How rude am i ???
06-03-09, 07:57 PM
#1
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How rude am i ???
Hello all!
It dawned on me tonight that I have been a bit rude. I have been lurking and asking a few questions on this board since Oct last year and never introduced myself.
My name is Tom and I am currently living in Northern VA. I got back into cycling last October at 5'11" and 270 LBS (down from 298!!!). I bought a cheapo X-Mart Schwinn Ranger Hybrid bike to ride around with my son. At first, I could barely ride 1/2 mile without keeling over (we live on top of a mountain!)! Then some friends of mine finally talked me into coming riding with them for a nice flat-ish 26 mile ride. I was hooked!
I now ride 30 - 50 miles at a time after work a couple times a week. I am happy to say that with my dietary changes and cycling, I now weigh 220 LBS!
I know the bike choice is bad (BOY do I realize it now!), but it was a gateway bike to see if I liked it. We are currently a bit strapped for $$$ so I'll just have to stick with what I have for now. Even with the bad fit, ominous clunking from the BB when pedaling, and the harsh seat, it is a bike and I love riding!
In short, it is possible to be a big guy and ride a dept store bike long-ish distances if you find out that you just simply enjoy riding.
Anyway, I just wanted to say "Hi" finally and tell you all THANKS for the inspiration and all the help along the way!
It dawned on me tonight that I have been a bit rude. I have been lurking and asking a few questions on this board since Oct last year and never introduced myself.
My name is Tom and I am currently living in Northern VA. I got back into cycling last October at 5'11" and 270 LBS (down from 298!!!). I bought a cheapo X-Mart Schwinn Ranger Hybrid bike to ride around with my son. At first, I could barely ride 1/2 mile without keeling over (we live on top of a mountain!)! Then some friends of mine finally talked me into coming riding with them for a nice flat-ish 26 mile ride. I was hooked!
I now ride 30 - 50 miles at a time after work a couple times a week. I am happy to say that with my dietary changes and cycling, I now weigh 220 LBS!
I know the bike choice is bad (BOY do I realize it now!), but it was a gateway bike to see if I liked it. We are currently a bit strapped for $$$ so I'll just have to stick with what I have for now. Even with the bad fit, ominous clunking from the BB when pedaling, and the harsh seat, it is a bike and I love riding!
In short, it is possible to be a big guy and ride a dept store bike long-ish distances if you find out that you just simply enjoy riding.
Anyway, I just wanted to say "Hi" finally and tell you all THANKS for the inspiration and all the help along the way!
06-03-09, 10:22 PM
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you ARE rude! seems like you totally ditched you son after you rode with your buds...tsk tsk
06-04-09, 12:09 AM
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Me too.
I'm 258lbs today, riding a Schwinn "sidewinder" (they sell this bike under like, eleventy different names depending on where you get it) from Wally World. Boy do I wish I hadn't bought it. But, I'm putting at least a hundred miles a week on it now, and making plans and doing research for a better bike around Christmas time.
Of course like an idiot I sunk a few hundred into trying to make this bike work before I realized it's always going to be slow and always going to suck. Hence the sig image.
Next spring I will be a speed demon bombing up and down hills and dales. This year? Tortoise on the paved bike path with my department store special.
I'm 258lbs today, riding a Schwinn "sidewinder" (they sell this bike under like, eleventy different names depending on where you get it) from Wally World. Boy do I wish I hadn't bought it. But, I'm putting at least a hundred miles a week on it now, and making plans and doing research for a better bike around Christmas time.
Of course like an idiot I sunk a few hundred into trying to make this bike work before I realized it's always going to be slow and always going to suck. Hence the sig image.
Next spring I will be a speed demon bombing up and down hills and dales. This year? Tortoise on the paved bike path with my department store special.
06-04-09, 05:00 AM
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Me too.
