mdf26

Hello all. So I finally, after 9 days, took my first ride. I'll attempt to explain the conditions during and before the ride. I'm 26 yrs old, I weigh 260-270 depending on the day. I work graveyard shift in a factory, 12.5 hour rotating shifts. I worked the past two nights. I got home this morning around 8am. I laid down to sleep around 11:30am and woke up around 3:30pm. So I had approx 4 hours of sleep in the last 27-28 hours. I have had a sinus episode going on as well for the last 3-4 days. The typical sinus drainage, congestion, pressure, etc. I was feeling marginally better today compared to the last few days. The temp outside before the ride was 54 with 8mph NW winds. Sun was already heading down so I was riding partial shade partial sun. Now then, to the fun/agonizing part. I took the bike from my house in the bed of my truck out to the main highway as I'm not comfortable yet to ride on my road. I find a good place to park and take off. I rode for only 18.5 minutes but I doubt I could have gone much more had I wanted. I have no idea how far or fast I went since I have no computer yet. I don't know if it was the cold air, the sinus crap, or just being a general fat out of shape guy but I thought my chest was on fire. I felt fine physically as far as legs, back, etc. My throat and chest burned with the fires or Mordor. I was fine on the first way (heading away from the truck) but on the way back I had the worst metallic taste in my mouth and pressure in my throat/chest. I doubt I rode more than maybe four or five miles and that is an utter shame. I guess we all have to start somewhere but I surely thought I could do better than that. So there it is, I have officially taken my new bike on her maiden voyage and I live to tell the tale. I hope and pray that this becomes easier! I hope to get out again tomorrow.







That last pic is exactly how I felt afterwards....lol!

Podagrower

It gets easier, I started out not long ago thinking "It's 3 miles to the bridge, and 12 miles to the lake an back, that's too far", and now, I think "It's only 12 miles to the lake". Sick and cold temps don't help either. Keep after it, even 1 mile is better than no mile.

Dad 2 3

TRUTH!!

Keep at it. After about a month you actually start enjoying the pain in a sick and twisted sort of way.

c_m_shooter

You did fine for the first ride. Don't bother counting miles until you are riding for at least an hour at a time. At your age you will build up a base pretty quickly. I bet you'll be planning a century by the end of summer.

MattFoley

When I first moved to the DC area 7 years ago, I bought a bike. Like most Americans, I then proceeded to ride it once and put it in storage. A couple years and about 30 pounds later, I pulled the bike out, lubed it up and put air in the tires, and went out for a ride to try and start getting in shape. I think I got about 2 miles before completely bonking. Now, the trail I was riding on is pretty hilly, but nonetheless my pride was pretty well shot after that. So back in storage the bike went, until I eventually left it for donation when I moved out of the building I was in. Fast forward three years and I, on impulse, bought yet another bike. But that time it stuck and I've been riding solidly for two years now and own three bikes. Last year I rode about 4500 miles, including four or five centuries, and I've already got about 1000 miles on the clock this year. I also started bike commuting full time, which gets me up to about 75-100 miles a week just in commuting miles. BTW, that trail that nearly killed me is now what I ride to work every day.

Long story short, going for that first ride can be quite the reality check. But if you approach it like a challenge, where you constantly are setting more and more ambitious goals and see your fitness/speed improve, it gets pretty addictive and fun...and it eventually can change your whole lifestyle. My wife and I went down to one car, I bike commute exclusively, and during warmer months, my bike is my primary mode of transportation for running errands and such. It's cheaper, healthier, and waaaaaaay less stressful than relying on a car. So keep at it!

LDB

A journey of 1000 miles begins with but one step. Not sure who said that but it fits.

the fly

Great job!

A computer is nice to have, if you get one try to get one with cadence. In the meantime, if you have a smartphone, download strava. You may decide not to bother with a computer (although it will drain your battery if you're doing loooong rides). A cheap heart rate monitor would be good too. I bought a Pyle off Amazon and it works better than my Garmin. Ridiculous.

Keep it up. I remember when I first started riding 8 months ago, I would pass a church and thought that would be a good place to stop, but I would push myself to make it to the next subdivision which was a whole 4 miles away from my house. I've since lost 45 lbs and done 2 centuries this year. Now I just beat myself up about riding so slow, and set a goal of a 5 hour century. When I pass by that church I'm reminded of how far I've come. I'm sure you'll do the same if you stick with it.

99Klein 

The cold is hard on my lungs too. Good job and keep it up, you'll get there.

nymtber

Keep it up, it gets easier! Roads here are salty, and I really should ride my exercise bike over anything, but its been nice the past few days (COLD, but nice) so I just go on walks. I walk pretty quickly, around 4mph, and my heart rate gets up there, so its still good quality exercise. And the fresh air and sunshine do more for me than riding no where in my basement

NICE looking bike, and great choice in water bottles! Camelback podium bottles are THE best bottle, IMO.

Neil_B

Bravo! Well done!

Now go out and do it again when you've recovered.

Wooden Tiger

Keep at it. I started off this year with this horribly defeatist attitude that I was "never going to improve." I've resumed riding and only have about 60 miles under me this year but I can already feel a difference in performance. Not to mention, I've also lost 4 lbs within those few rides.

