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Fat Man Riding...

Old 02-17-04, 09:03 AM
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Fat Man Riding...

At least 2 if not more times per week throughout this bitterly cold winter I have held firm in my plan to ride...

Through bitter cold, nasty bone-cracking wind, snot-freezing temperatures I have pedaled....

I am still badly out of shape that I know but I still go out and do it again, again and again.

People laugh, stare, snicker and say moronic things to me under their breath, "Do you think that bike can hold him?", "Why would someone that size ride a bike, how embarassing". I thank them as I pedal past them.

My first ride held two polar opposites of- the thrill of being back on a bike for the first time in 22 years and crowning the terror that I may not remember how to ride and/or the frame will immediately buckle and snap spilling me into a heap on the street followed by...

the disappointment of having to stop after 2 blocks due to my legs burning, my back screaming and my butt aching. Yet I was so psyched to do it all over again the next, next, next and next day.

I measure my progression by 2 things.... just a little more distance on the computer, and just a bit longer between breaks to relax my legs, my breathing, my arse.

The last ride was at night-as are most because I find that I get less crap said to me and the traffic is a bit lighter-and I rode until my legs, specifically my thighs, were burning like torches and I was completely winded (which for me isn't much) and I had to get off my bike and just lean over the saddle and breath like a madman for 10 minutes to get back to normal breathing. It felt horrible and fantastic at the same time.

I know that someday I'll be able to ride longer and in less pain but I sure would like to know when...

right now I would love to be able to pedal and just enjoy the houses, buildings and scenary that I pass by but I find when I try to do that it's just a feeble attempt at trying to cover up how much discomfort I feel as a result of how badly I let myself go over the years.

When will my muscles stop screaming at me?

I continue to tinker with stem height, straight vs. drop bars, seatpost adjustments and saddle choice. I've bought and installed wider tires, narrow tires. Smallish pedals, wide pedals. It's fun and it makes me smell the possibilities that will come in time when my body catches up to my minds enthusiasim.

I do notice that I flex better, bend better, am less stiff and pole-like. Make no mistake I'm still 10 pounds of **** in a 5 pound bag size-wise but I'm heading toward being 9 pounds...

Someday.

I'll look at my wife and say, "How do people just casually say, I rode 10, 20 or more miles today? That's amazing compared to where we're at!" She'll wink and say, "We'll get there." She's right, I just get impatient. I'm still impressed though by those that can ride longer and with ease. And then on top of all that, to ride 20 miles with a fully loaded bike.... we have our work cut out for us for sure but I guess we'll take it step by step, stage by stage.

This bicycling thing is too important and fun to stop now but any thoughts or words of wisdom or encouragement would be gladly accepted and stored away for future use the next time I'm standing next to my trusty steed, bent over sucking air into my mouth with my legs literally shaking and burning from copius amounts of lactic acid.
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Old 02-17-04, 10:22 AM
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Keep up the good work!! My club wanted to vote me the most improved rider of the year. I lost weight and changed from a hybrid to a road bike. Let me tell you. I pushed myself much harder when I was heavier. To other people I was slow, but I never work that hard any more. It will get easier. Once on a really difficult climb, I was breathing hard (overweight and asthmatic) and a young dude came up behind me and pushed me a little ways. I felt like crying, but I didn't. And then, there was no way I could stop when he stayed within eyesight so he encouraged me two ways.
I saw a really heavy person on RAGBRAI last year, probably 350-400 pounds. His face was red and he was really working hard. I wanted to say something encouraging to him, but wasn't sure if he wanted the attention. You have to start somewhere and when you loose weight, somebody will have something to say to you about the bikeshorts, so....just ride and smile..cause it will always be something.
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Old 02-17-04, 10:34 AM
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Basically you have very little aerobic capasity right now so you are going anaerobic with very little effort.With consistant training your muscles will progressively develop aerobic capasity(increased mitochondria etc.)to allow you to go further with less effort.
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Old 02-17-04, 11:14 AM
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Genuinely touched by story, you dig in there and keep going and ignore the morons.

Best of luck

John
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Old 02-17-04, 11:28 AM
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Good job. Keep going and don't stop. It will get better over time. Forget the morons.
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Old 02-17-04, 11:53 AM
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It gets easier. I promise.