I'm 258lbs today, riding a Schwinn "sidewinder" (they sell this bike under like, eleventy different names depending on where you get it) from Wally World. Boy do I wish I hadn't bought it. But, I'm putting at least a hundred miles a week on it now, and making plans and doing research for a better bike around Christmas time.
Of course like an idiot I sunk a few hundred into trying to make this bike work before I realized it's always going to be slow and always going to suck. Hence the sig image.
Next spring I will be a speed demon bombing up and down hills and dales. This year? Tortoise on the paved bike path with my department store special.
I'm 258lbs today, riding a Schwinn "sidewinder" (they sell this bike under like, eleventy different names depending on where you get it) from Wally World. Boy do I wish I hadn't bought it. But, I'm putting at least a hundred miles a week on it now, and making plans and doing research for a better bike around Christmas time.
Of course like an idiot I sunk a few hundred into trying to make this bike work before I realized it's always going to be slow and always going to suck. Hence the sig image.
Next spring I will be a speed demon bombing up and down hills and dales. This year? Tortoise on the paved bike path with my department store special.
There's a poster on the Touring Forum who rode his Wal-mart Sidewinder from South Carolina to Texas. As low-end bikes go, it's not bad.
06-04-09, 11:14 AM
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You don't have a chance! I've read a lot of your posts and you are just a big ol' teddy bear! Thanks for the offer though!Me too.
I'm 258lbs today, riding a Schwinn "sidewinder" (they sell this bike under like, eleventy different names depending on where you get it) from Wally World. Boy do I wish I hadn't bought it. But, I'm putting at least a hundred miles a week on it now, and making plans and doing research for a better bike around Christmas time.
Of course like an idiot I sunk a few hundred into trying to make this bike work before I realized it's always going to be slow and always going to suck. Hence the sig image.
Next spring I will be a speed demon bombing up and down hills and dales. This year? Tortoise on the paved bike path with my department store special.
I'm 258lbs today, riding a Schwinn "sidewinder" (they sell this bike under like, eleventy different names depending on where you get it) from Wally World. Boy do I wish I hadn't bought it. But, I'm putting at least a hundred miles a week on it now, and making plans and doing research for a better bike around Christmas time.
Of course like an idiot I sunk a few hundred into trying to make this bike work before I realized it's always going to be slow and always going to suck. Hence the sig image.
Next spring I will be a speed demon bombing up and down hills and dales. This year? Tortoise on the paved bike path with my department store special.
06-04-09, 12:50 PM
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Dear Mr. Navajo - :WELCOME: It is a pleasure to make you acquaintance. We are glad you are here and 50 pounds of is a great achievement. I imagine you are quite enjoying your new svelte self. Enjoy your lil ole bike! The new one will mean a whole lot more when you finally get it. Come on as a guest speaker on our lil Biggest Loser Thread and tell us how you lost your weight. Tips and Tricks if you will.
06-04-09, 01:04 PM
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Dear Mr. Navajo - :WELCOME: It is a pleasure to make you acquaintance. We are glad you are here and 50 pounds of is a great achievement. I imagine you are quite enjoying your new svelte self. Enjoy your lil ole bike! The new one will mean a whole lot more when you finally get it. Come on as a guest speaker on our lil Biggest Loser Thread and tell us how you lost your weight. Tips and Tricks if you will.
I'd really doubt that anyone would want to follow my example though. I'm sure I have been doing everything wrong!
It seems I am too stubborn/stupid to learn by example, I apparently NEEd to try to reinvent the wheel, as it were.But I will definately swing by the BLT thread and say Hi.
06-04-09, 03:54 PM
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I have ALWAYS believed that if you're in the bike game to lose weight that building a super bike is counter productive. So what if your bike is 5% less efficient or 20% heavier. Isn't that the point?
When you're heavy like I was, lighter pedals or space age hubs don't really buy you anything I don't think other than mental motivation, which is all good as well (provided you actually motivate).
