1) The only way to ride is to ride.

2) Maybe consider investing in a 36 or 40 spoke rear wheel with a bullet proof rim?

FWIW: I'm 65 and 5-6 and, in three years off the bike, I ballooned to about 220. Now I'm back to 175ish with about five pounds to go.

Oh yes, before the I forget, the secrets to weights loss are:

1) Eat healthy.

2) East less.

3) Move more; Bike, walk, or jog , but move a lot.