Good job, keep up the good work. Flip off the morons for me.
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Old 02-17-04, 12:12 PM
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Let me start off by saying you should be proud. Very few people are willing to make a change in their life, and even fewer are willing to attempt something that isn't easy, even if the payoff is worth it. As for the people that make comments, ignore them, their like would heckle and cajole even a pro like Tyler or Lance if he rode in their neighborhood.

One question I would like to ask, is if you are getting enough rest between your excursions? Its great that you are motivated, but you need to treat this like a marathon and not a sprint. I'd love to tell you that things will go quickly, but thats not the truth, it will take time. Just make sure you are giving your body enough time to repair and adapt for your new level of exertion.

Keep up the great work!
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Old 02-17-04, 12:22 PM
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dude,

keep going. i'm in the same boat w/ ya.

you ask for advise and seeing as i've been where your at and not much farther ahead in the game... here it is.

get yourself some clipless peddles. first ride w/ em i fell over twice, first fall hurt alot, second one wasn't so bad. but after riding in em for about the first week, i'd never want to ride a bike w/out them again. (8 months now) it helps on the hills, it helps on your cadence, it helps on the legs, it helps on the breathing, it helps you push yourself farther every time you go out. (watch pushing yourself too hard or ya may end up yacking on someones hedges, i've done it once or twice.... sorry neighbor) but yeah if i were to give you one bit of advise that will help you push yourself harder but help you the most, get some clipless peddles and a good pair of shoes to match and your going to love that bike even more.

raise my water bottle to ya dude, keep it up. you'll get there.

kat
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Old 02-17-04, 12:51 PM
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I myself was MR America, under 8% body fat then.... In a matter of 2 years I gained 40 lbs to 200lbs I was devastated, depressed and self consious. I bought a MTB and rode like a dog everday to near exhaustion. I started with only doing 2 miles, today I rode a 24 mile hill in 2hr and 44 min. And even though the some of weight is still there people no longer take me for granted as I can keep up with them with an extra 30 lb on me. Today I feel better , look better and have increased self esteem, I know one day I will lose it all and accomplish my goals. Keep up the good work.

PS eating is very much a part of it.
 
Old 02-17-04, 02:17 PM
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Stick with it. I started out at 340#s and am now down to ~222#s.

I may suggest to you that you should:
1. See you doctor and get his approval of your choice of excercise and intensity. He may give you some guidelines to follow for your current level of conditioning. Or refer you to a sports specialist of some kind.
2. Wear a heart rate monitor! Keep you BPM in your trarget range.
3. Don't over due it! (see #2) You don't want to hurt yourself or burn out.
4. Alternate days between some resitance training and arobic. (even take some days off of the bike and take a nice long walk with your lovely lady)
5. As stated before, you also have to give your body time to recover. (see #1)
6. A balanced meal plan is essential. See a Licensed Diatition(sp) to help with this.
7. ENJOY the journey. The journey will be difficult at times and joyous at other times. Lean on each other and feed off the positive energy you each have.
8. Like was posted previously: Flip off the morons for me too!

I'll end my rambling with my sincere hope this helps in some way.

Best of luck!

Bob
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Old 02-17-04, 03:38 PM
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It's just going to take time. Don't rush things. I have lost 72 pounds over 2 1/2 years and have been able to keep it off; well I have gained 10 pounds back within the last week from steroids -- had hair transplants. Anyway, I lost my weight in 10 pound increments. I would lose 10 pounds and then stabilize myself at that weight for 2 - 3 months and then lose another 10 pounds. That way, I would get acquainted at my new weight before losing more. It prevented my body from the shock of losing so much weight with a short time period and then gaining it right back as I had done many times in the past.

I started out cycling 5 miles a day on Saturday and Sunday and built myself up from there. It will take time for your body to adjust to the cycling and weight loss. I started cycling in September of 2001 and didn't really get into good "cycling shape" until March 2002 -- the point at which I did my first century. One thing that will really help you with your cycling is to go to the gym and do inclined walking. I built myself up on this. I finally got myself up to 14% grade for 30 minutes and this helped the cycling and weight loss considerably.

For food, I got on a high carb diet, eating a lot of fruit and chicken and subways at lunch.