Good on you. Ride what you got and upgrade when you can. I'd recommend learning how to wrench and getting some tools. Bottom brackets are pretty doggone cheap and changing one doesn't take long at all with the right tools.
John
When you're heavy like I was, lighter pedals or space age hubs don't really buy you anything I don't think other than mental motivation, which is all good as well (provided you actually motivate).
Good on you. Ride what you got and upgrade when you can. I'd recommend learning how to wrench and getting some tools. Bottom brackets are pretty doggone cheap and changing one doesn't take long at all with the right tools.
John
06-04-09, 06:52 PM
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I have ALWAYS believed that if you're in the bike game to lose weight that building a super bike is counter productive. So what if your bike is 5% less efficient or 20% heavier. Isn't that the point?
When you're heavy like I was, lighter pedals or space age hubs don't really buy you anything I don't think other than mental motivation, which is all good as well (provided you actually motivate).
Good on you. Ride what you got and upgrade when you can. I'd recommend learning how to wrench and getting some tools. Bottom brackets are pretty doggone cheap and changing one doesn't take long at all with the right tools.
John
When you're heavy like I was, lighter pedals or space age hubs don't really buy you anything I don't think other than mental motivation, which is all good as well (provided you actually motivate).
Good on you. Ride what you got and upgrade when you can. I'd recommend learning how to wrench and getting some tools. Bottom brackets are pretty doggone cheap and changing one doesn't take long at all with the right tools.
John
Seriously though, I do believe you have hit the nail on the head too. Fast is good, but for now, I just need to ride what I have and get in better shape.
I mean, I can't BELIEVE how much better I feel after only riding since last October.
My blood pressure is NORMAL and my resting heart rate is in the mid 50's. This is a HUGE change!
Once again, thanks to ALL of you for the inspiration, motivation and help!
06-05-09, 08:34 AM
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06-08-09, 10:17 AM
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I'm new also and starting out on a Wally Special. I was fairly embarrassed to even say what I had at first them realized it doesn't matter in the end. Congrats on losing all the weight!
06-08-09, 10:35 AM
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I'm new also and starting out on a Wally Special. I was fairly embarrassed to even say what I had at first them realized it doesn't matter in the end. Congrats on losing all the weight!
Baby steps!
06-08-09, 10:40 AM
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Well Navajo, welcome to the forum from a fellow Virginian. Lurking this forum is a great idea. Theres alot to learn from other peoples posts. I really feal that it doesn't matter what you start out on as long as you ride, so until you get a better ride just enjoy the sport of cycling. Also, congrats on the weight loss!
06-09-09, 12:09 PM
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It doesn't matter what you ride as long as you do ride... Years back I rode several Courage Classics (200mi 10k feet climbing over 3 mountain passes in 3 days) on two of them I recall meeting an Athena riding a Fuffy mtn bike and she weight well over 270 and made all three mountains. I also met her on a couple of STP's with the same bike.
06-09-09, 02:28 PM
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My first bike was a cheapo Diamondback Mountain bike from Dick's. I rode that for a while and saved up my money for a decent Kona Dew. Anyway, I just gave my buddy the Mountain bike in hopes that he will ride with me. The morale of the story is, the bike does not matter as long as you are riding and having fun doing it. Oh, and I jump on and over couches.
Couch
Couch
06-09-09, 06:56 PM
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The way I see it the longer you struggle on a crap bike the stronger a rider you will be when you get a better bike.
Seems to me that a lot of cyclists seem a little spoiled anyway. When I rode the Katy Ram Challenge back last April, I was one of the very few that rode their bike to the event. I rode 23 miles from my home to the event then decided to ride the 62 mile route then when the event was over I rode the 23 miles back (against the wind). All this on an SE Draft. A bike that just about anyone on the SS/Fixed board will tell you is a crap bike. Since it was a single speed I couldn't shift down for headwinds or hills (small ones but still) I had to deal with it with my own strength.
