Amazed at the difference not pushing an extra 15 lbs makes
03-28-12, 07:47 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: West, Tn.
Posts: 1,761
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Amazed at the difference not pushing an extra 15 lbs makes
From last year I have lost around 15 lbs.. This year I'm looking at my speed and going "that can't be". I struggled to do 15 mph average last year and now I can handle 17-18 pretty easily.
Went from 234 to 219lbs. MY goal was to get to 215, so I think in a couple months I might be there. Then, who knows? Would love to do a 10-mile time trial over 20mph but that will take some work.
Went from 234 to 219lbs. MY goal was to get to 215, so I think in a couple months I might be there. Then, who knows? Would love to do a 10-mile time trial over 20mph but that will take some work.
03-28-12, 07:53 AM
#2
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Delaware shore
Posts: 13,558
Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1106 Post(s)
Liked 2,174 Times
in
1,465 Posts
Great job! If you want to get under 20 mph on a tt, you need some additional work like intervals and speed training. The good news is those will help you take off additional weight and go even quicker
03-28-12, 07:55 AM
#3
www.ocrebels.com
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles area
Posts: 6,186
Bikes: Several bikes, Road, Mountain, Commute, etc.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
2 Posts
I'm amazed at the difference losing 5 lb. makes! I was 165 for the past two years, but got it down to 160 now and I can climb so much better! So yes, bigbadwulf, I guess 15 lb. would be a huge difference!
My goal is 155, which is what I was all through my 20's - 40's, i.e. before I got really old and started adding on the weight for no good reason.
Rick / OCRR
My goal is 155, which is what I was all through my 20's - 40's, i.e. before I got really old and started adding on the weight for no good reason.
Rick / OCRR
03-28-12, 07:55 AM
#4
Semper Fi
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,942
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1172 Post(s)
Liked 358 Times
in
241 Posts
Good news, indeed BBWulff. Glad you are making progress.
Bill
Bill
__________________
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
03-28-12, 08:14 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
hmmm ... interesting. on a virgin ride with my new bike I got up to 40mph just on my condo complex hills very quickly, but on a test commute with a small rear rack and trunk with junk and a gps mounted to front bars couldn't get over 33 mph.
03-28-12, 08:36 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Hollister, CA
Posts: 3,957
Bikes: Volagi, daVinci Joint Venture
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
Congratulations! I'm inspired, but jealous. Need to get down from 200 to 190 or lower myself.
03-28-12, 08:40 AM
#7
Carpe Velo
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 2,519
Bikes: 2000 Bianchi Veloce, '88 Schwinn Prologue, '90 Bianchi Volpe,'94 Yokota Grizzly Peak, Yokota Enterprise, '16 Diamondback Haanjo, '91 Bianchi Boardwalk, Ellsworth cruiser
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 14 Times
in
13 Posts
Dropped around 65 pounds over the last 13 months and I've found the hills that kicked my butt last summer are not bad at all anymore. I just say "legs, I need a little more power to get over this" and they say "you got it, boss!". There is a short but very steep hill about a mile from the end of my usual evening route. I was going up it as about 3-4 mph last year, Went up it last night at 8-9 mph. Whoo-hoo!
Not sure how much is due to increased strength and how much is due to not dragging the extra weight around, but it feels good. When I drop some more, I should fly up the hills, relatively speaking.
Not sure how much is due to increased strength and how much is due to not dragging the extra weight around, but it feels good. When I drop some more, I should fly up the hills, relatively speaking.
03-28-12, 09:02 AM
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: West, Tn.
Posts: 1,761
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
65 lbs!!?? WOW! That is incredible. You ain't half the man you used to be... 
Interval training: Did one last night. A faster group went by us while we waited at an intersection. My buddy says "I bet you can't catch them". Well, about 1.5 miles later I caught them indeed. And then they turned off the road we were to continue on, about 1/4 mile after I caught them. Arrgh!! That was interval enough for me. But I continued on the rest of the way at a good clip. I'm not much into training in the sense of a structured thing. That kinda takes the fun out of it(for me). But I will push myself. That is no problem.
Interval training: Did one last night
. A faster group went by us while we waited at an intersection. My buddy says "I bet you can't catch them". Well, about 1.5 miles later I caught them indeed. And then they turned off the road we were to continue on, about 1/4 mile after I caught them. Arrgh!! That was interval enough for me. But I continued on the rest of the way at a good clip. I'm not much into training in the sense of a structured thing. That kinda takes the fun out of it(for me). But I will push myself. That is no problem.
Last edited by bigbadwullf; 03-28-12 at 09:07 AM.
03-28-12, 10:08 AM
#9
I need speed
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 5,550
Bikes: Giant Propel, Cervelo P2
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
From last year I have lost around 15 lbs.. This year I'm looking at my speed and going "that can't be". I struggled to do 15 mph average last year and now I can handle 17-18 pretty easily.
Went from 234 to 219lbs. MY goal was to get to 215, so I think in a couple months I might be there. Then, who knows? Would love to do a 10-mile time trial over 20mph but that will take some work.
Went from 234 to 219lbs. MY goal was to get to 215, so I think in a couple months I might be there. Then, who knows? Would love to do a 10-mile time trial over 20mph but that will take some work.
03-28-12, 11:28 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Nederland, Texas
Posts: 1,441
Bikes: 2011 Specialized Sectuer, 1988 Bianchi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Congratulations bbwullf! I've lost 25lbs since taking up cycling last May. I'm at 220 now. and would like to get it down to 200lbs. Those first 25lbs came off easy... I've been stuck here at 220 since before Christmas, trying to figure out how to melt off the next 20...