I'd been pretty much off a bike since 2011 so I'm starting to get back into it. By the end of 2011 we were riding 20 miles like it were nothing. The most miles we've ever rode were about 32 miles, which IMO, is quite a distance.

I just didn't think I was ever going to see any changes, but changes have come surprisingly quick. Just keep pedaling away like everyone else has said. Pretty soon that tough "course" you took will become next to nothing.

mdf26

Thank you all for the support! I intend on getting back out this afternoon. The temperature should be about 10 degrees warmer than yesterday. I hope that perhaps it will be easier. If not easier maybe I can go a bit longer. I will update this evening when I get the chance.

Black wallnut 

Sounds like a good first ride. It may not get much easier but you will be able to go longer and farther with no more discomfort. You will also get faster. Add a minute or two a day until you are up near an hour in duration. During this time do not worry about speed or distance. You will need this time to become comfortable on your bike, not a natural thing. One other small piece of advice, get more sleep; your body needs it to rebuild. Proper rest, hydration and nutrition all are key to good health and fitness.

Chitown_Mike

Keep at it, I am only a few years older (29) and just a handful of pounds lighter, but once you start riding and dieting good things happen. Just don't let the winter keep you off the trails. It did to me and I almost gained back what I lost last summer.

Wooden Tiger

Riding in the cold isn't too bad as long as you dress for it. Also try to keep your knees warm as cold weather will cause soreness. You'll also burn more fat because your body will be working harder to keep itself warm.

This is so true. I lost four pounds within five days of riding and changing eating habits. It's surprising how quickly your efficiency on a bike improves. I barely did seven miles when I started and now seven miles is a walk in the park. By my third ride I was doing more than 10 miles. It was still difficult but I made progress quickly.

mdf26

My second ride took place today. I wanted to get out yesterday but was unable due to family stuff (wife wanted to get out of the house and I'm off this weekend). So today I got back to it. I rode 6.07 miles in 30min. I tracked with my phone using "mapmyride". It said average speed was 11.8mph. I'm not sure of any other stats. Today's ride was much warmer, almost 68 out and beautiful. I rode in shorts and was comfortable, temperature wise. Today my problems consisted of soreness below my groin, I know this is my saddle but I'm trying to give it awhile before buying a replacement. I want at least 50 miles or more before I make a call on it. Is 50 enough or should I push for more before I buy a replacement? Also I realized that I am stretched too far out. I believe I am going to replace my stem. The stem that came stock on the bike is 130mm which I can ride but I believe a shorter stem would be much more comfortable. I'm also thinking about getting an adjustable stem until I am able to ride properly in a road style position. I've got too much mass in my belly to be comfortable leaning so far forward. I thought I could use an adjustable until I've made some significant weight loss and then buy a more permanent stem once I know what is best. I hate to buy a fixed stem and have to keep swapping it out until I find something that works. I noticed today that my hands were trying to go numb and I have to pretty much fully extend my reach to reach the hoods. I can reach the flat bars decent but still feel a shorter stem would remedy most of this discomfort. I had no burning lungs or throat this ride so I'm going to attribute that to the colder air that I rode in the other day. I had some mild pains in my side but I think that is simply because I'm doing more than sitting on the couch. My legs are doing great, no soreness to speak of. So all in all a much better ride than two days ago. The pain below my groin was completely expected. I do see some cycling shorts in my near future by the way, lol. If I can fix the saddle and stem issues I could see myself doubling what I did today in no time. Great ride all together.

Chitown_Mike

I went through 2 other saddles before settling on the one I have now on my roadie. I actually borrowed this one from a co-worker to get one on the bike and found it to be the most comfortable. It's a Bontrager MTB seat that was new but scuffed up a bit. I haven't had a sore spot on it.

Also a good pair of padded bike shorts will greatly help. If you are weird about wearing lycra, get a pair of padded briefs and wear them under some shorts. I have a pair of well worn Canari's that I will throw gym shorts over and go. This summer will be my first ride out in lycra pants so I might be changing my screen name to Mr. Sexy Legs.

MattFoley

Dang...I can't imagine riding on any of my current bikes with a 130mm stem. Just eyeballing it, it looks like 130 is waaaay too long for you as well. My road bike (size 54) came stock with a 100mm stem and the shop swapped it out for a 90mm when they did my fitting. I can't quite tell from your photos, but it looks like you might want to lower the nose of your saddle slightly as well. It should be level, but the pic where your hand is on it makes it look like the nose is slightly upturned (but maybe it's an optical illusion). Moving the saddle forward slightly might also help get you slightly more upright, especially since you're so stretched out with a long stem.

Also, if you're legs aren't sore, that means you aren't riding hard enough

DaveSC

I am 250lbs and my first ride was only a couple miles, that was 3 weeks ago. Sunday I did 13.4 miles. Keep going it works.

mdf26

I agree, lol. I know I can go longer but between the groin pain and the difficulty being so far stretched I had to get back before I couldn't. Soon I'll be able to knock out longer rides!

shadoman

You may want to consider a stem that goes up at a steeper angle also. That way , the bars will be closer AND higher and you MAY breathe better.

c_m_shooter

That stem looks to be a quill, so the height is easily adjustable within its range.

shadoman

Yup, you're right shooter. I wasn't looking close enough.