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Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) Looking to lose that spare tire? Ideal weight 200+? Frustrated being a large cyclist in a sport geared for the ultra-light? Learn about the bikes and parts that can take the abuse of a heavier cyclist, how to keep your body going while losing the weight, and get support from others who've been successful.

How long?

Old 08-04-10, 11:57 AM
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How long?

I am still trying to get in shape to do an even beginner amount of mileage. I think I did about 9 miles yesterday with the kid (which was actually pretty fun) which included a couple of decent little inclines. I followed this up with a shorter ride last night (where I could ride a few mph faster and about half the hills) which was about half the distance though.

Needless to say my legs are telling me about it this morning.

I am wondering how long it took for you all to get up a decent stamina to ride more often. I think I will take tonight off to let them recuperate. I didn't think I was THIS out of shape or maybe the route I am taking has more inclines than I thought it did LOL.

Oh well just thought I would check with all you.
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Old 08-04-10, 12:23 PM
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I started riding in April after a 15 year break. 5'6", 200+# and it's now August and I've put 1200 miles on the bike. I ride 30+ miles/day 6days/week and can ride for 60+ miles if I wish ( logistics have stopped longer rides, not endurance ). In that time I've also been counting calories and lost 35 pounds ( 20 to go ).

Ride 10 miles every good day this week and see if you can get it to below and hour. Next week kick it up a notch. Sooner rather than later you will be where you want to be.
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Old 08-04-10, 12:26 PM
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Stay with it and it will get there very quickly. I started with 8 miles in February 2009 and worked my way up to a century by July 2009, mostly doing my daily commute (8 miles in, 8-20 home depending on the route) with longer weekend rides. Weighed 360 when I started. Best advice I got was 2 days on, one day off. Don't over do it. But try to make yourself go a bit more than you did the last time each time you go out (either more distance or more hills).

You may hurt even more tomorrow walking around than you do today. Try to get on the bike for at least a couple of miles to loosen yourself up. The key (for me at least) at the beginning was to gut through the soreness and general rear pain to get myself to a point where my body acclimated to being on the bike and then it becomes normal fitness improvement/endurance building to extend rides.
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Old 08-04-10, 12:49 PM
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I started out last year at 6'1" and around 325 lb. After a few rides around town, I took a ride to my office and back and realized I could commute to work on my bike (14 mile round trip). So, I started doing that every day of the week year round. I felt it in my legs the first couple of weeks, either in sore muscles or simple fatigue. Since that initial breaking in period for the legs, no sore legs with the exception of some longer (40-50 mile rides w/ hills) or busy nights pedicabbing since I've started that.

Keep riding. It'll get better, as long as it's just sore muscles. (Note: If it's joint pain (i.e., knees), you probably need to adjust saddle height. Knee problems are often a sign that the saddle is set too low...)
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Old 08-04-10, 01:25 PM
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Originally Posted by EKW in DC
I started out last year at 6'1" and around 325 lb. After a few rides around town, I took a ride to my office and back and realized I could commute to work on my bike (14 mile round trip). So, I started doing that every day of the week year round. I felt it in my legs the first couple of weeks, either in sore muscles or simple fatigue. Since that initial breaking in period for the legs, no sore legs with the exception of some longer (40-50 mile rides w/ hills) or busy nights pedicabbing since I've started that.

Keep riding. It'll get better, as long as it's just sore muscles. (Note: If it's joint pain (i.e., knees), you probably need to adjust saddle height. Knee problems are often a sign that the saddle is set too low...)
I had thought about doing this but am not sure how to get to work without being totally drenched in sweat! I sweat like a stuck pig. I could get a backpack and change when I got there but would be afraid that I would bring a nice aroma to the place as well LOL.

I am trying to get all my gear together (I need to get a pump still and might get one that attaches to the water carriers0 and some pants, which I hear makes a ton of difference.
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Old 08-04-10, 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by BikerPat
I am still trying to get in shape to do an even beginner amount of mileage. I think I did about 9 miles yesterday with the kid (which was actually pretty fun) which included a couple of decent little inclines. I followed this up with a shorter ride last night (where I could ride a few mph faster and about half the hills) which was about half the distance though.

Needless to say my legs are telling me about it this morning.

I am wondering how long it took for you all to get up a decent stamina to ride more often. I think I will take tonight off to let them recuperate. I didn't think I was THIS out of shape or maybe the route I am taking has more inclines than I thought it did LOL.

Oh well just thought I would check with all you.
I think it depends on what you call "beginner amount of mileage"?

Two examples:

1) Me - Lact OCT at 6'0" and 378lbs my first ride was about 400 feet.
In 11/09 I had a TKR (total knee replacement)
By the beginning of July my longest ride was bout 38 miles, and I had a few 100 mile weeks.
FYI - I also have heart issues...
Rotator Cuff surgery bout 3+ weeks ago has me off my bike, but I *was* planning my first century in Sept

2) My wife - not been on a bike in 30+ years. First week = 8-9 miles total.
Longest ride to date is 18 miles. Has had her bike for a few months now.

My point is this - your condition, weight, and health issues, along with your desire - will determine how long it takes you to build up speed, endurance, and/or miles.

While I do not know the statistics, I guess people (adults) that will even consider riding a bike are the minority, and that every journey begins with the first step (of many).

Congrats to you~!

A un-asked-for suggestion? Focus more on riding every day, whether for 10 minutes, or ten miles... the rest will magically come to you~!
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Old 08-04-10, 02:14 PM
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Don't be too consumed by trying for a target mileage on some arbitrarily chosen timetable. Do what your body tells you it can do, but push it a little by adding 10% each week, and your mileage will increase plenty fast enough.
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Old 08-04-10, 05:37 PM
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"How long?"

As long as it takes. Their is really no timetable much like CraigB stated. It's not really about riding farther, faster just yet. Try to keep up with "kid" and soon enough both of you will be wizzing around the neighborhood with silly grins. Plus it will serve as motivation to keep up the good work. So congratulations and keep riding.
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Old 08-04-10, 06:33 PM
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I been back on the saddle for almost three months and I ride seven days a week 12-14 miles avg speed now is 12-13.7 mph It took me a good two weeks and as the days go by I keep getting stronger and the weight is coming off even though I am not doing a restricted diet like i should. like it was already mentioned ride as often as possible and concentrate on time more than distance which is what I do...
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Old 08-04-10, 07:13 PM
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I've heard advice of increasing your mileage 10% per week, so you can do some math to figure out about how many weeks/months until you hit a target mileage. You can see from that it will take a while to build up some miles at first but it increases more quickly after a few months.
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Old 08-04-10, 10:18 PM
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#1 If your legs are sore from those two days rides either take a day off or do a short ride very easy ride. If they're sore they have been used more than they are used to and need a little time to recover.

The main thing is ride 3 to 6 days a week and on a couple of those rides push yourself a little beyond what is easy. The distance will take care of itself.
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