thebigdiver

Don't worry about what others say about you. I'm 6'4" and 295 lbs. I don't worry about what people say and usually you won't get any lip from the "skinny" people because they are afraid of Clydesdale. Be the Clydesdale! Big, Strong, slow and steady! We all need to relearn that "Sticks and Stones will break my bones but words can never hurt me!" I wear REI biking tights because they are comfortable. I've tried other types and brands of bike pants but mine work and I don't care what anyone thinks so Clydesdale on!

Dave Cutter

Ride. Bicycling is a pure joy at any age and any weight. Don't let your brain trick you into staying on the couch. You deserve cycling.

Kyburg

After not riding for a year and a half and tipping the scales at 345, I finally broke out my road bike this summer and started riding again. Haven't heard a disparaging remark from anyone. I'm now down to 309 and I've rekindled my love of cycling. I still have a long way to go but that's OK.

You will break things on your bike. It happens. I broke a spoke and ended up upgrading to a 32 spoke wheel. I've broken my rear derailer. Sure, I hate dropping the coin but it beats the alternatives - being out of shape, continuing to gain weight, and generally being an unsexy beast.

indyfabz

I will answer your question with a question: Who is "we?"

And so you know, a lot of what is posted in the road subforum is intentionally snarky. A lot of busting chops goes on there, although there are some who are quite serious, but that's true in any sport. Personally, I try to look more than half way decent when I am doing something other than commuting/running errands and the like, even when I tour. No torn and/or stained jerseys. No jerseys that hang down below my butt cheeks because I bought them on line to save some $$ and they didn't fit but I kept them anyway because I saved some $$. No bad beer jerseys or jerseys bearing the likeness of any current or former breakfast cereal mascot, Lonnet Tunes charcaters or one or more of the Three Stooges. Socks that go with the jersey and shorts (which are always black) color-wise. And I NEVER wear an event jersey during the event. That's a major no-no in my book. I did the Bon Ton Roulet last month. The first day a lot of people wore the (unflattering) event jersey. I just shook my head and tossed mine in the trunk of the car. At the end of the event I gave back the jersey because I knew I would never wear it. YMMV.

Pamestique 

Story: I rode in my favorite mountain bike park yesterday. There is a "intersection" called "4 Corners" where riders can meet up. I was there having a snack. A group of about 8 very fit, young, strong looking riders came up. They also stopped to figure out which trail they would do next. One asked me "where did you come from" assuming I came up the main trail which is rated "easy;beginner". I told him I rode up "Sycamore" (a very steep, narrow, rocky/rutty trail for 2 miles) to North Ridge (fireroad but very steep grade for another 2 miles) to McDermott (a fast, hairy downhill). He just stared at me; didn't know what to say other then "woooooowwww..." I said "I didn't say it was easy..." and he said "rode it yesterday; that's a tough climb"...

Here I am a old, fat, lady and there he is, a young, slim, fit young man... we did the same thing. Now I laughed and said "I bet your time was faster!" and he said "Who cares; doesn't matter"....

He's right doesn't matter... ride your bike and don't care what others think - it's all about you and what you are doing for yourself. If people want to make rude or nasty comments, well they don't know better and they have no manners... I have two very very good friend who are also capable riders... I think one is about 350 lbs and the other around 300... so no you aren't too fat to ride a bike...

And following up on what Indyfab said... yesterday this very large man rode up to 4 Corners. Remember this was mountain biking. He was in a stars and stripes, red, white and blue roadie jersey that was too tight and lycra shorts also red, white and blue and too tight. Truly a sausage in a casing drawing attention to his size especially since mountain bikers, except those racing, tend to wear looser clothing. Just don't be "that guy"....

Willbird

"We" are the people engaged in conversation in this thread IMHO :-).

I'm pretty sure as I add cycling gear I may end up with some mismatched stuff, not dirty or torn though, and my socks may NEVER match the rest of the outfit, and probably I may always run mtn shoes and pedals :-).

Wearing an event jersey to the event would seem to me line wearing a concert tee shirt to the concert, major DOH :-). I'm waiting for my sizes to settle down before I lay out major cash for cycling gear....bonedragger shorts and target wicking shirts are the uniform of the day right now :-)

JonnyHK 

Go for it.

If the wheels on the bike are up to it, then you have no excuses!

Screw what others think - you'll be having fun and doing some good while out on your bike.

baron von trail 

Don't worry about what the roadies think. Set a few modest goals. Try exceeding them. Take it one ride at a time.

Ghefty

I was 365# when I began riding again 15 years ago. I broke spokes on every ride and had my rear wheel rebuild 3 times in that first year. I'm now 265 and still much larger than most. Just enjoy the fresh air and ride, you may get a couple of comments but I suspect most will be of encouragement.

dagray

I started at 390 and 6'3"....I picked up a Raleigh Revenio 2.0 when I hit 380.... I say get your gear on and go ride, and if you break a rim or blow a tire get it fixed and keep riding.

I put on my bibs, jersey, cleats, and eye protection and went out with my almost 14 year old son for three miles last night (I almost had to coast so he could keep up... we will be riding more).

MattInFla

Dead last finish beats did not finish, which greatly exceeds did not start!