Schrup

I'm sitting here enjoying a plate of Copper River Salmon & have time to introduce myself. I'm a 42 year old husband/father, work for the government, & have decided I would like to try to participate in duathlons. I let myself get obese (230lb @ 5"10") after getting promoted to a desk job. I got down to 210lb by eating less & mild exercise (golf & walking) & recently had a minor medical condition that brought me down to 202lb & gave me a good scare because I laid in the hospital for 2 days getting bad diagnoses until they got it right.

I have an old Norco Java MTB I bought 12 years ago & it's still in pretty good shape, it only weighs 24.5 pounds. It needs a little work, but is still ridable until the parts come in. First I bought a new seat & realized my seat post is bad, so I ordered one. This wasn't easy because it's a 28.4mm post. None of the LBS could help me & I called a half dozen internet companies with no luck, sent 2 emails to the UK & one to Australia with no response. Finally Bikeman hooked me up. I also bought my rigid front fork (Kona Project 2) from him. I have a buddy at work that is really into cycling (has 5 bikes) & he tried to help me tune up my Java with limited success (front derailer), so I took it to a LBS that didn't ignore me or act like snobs (visited 5). The guy there was really nice & adjusted my front derailer in less than 2 minutes, my buddy tried for 45. I was so pleased that I ordered (at his suggestion) new Rapidfire shifters to replace my old Gripshifters, new 26x1.5 street tires to replace my old 26x2.35 slicks, new grips & a complete tune. I also have a new headset, a couple of insulated bottles, & an extra cage on the way.

I live in the middle of a city, so there isn't much opportunity to get off road. A week ago I started running 2 miles every morning & will probable up it to 3 miles next week. I bought a fluid trainer to use at work & have worked my way up to 1 hour a day. I ride to work, 5 miles each way. Yesterday was my first day off & I went for a 20 mile (very hilly) ride & will do the samething today. Tomorrow I plan to do a 30 mile flat ride. I return to work Friday.

My goal is to participate in a duathlon later this summer & continue to train till next spring until I can buy a real street bike & maybe actually be competitive. My goal weight is 177lbs, I'm 198 now. I'll try doing the simple less calories in than out method, but am open to seeing a nutritionist if I hit a wall. I would also, with the help of this forum, like to learn to do all my own bike work, I have a garage full of tools.

Tom Stormcrowe

Welcome aboard!

Lookk at the training and nutrition forum for help getting ready!

East Hill

Hello Schrup, are you going to participate in the Tour de Pierce on the 23rd? Don't forget to check in with the Pacific Northwest regional forums.

Hope to see you out on the trails or roads sometime, and

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Schrup

Thanks for the heads up E.H.. I wasn't aware of it, but I'll be riding in it now.

East Hill

Great! My husband and I will be doing the 50 mile version. Don't know what time we'll be starting off, but fellow member stringbreaker will also be there, amongst others .

We've got a thread in the PNW regional forum about it.

East Hill