cccorlew

Months ago I posted here for advise about getting ready for a short hill-climb time trial. It's a no big deal local event. I never compete, but I did it last year and even though I was 3rd in my age group (in a very small field) I got no web-site love because they only posted sub-11 minute riders. I was 11:10.

Anyway, I got advise here. Hermes saw a photo of me and suggested "losing 5 pounds."

Now, I had gone from 193 to 153 and was feeling pretty good till then, but I realized he was right. Dropping a few would help on that ride. So, publicly humiliated and inspired, I tossed in a measure of no wine and less food to my training plan.

This morning I hit 139.8. That's darn near 60 pounds since I started, and 13 since the infamous "lose five." comment. I haven't weighed that since high school. My pants have gone from 38 to 31 and even they're loose.

The frightening part is that I'm still not actually thin. I'm just less fat. I'm that bike-racer rail-thin that can goes so fast. That's likely 10 pounds away, and I don't think I'll ever see it.

But, importantly, thanks to you all for hints and inspiration!

The Time Trial is Saturday. I have voodoo-light tubes in the Ultremos. I have the Sidis ready to be extra-tightly-buckled. I have high caffeine coffee at the ready. I have lightweight socks. I waxed the bike so it will be slipperier in the air. After all that there's sure to be a huge headwind.

Anyway, we'll see.....

RESULTS LATER IN THREAD, POST 19

Cleave

Hi,

Very impressive. Good luck with the TT.

stapfam

I have a mate at work that 3 years ago had a heart attack- He is 5'8" tall and weighed 300 lbs. After the attack he bought a bike for the 10 mile commute to work- started going to the gym and eat a lot healthier. He has lost a heck of a lot of bulk. Still a large lad but he is definitely slimmer.

So what are you doing wrong?

In fact I am wondering what I am doing wrong. I have always been a lightweight at 145 lbs- but this winter- I have put on 12lbs. Still been riding and the only thing different has been a change of Job. I now do a lot more driving out to the customers instead of walking round the warehouse sorting problems.

So good luck for Saturday and remember- If you get a placing- It's PIE all round. I want to try that Quay Lime you have over there.

jppe

It is VERY scary thinking that folks are actually taking and using the advice taken from here. However you will be very pleased with what a few less pounds will make. Plus the better conditioning from getting to the lost weight.

I'm predicting a 10.39 finish.

Now-get some DT Swiss wheels like Palt and you will be passing the guys ahead of you.

Rick@OCRR

Great job dropping all that weight! I've been trying to get 155 lb. for two years now (after getting down from 180 to 165. Can't do it; very frustrating.

Good for you though, someday maybe I'll get there . . .

Good luck on your TT!

Rick / OCRR

Hermes

This was a scary thread for me. Anytime you see your name in the title of a thread that you do not start, it is cause for investigation. Curtis, first congrats on losing the weight and focusing on improving on the event. And I know how tough it is to get to the point you are at today.

Bravo and go get em in the TT.

maddmaxx 

Here's my advice...............listen to Hermes. Velodiva does (maybe) and she kicks ***.

donheff

Impressive weight loss. Good luck on the TT and send us the link to the winners page

DiabloScott

1. Good luck and kick @$$. I won't be there this year.
2. Congrats and being thin is worth it even if you don't break 11 minutes.
3. This is more of a power rider time trial with a steep hill at the end than a skinny guy hill climb.

palookabutt

Yay! Glad to know I'm not the only poseur with a set of Ultremos. They are light as hell, and tread on those suckers feels like adhesive. I only wish I were capable of testing their limits.

HopedaleHills

cc, now I know where my pounds came from. You! I went in the opposite direction over the winter, 153 to 165. I feel like a freakin blimp. Time to stop eatin and get riding! Good Luck with the TT.

cccorlew

I actually promised myself a new jersey "Poseur" if I could get under 140 for even a second. The company is out of medium right now, darn it. So the question is, do I have to be under 140 at the time of the order? Or is it enough that I hit my goal?

BengeBoy 

Congratulations, Curtis. Good luck on the ride!

Allegheny Jet

Good luck Curtis. Now that your have focused on this challenge you will be surprised at your finish. At 140 lbs don't you wear a small size shirt? Remember, racers are aero.

cccorlew

Small? Not yet. I have medium jerseys that are loose and some that are just right. I have one medium that I feel like a sausage in.

Red Rider

Good job, Curtis! I admire your discipline.

Now show us how it's done on that TT. As soon as you think you're hurting, think of me laughing scornfully and offering these words of encouragment: "You think this is pain? HTFU and dial it up!"

Good luck!

Allegheny Jet

Think "race cut" and not sausage.

Hermes

+1 When I put on my racing skin suit, I think sculpted, David, Michelangelo, Boonen, Hushovd....sausage does not compute.

cccorlew

RESULTS
The big news: Tricia (MyLilPony) took first in her group! First race, first medal. First in the family to get a cycling first. She wasn't even going to enter, but I talked her into it when we got there. As Tricia points out, it was a category of two. But that isn't her fault, and she did beat everyone who showed up. What more could she have done?

My goal was to better my 11:10 of last year; to come in under 11:00. This year there was a lot of wind and I thought I'd be in trouble. But I hit 10:51, and finished fourth in my group, 2.5 seconds out of third. Tricia has told me I must stop obsessing about that 2.5 seconds.

It was a delightful and fun day in the sun. The event was well run, and the other cyclists were fun to visit with. I'm already looking forward to the event next year.

maddmaxx 

Congrats Curtis and more congrats to Tricia.

stapfam

Fantastic result. You had your target and you beat it. So where's the PIE?

Have to agree that 2.5 secs is not worth worrying about- but if you had worn a race cut jersey-Would you have been more aerodynamic? If you had got a lighter set of wheels- would it have shaved a bit off your time?

Time to look at improving your equipment set up and improve it

Can tell you that you are a braver man than me at this stage of the season. I would not attempt a TT in any case but after a winter of short wet rides- I would have been looking to finish- let alone do it in a respectable time.

And just a message to Tricia. Well done and good job someone can wear the 50+ jersey on the Podium. Probably a first for the Forum.

cccorlew

I did every bit of voodoo I could. It's only 3 miles, and the end is a big climb. I took off everything I could on my bike and even put in lightweight tubes. You'd have thought there was money involved.

When I finished I was on the edge of throwing up. My heart rate was at 102 of what I thought was my max for a lot of the ride. I stayed low in the drops till the steepest part of the climb. I didn't leave anything on the course.

I did at least manage to pass the guy in front of me, which was kind of a thrill.

But I'm not about to go spend money on a TT bike. Or even a weird helmet.

On a side note, on takes what one can. One younger person who beat me looked so akward on their bike, as in could hardly manage getting on and off, it made me proud to NOT be a tri rider.

maddmaxx 

I'm not sure but that wierd helmet might have been worth 2.55 seconds over 3 miles........

cccorlew

You might be right, this is the guy who nudged me out.

overthere

Congrats to both of you!! You, for going under 11, and Trish for the win!! Really awesome, and...addicting? When's your next TT?