It shut up a few of the complainers too when they realized that the 50 year old fat guy was riding single speed, and he was having a ball.
Seems to me that a lot of cyclists seem a little spoiled anyway. When I rode the Katy Ram Challenge back last April, I was one of the very few that rode their bike to the event. I rode 23 miles from my home to the event then decided to ride the 62 mile route then when the event was over I rode the 23 miles back (against the wind). All this on an SE Draft. A bike that just about anyone on the SS/Fixed board will tell you is a crap bike. Since it was a single speed I couldn't shift down for headwinds or hills (small ones but still) I had to deal with it with my own strength.
It shut up a few of the complainers too when they realized that the 50 year old fat guy was riding single speed, and he was having a ball.
06-09-09, 07:58 PM
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06-09-09, 11:33 PM
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I'm new also and starting out on a Wally Special. I was fairly embarrassed to even say what I had at first them realized it doesn't matter in the end. Congrats on losing all the weight!
06-10-09, 07:02 AM
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You have to be careful with weights, Bicycle companies like Trek if they give a weight, usually give the weight of the bike, assembled and ready to ride, in a specific size. Companies like Wallyworld usually give the shipping weight which can be as much as 10lbs heavier. All that plastic and cardboard can add a lot of weight, as well as the 17 language instruction book.....
06-10-09, 09:12 AM
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It doesn't matter what you ride as long as you do ride... Years back I rode several Courage Classics (200mi 10k feet climbing over 3 mountain passes in 3 days) on two of them I recall meeting an Athena riding a Fuffy mtn bike and she weight well over 270 and made all three mountains. I also met her on a couple of STP's with the same bike.
That's impressive!My first bike was a cheapo Diamondback Mountain bike from Dick's. I rode that for a while and saved up my money for a decent Kona Dew. Anyway, I just gave my buddy the Mountain bike in hopes that he will ride with me. The morale of the story is, the bike does not matter as long as you are riding and having fun doing it. Oh, and I jump on and over couches.
Couch
Couch
Mine seems to just pick whichever gear it feels is appropriate no matter how I adjust it! 
The way I see it the longer you struggle on a crap bike the stronger a rider you will be when you get a better bike.
Seems to me that a lot of cyclists seem a little spoiled anyway. When I rode the Katy Ram Challenge back last April, I was one of the very few that rode their bike to the event. I rode 23 miles from my home to the event then decided to ride the 62 mile route then when the event was over I rode the 23 miles back (against the wind). All this on an SE Draft. A bike that just about anyone on the SS/Fixed board will tell you is a crap bike. Since it was a single speed I couldn't shift down for headwinds or hills (small ones but still) I had to deal with it with my own strength.
It shut up a few of the complainers too when they realized that the 50 year old fat guy was riding single speed, and he was having a ball.
Seems to me that a lot of cyclists seem a little spoiled anyway. When I rode the Katy Ram Challenge back last April, I was one of the very few that rode their bike to the event. I rode 23 miles from my home to the event then decided to ride the 62 mile route then when the event was over I rode the 23 miles back (against the wind). All this on an SE Draft. A bike that just about anyone on the SS/Fixed board will tell you is a crap bike. Since it was a single speed I couldn't shift down for headwinds or hills (small ones but still) I had to deal with it with my own strength.
It shut up a few of the complainers too when they realized that the 50 year old fat guy was riding single speed, and he was having a ball.
Yep, mine weighs 39 stipped down with nothing extra on it. But considering my largish posterior being on it when riding, I can't tell the 20 or so LB difference...
You have to be careful with weights, Bicycle companies like Trek if they give a weight, usually give the weight of the bike, assembled and ready to ride, in a specific size. Companies like Wallyworld usually give the shipping weight which can be as much as 10lbs heavier. All that plastic and cardboard can add a lot of weight, as well as the 17 language instruction book.....
AND A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL FOR MAKING ME FEEL WELCOME HERE. I have been a lurker for months and this place is an inspiration!