As far as people looking and commenting, ignore them. At least you have the courage and will to get out do something to get yourself in shape. I had the same issue too, but no longer!

I know that I have posted these pics before in other posts, but I hope my pics will show you where you can be too with some effort and will -- and hopefully enjoyment as I have had!!! Good luck and keep us up to date on your progress!!!!
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Old 02-17-04, 05:03 PM
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I'm in awe of your dedication. While you've got a large mountain to climb, every step brings you that much closer to the summit.

I will second N7CZinMT's recommendation concerning the heart rate monitor. This little device will help you lose weight by guiding you to the optimal fat burning rate (usually 60-80% of your maximum heart rate). While you're at it I recommend picking up the following book as a companion to the HRM;

link here

Best of luck!!

-mark
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Old 05-13-04, 08:55 PM
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Istanbul_Tea,
How have things been going? For every person who points and laughs… know that you have inspired at least twice as many. It gets easier… I promise. I completed my first century ride this year. The MS150 Houston, TX to Austin, TX was a wonderful experience. The best advice I can give… Don’t stop trying to live your best life. Remember, slow and steady wins this race.
Best of luck!
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Old 05-13-04, 09:32 PM
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I was on my way to pick up my wife after work today and I saw somebody that could have been Istanbul_Tea today. A really big guy. He was pedaling his hardest to get up this slight incline. Instead of rolling down the window and shouting at him to tell him he was doing a good job, which I figured would have been misinterpreted anyway, I kept my window up and quietly wished him the best. Istanbul_Tea, and others like you, not everybody is looking at you and wondering why you're on the bike. There are some of us that are proud that you're making the effort! Pedal on!
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Old 05-13-04, 10:06 PM
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Keep in mind how long it took to get where you are. Realize it will take a long time to get back in shape. Be patient, the destination is worth the journey.
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Old 05-14-04, 01:58 AM
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Istanbul Tea, I'm another who's right there with you.

2.5 years ago, I was 280# (for a 5'5" woman, that's pretty big) and hadn't ridden a bike for 10 years. My wife and I decided we needed to go car-free and for that, I'd need to get into riding shape. I started out on a stupid garage-sale exercise bike -- well, actually, just its pedals as I sat on the couch -- pedaling for a minute or two at a time.

Six months later, we sold our car and bought our bikes. The ten-mile ride home from the bike store was the hardest work I've ever done. Way more than either of us were ready for.

Now, I can do short-distance commuting (10 miles a day, 4-5 days a week) or a longer trip (a 26-mile round trip once or twice in a week) but not both in the same week. I've lost some, but not a huge amount, of weight (I was 247# last I checked). My clothes fit me a bit looser but I haven't yet needed a whole change of wardrobe.

But I didn't get into it to lose weight. I did it, in part, because I didn't like the way I was starting to feel in my increasingly sedentary life. I know I'm stronger because hills that used to kick my butt (lots of stops to recatch my breath and let my heart slow down and my legs quit burning quite so much) now only knock me around a little (I can climb them without stopping if I go slowly enough).

I'm lucky in that my wife, who is athletic but had fallen out of training, is a patient soul who is content to go slowly with me. As your own wife says, you'll get there. Just do it at your own pace. Any who would discourage you or disparage your efforts aren't worth a second thought.
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Old 05-14-04, 06:30 AM
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I'm sure there are many of us out there - I'm the same as you. Last year I started biking to lose weight and get healthy. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabeties a year earlier and was in denial. The doc said he was going to give me more pills to take (and I was already taking 3 a day) and I would likely die of a heart attack before I was 40 (and I was already 35). I lost 30 lbs last summer biking and the doc backed off on more medicine. This year I am working to lose another 40 (got a late start last year).

Don't worry about what others say - are they on a bike? or out there doing it? If not - then they have no right to say anything - let them go back to their couch. They say things to make themselves feel better because they aren't out there doing it. If they are also bikers - shame on them - I bet they weren't in great shape when they started.

I watch the bikers when I'm out. There are fit and not so fit ones. I say hello to all I see. I'm sure the fit ones shake their head at me, the 250# guy on a road bike. But two days ago I held with a fit guy going up hill and on the flats for about 3 miles before he was able to pull away, and I let him go because I was going for distance, not speed.