03-28-12, 11:54 AM
#11
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,328
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3898 Post(s)
Liked 4,833 Times
in
2,229 Posts
I hit a plateau in a weight loss plan and found that splitting my daily bike ride into an early morning session (30-45min) and an afternoon session (1 hr +) helped quite a bit. Must have something to do with getting that metabolic rate up twice. Total time in the saddle was about the same. 205 hoping to get back down to 190.
03-28-12, 02:58 PM
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: West, Tn.
Posts: 1,761
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I stuck at 222-225 for quite a while. Rode the mountain bike all winter. Same weight. Got on the road bike and instantly lost like 5 lbs again.
03-28-12, 03:48 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Far, Far Northern California
Posts: 2,873
Bikes: 1997 Specialized M2Pro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I went from 168 to 156 over the course of a year, and didn't notice that much of a difference.
03-28-12, 04:09 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: vermont
Posts: 3,081
Bikes: Many
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
10 Posts
16-17 is a pretty decent rate of speed. Improvement is quite addictive. It's pretty hilly where I live and I went from 12.5 average to 15.5 and feel inspired!
03-28-12, 05:14 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Space Coast, Florida
Posts: 2,465
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I've found that nothing affect my average speed more than my weight. Five pounds makes a big difference for me.
03-28-12, 06:40 PM
#16
Erect member since 1953
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Posts: 7,000
Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times
in
21 Posts
I think I just picked the wrong genetics. .
03-28-12, 07:15 PM
#17
Senior Member
I didn't notice it was you Al until I clicked reply to ditto your message. I just weighed in today at 174, about 20 pounds below my 195 high a little over a year ago. I haven't noticed any difference in the riding. Of course my wife has me carry a trunk bag with about 20 pounds of gear so I guess I am handicapped.
03-28-12, 09:30 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 269
Bikes: Schlitter Encore, RANS Seavo tandem, Fisher HKEK, Spec. Roubaix
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Down from a recorded high of 219# in April 2010. I weighed in this morning at 162. Its all come off by walking, riding, and eating less/eating better. I'm hoping my speeds will improve this summer as I get to riding more.
03-30-12, 11:45 AM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: northern michigan
Posts: 13,317
Bikes: '77 Colnago Super, '76 Fuji The Finest, '88 Cannondale Criterium, '86 Trek 760, '87 Miyata 712
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 659 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times
in
313 Posts
Weight loss is gooood stuff for TT's 
I have a 20mi course (with a couple big hills) laid out for personal TT work. Losing weight brings the time down and avg speeds up...and those hills are not as big as they used to be.
10mi at 20mph is fast moving and a great accomplishment for our age, way to go!
I finished my 20mi TT with a 20mph interval (1 mile) and that is not easy.
I have a 20mi course (with a couple big hills) laid out for personal TT work. Losing weight brings the time down and avg speeds up...and those hills are not as big as they used to be.
10mi at 20mph is fast moving and a great accomplishment for our age, way to go!
I finished my 20mi TT with a 20mph interval (1 mile) and that is not easy.
03-30-12, 12:07 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Posts: 396
Bikes: '05 Salsa La Raza, '13 Aluboo (bamboo) SS, '12 DaVinci Grand Junction tandem
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 15 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've been working hard this year. I've gone from 162 to, as of today 139. I wish it made me faster. Even my intervals havn't done as much as I'd hoped for. But I do climb better. The flats still kill me. I just can't hang with the big motors.
I think I just picked the wrong genetics. .
I think I just picked the wrong genetics. .
03-30-12, 02:17 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 3,811
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Saw a story a couple of years ago about the weight of pro riders. Most were at or slightly below two pounds per inch of height; none weighed more than a kilogram (2.2 lbs) per inch. So at 6'4", I should weigh about 155? Looks like a Tour win doesn't lie in my future.
03-30-12, 03:47 PM
#23
Dharma Dog
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 2,073
Bikes: Rodriguez Shiftless street fixie with S&S couplers, Kuwahara tandem, Trek carbon, Dolan track
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Weight loss is gooood stuff for TT's
I have a 20mi course (with a couple big hills) laid out for personal TT work. Losing weight brings the time down and avg speeds up...and those hills are not as big as they used to be.
10mi at 20mph is fast moving and a great accomplishment for our age, way to go!
I finished my 20mi TT with a 20mph interval (1 mile) and that is not easy.
I have a 20mi course (with a couple big hills) laid out for personal TT work. Losing weight brings the time down and avg speeds up...and those hills are not as big as they used to be.
10mi at 20mph is fast moving and a great accomplishment for our age, way to go!
I finished my 20mi TT with a 20mph interval (1 mile) and that is not easy.
But as far as weight, I was pretty much just the opposite. Coming out of high school I was 6'1" and 145 lbs. Once I started cycling, and especially racing bicycles, I was 165 lbs. And when I started to get good at road sprinting in masters, I was 175. Now I ride 18-20,000 km a year and I'm able to maintain 175 lbs.
Luis
03-30-12, 04:47 PM
#25
You gonna eat that?
For myself, all I can say is I feel more fit riding the bike, but I just don't seem to be losing any weight. I hover between 220 and 230 (I'm 6'-2"). Right now I'm on a downswing, owing to riding frequently, giving up alcohol for Lent, and trying to to eat so much crappy food (a rule I broke today when I tried Pop's Hamburgers... but hey, it was in the middle of a 30+ mile ride).
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
Last edited by Doohickie; 03-30-12 at 04:50 PM.