my self
 

well i have been lurking here for i dont know how long....but i had me a mini milestone today and felt the urge/need to post. i guess i just feel the need for positive encouragement every once in a while.....

today i completed my longest single ride to date...41 miles....and on my new (new to me) road bike...it isnt much compared to many but i feel....well i cant describe it in a few words....

for the info about me, i started riding this year at almost 300 lbs (5'10", 30yrs old) and as of last week i am 255.....i havent weighed less than 260 since i first got to college in 1996. i love riding and the more i do the more i want to....but people i know dont understand it at all.

i dont know what i expect by posting but i felt compelled to post....and to let you all know that yall guys/galls have really inspired me to do more....

WOOT! 41 miles is a heck of a ride. You don't have to explain the feeling, I imagine the grin is explanation enough.

I've been riding since mid May, and I can't get there yet. The knees aren't up to it yet, but they will get there. Might help if I slowed down and not flame out so early, lol.

As for folks we know not getting it, I think that is pretty common. Given time though, I bet they bring your riding into the conversation on their own the more you do it.

Congrats on the mileage and the 45 lbs. You do realize you're only 21 miles from a Metric Century......

You are going great! 41 miles IS something, don't belittle such a ride.

Jerry

Don't knock it - that's a hell of a distance and something you should be proud of. I'm not there yet, but it's posts like this that keep me pushing that bit further each week.

Excellent job!
SO you lost 65 lbs. of fat and gained 20 lbs. of muscle?
See- you did better than you thought!

I don't know what you expected by posting either, but what you get is knowing that you are helping to further inspire me and others! 41 miles! Wow man, that's still a dream to me! I've been back on a bike 2 months now, and I'm still hovering around the 20 mile mark, with most days around 15 or 16.
The weight loss is spectacular as well!
Don't let anyone tell you any different - I don't care if your bike came straight off a pile of junk. If it's making you smile when you ride it, and helping you to be an active cyclist, it might as well be made of solid gold in my book. My bikes aren't pretty, but you should see me grinning when I'm on them(well, when I'm not panting!).
Keep it up, and don't be a stranger!

Fantastic, congratulations! I hope to post the same some day. It is seems more plausible when you see others doing it. Thanks for the motivation!

That is great… I very rarely feel envious of anyone but… I’m almost there now.

I’m just under 300 lbs, and about 6’ but I have about 17 years on you. At this time it’s still a dream for me to do 20 miles…

Keep up the great work… that’s fantastic. I don’t know what you expected from your post either, but you have my respect for your accomplishments.

AWESOME! Keep it up!

Congratulations on your milestone.

I made my first 40+ mile ride this weekend too. But since it was on almost completely level trails along streambeds I somehow feel like it doesn't quite count. Maybe I'll make my own post if and when I get to 50 miles on normal roads with a few hills. Gotta have goals.

Good job on the ride and the weight loss! Keep pedaling.....

Mmmmmm I was going to bag my ride today but you got me inspired! Thanks for the encouragement!

Well let's review.

People don't understand you
You’re a cyclist - that puts you in the minority of people
You rode 41 miles - minority of people ride that far
You lost 65 pounds in less then 8 months - minority again
Hey you smile when you ride - ok, majority here.

This forum understands and embraces people like you. Thanks for sharing. Good luck with continued success. And please share more milestones along the way.

Awesome on all counts! Congrats!

Great job! Keep it up and you will think 41 is a short ride soon.

Great job ...

41 miles is a great accomplishment. But I have to say I'm more impressed by the weight-loss, thats just freakin' awesome!

I completely feel you on people around you not understanding. I finished my first 40-miler this weekend, got home all psyched about it and my wife was like "that's nice dear, go wash your stinky bike stuff" Total buzzkill.

Great ride! I'm hoping to hit a new best long-distance tomorrow myself--going to try for at least 60 miles but we'll see....best so far is 52 miles

As for people not getting you--same here! People just kind of look at me like "are you crazy". One friend said he had no concept of how I could 'sit on a bike" that long and wasn't there something else I could do that "would be more fun."

But he hasn't seen the smile on my face when I'm riding!

TAlchemist, you rock! There's just no other way to put it. Excellent job, you have my respect and admiration. Now go riding!

Talchemist - well there you go you are AWESOME! Wow - ok so share a bit for the audience how you achieved the weight loss...any big tips? Also how perhaps you got up to 41 miles of riding....

I think you are awesome! Skinny pretty soon too - Congrats! Just think how great you are going to (or do) look in your favorite outfit!!

Rock on!!

It's not much?... Are you kidding? That's HUGE!

41 miles. Frak man. I can't wait until I can do that.
Keep at it and keep having fun with it. :)

:thumb:

EDIT: Oh, and enjoy the new bike too! :) :thumb:

thanks
 

thanks for the encouragement, i think that is what i have been needing....i have been feeling a little run down lately from upping my weekly milage.

as for what i have done to lose, nothing more than increase output....i still eat what ever and when ever (less excess though) and ride to work (10 miles round trip) 3-4 days a week with a 20-30 mile ride each weekend....and i am starting to do my errands on bike as well....my old mountain bike makes a good utility bike for me.

now in addition to the bike riding i do 2-3 days of weight lifting a week...mostly upper body to balance all the riding out and as i lose i am gaining muscle and tone....i love that :lol:

41 is awesome! Once you hit 50 a century really isn't that much further away (especially if you have to get back ;) ).

Completely level trails along streambeds count. They often are the prettiest rides anyway. Please feel free to post them, or list your other accomplishments. No plus is too small to post about.

French Creek Road, Kimberton, PA:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/...e0dbf0bc_b.jpg