Remember that, distance improves health more than speed. Try lower gears so you don't get out of breath. Your body needs oxygen to burn energy efficiently and provide long term supply - if you work too hard your body burns surgar and your muscles burn as well.

I did my first ever 20 mile ride with my mountain bike yesterday in the rain. It was great. I used the mountian bike because it was raining and wouldn't dare take my road bike out in that so I didn't plan on going that far. But I felt good, kept an even pace and took the hills slowly. I was a little tired last night and still a bit this morning, but the accomplishment was worth it. And I was surprised it only took be an hour and a half (6:30 - 8:00pm)

So hang in there. You have decided to try something you'll really enjoy - I do. And some day you can give those just starting out encouragement as you pull up next to them, and ride along with them for a while before speeding on along your route.

Mark
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Old 05-15-04, 07:51 AM
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Keep going dude! I cannot say more that others for encouragement. I to am trying to gain my health back. I use to race 89-91. I was over the "ideal" weight for my short size of 5'7" @175, but the young bucks would flip that a short fat 36 yr old could go 30 on a bike and hold it I am now 49, overweight, have high blood pressure (165/100) and suffer migraines, cholesterol is high. Doc put me on BP pills that I want off of. I have made a commitment to lose the weight, lower my BP, reduce my sodium intake, exercise, and ride my bike and enjoy life. Been at this for 1 month now, I have lost 13 lbs of my 58, BP is down to 120/78 with pills, I have logged miles on my bike, my clothes are getting loose and I feel better. Doc told me that in 5 weeks if my BP is still down I can get off the meds so I am working toward this now. I track my weight, food and BP on lifeclinic cause it's free and web based and can hit this when I am on travel.lifeclinic

On the book I second the above. I just got my copy and it has some good info. There is more on Sally's site Heart Zones site

Keep up the good work!
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Old 05-15-04, 09:41 AM
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Istanbul, I completely understand where you are coming from. I started out on an Eddie Bauer comfort bike from Target at 340lbs. My first ride was around the block and I was winded from riding less than a mile. I built my way up, day by day, even if the next day was only an extra one hundredth of a mile. I'll never forget teh first day I rode 10 miles! It was like climbing a mountain.
I rode through every kind of weather imaginable, just like you are. I restricted calories, and the weight just flew off. I'm now down to 175 lbs, and I can hang with most people. I'm buying a road bike here soon, and I want to get into racing. Friends who haven't seen me since I was bigger don't even recognize me, literally. I have to introduce myself.
Dude, you can do it. Just keep challenging yourself. Keep working at it. And know that for every person who stares and snickers, there are five people who wish you the absolute best of luck and who have the utmost respect for your doing what no one else seems to be able to do.... losing weight through good old fashioned motivation and hard work. Good luck!
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Old 05-16-04, 03:02 PM
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I know how you feel Istanbul

I started cycling agian after many years in jauary...I was 5'9" and 255lbs. And extremely unathletic...a climb up a flight of stairs and I was getting light headed.

So far I'm down to a more tolerable 230..

just keep at it man, it may suck badly at first, but after time you will get stronger and that strength will help you get through the distance.

Carry LOTS of water at first. I still usually carry 2 16oz bottles of water just for commuting. When I'm out just to ride, I double that. Also consider getting slicks if you are riding a mtn bike or hybrid. It makes things a bit easier since you aren't fighting the knobs on your tires as well as allow for better stability on road.

As far as what I eat, my diet was restricted carbs/fat for the first two months, then restricted carbs for the thrid, now I just eat normally (jack in the box, pizza, tons of breads [i'm a carb-a-holic, it takes weapons to part me from my garlic bread!]). I was pushing about 5-8 miles a day for teh first two months, then 8-10 miles a day for month 3. Now it's at least 12 miles a day. Hopefully the way i chose might give you some insight in how to deal with it. Given I do take things a bit extreme so this might be too hard of a workout for some.
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Old 05-17-04, 05:15 AM
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I cant stress this more, GET A HEART RATE MONITOR!!! I bought one, read about the fat burning zone (lots of different opinions about this but between 65-80% of your max heart rate) and stick with it. When I started riding I thought no mater what, keep pedaling, I'll lose weght but I wasnt (or it was very slow) then I learned about how your body uses fat for energy and now I'm getting fitter and losing weight.
Whats funny is, if you stay in this range, you may very well feel like your not working very hard as most of us think you should be out of breath or your heart should be pounding in your chest or sweat should be pouring off you but thats not true to burning fat. Stay in in your fat burning zone for about 2-3 months and you'll see a BIG difference.
By the way, well f@#*^ng done for doing this, it takes great dedication to lose weight, well done mate! keep posting and good luck, we are all here for you
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Old 05-17-04, 06:36 AM
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Istanbul Tea said, "I know that someday I'll be able to ride longer and in less pain but I sure would like to know when...

right now I would love to be able to pedal and just enjoy the houses, buildings and scenary that I pass by but I find when I try to do that it's just a feeble attempt at trying to cover up how much discomfort I feel as a result of how badly I let myself go over the years.

When will my muscles stop screaming at me?"

Istanbul, my hat is off to you. Ya got guts. But I don't think as many people are
snickering under their breath as you think. If they are, they're just shallow idiots anyway, so don't pay 'em no mind. I see heavy people on bikes all the time, and I admire them. So many others, thick and thin, have just given up, and will wither into vegetables. But not you. I can sense your desire and commitment.
You may not like to hear this (about them burning legs), but mine always burn for the first few miles, till I warm up. Then, for me anyway, the burn seems to change into a more pleasurable burn, more like a "pump". A pump that I now crave all day long.
There's also tons of other forms of excercise you can do to keep your mind interested. I also lift weights and spend thirty minutes a day beating on a punching bag. Actually I don't even have a punching bag. I use a boat cushion wrapped around a small tree in the woods behind my house. I kick it and punch it till I drop. Then I do it again. Then there's the most brutal of all excercises, the squats. No doubt about it, squats suck. But they also happen to be the most effective excercise there is for increasing one's metabolism. Start off with just an empty bar on your shoulders, or no bar at all. Just hang onto a post or something while your muscles learn the movement. Do as many reps as you can. When you can do fifteen or twenty, put a little weight on the bar, to get your max reps back down to eight or ten.
When I was a kid, I had a martial arts instructor that made us "duck walk" back and forth across the dojo. He also made us do that Russian dance, where you're squatting down and extending one leg at a time, back and forth. That was brutal, but it worked great. We totally dominated every tournament we went to.
The reason I bring that up is because, I find that I lose weight much faster, doing repeated max burn workouts than I do just pedaling a bike for hours at a time. I know, they say that's the best way to burn fat, but for me, a max burn workout seems to burn fat all day long, rain or shine.
You can do this. Good luck, and just keep PUSHING!
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Old 05-17-04, 07:45 AM
  #23  
Now with racer-boy font!
 
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For what it's worth, my wife and I and the friends I know would never think derisively of you. Occasionally, I'll see someone that is overweight running, walking or riding and I'm immediately impressed and wish them well.

About 20 years ago, I drove a truck for a living and my weight went up to 210 lbs. I'm now 170 and pretty much stay this weight because of my cycling. You'll get there and bicycling will help you keep it off.
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Old 05-17-04, 08:22 AM
  #24  
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Large or small, if you are on a bike, you will be an object of ridicule and derision. Most of the general public are clueless at best and malevolent at worst. They will mock your clothing and equipment, your physical size or apperance, they will try to run you off the road, they will sneer, hoot, holler, shout, and snort. At best you will be a curiosity in your own neighborhood.

Once you get your mind around this, It can be a very liberating realization. You will then be free to wear lycra tights, ride in the snow and rain or spend an hour or so on a Saturday pedaling up and down the same hill. Thus becoming an enigma to the uninitiated.

Let them think what they want, because they will anyway.

Dan
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Old 05-17-04, 09:48 AM
  #25  
oh..so...crusty..
 
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Instanbull..man, I'm cheering for ya!!

I haven't been riding too long, either...I was a bit over my regular weight, and just kept on riding, making better eating decisions, and this weekend I finished my first century ever...and I did it on a track bike...the Ides Ride....Chicago to Milkwaukee...

more on ides ride here

keep going....we're proud already...randy
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