Null66

Kills phone batteries. Especially on long ride.

Rhites

In the very beginning of this charade,before Eric started FGAA. He was posting his plans for all of this on his FB page. One of the very first things he talked about was his need for a Go Pro for the trip. How important having a Go Pro was for this trip across America. That was why he said he had to start the GFM was to get a Go Pro for the trip. He was going to record his riding,video update daily his progress,post his planned route AND his location at all times for safety reasons. None of that has happened. Someone gave him a Go Pro that has not been used. He now states that it is BECAUSE of his safety that he is not posting all of that. There is one 38 second video after he finally left Martha's Vineyard of very shaky,very slow,almost to the point of stopping and falling over,bicycle riding. Point is,you want to see a picture of him on his bike? I'm thinking it will never happen. He might find the time and energy to post a posing picture now that his sometimes wife is there on his bike in a parking lot somewhere. I wouldn't hold out for the Go Pro being put to use. After the GFM is drained and no more donations are coming in,the Go Pro will definitely end up on EBay(one of his favorite sites. Can post proof of the financial mess he created on EBay for his dad)along with the donated bike and anything else he has at the moment of some value. I've seen it time and time again.

Mithrandir

Yeah, so why would he care then?

PhotoJoe 

Welcome to the forum. I hope you take a look around and read about some of the journeys that have actually happened for members here. THOSE are truly inspiring. I also hope you'll get involved, keep us up to date on your journey and ask any questions/share any knowledge you have. I think more people are inspired here than in the Fit With FB page.

RollingBlubber

That's a really great point and I think that's why when "stories" like these go viral so many of us get upset. You don't have to do drastic things to make improvements in your life - you just have to do something and stick with it. If Eric was doing ANYTHING and being honest with his followers I think a lot of us wouldn't have such a hard on for him to get exposed as doing nothing. I'm talking about simple things like posting a Strava ride (shouldn't take 10% of his phone battery) or pictures from his ride, but no that's just too much. Instead we get more of the usual nonsense - "inspirational" videos, vague posts about "summer colds" and "haters not giving him a chance", and more links to his GoFundMe and "Fit with Fat Guy" () "community".

OriginalFerbie

The comment section on his page has taken an interesting turn. Someone posted a link to this forum thread, encouraging people to read it. Eric himself has apparently read much of it, and commented that it is all speculation. Others are starting to chime in about the "interesting facts" that are coming up here, and the thread was also pointed out to Brett Michael Miller, a very vocal poster who has been trying to help and encourage, but has also stated he is an investigative journalist. Brett said he was reading through this, but hasn't touched on any of it yet. I think things could start to get very ugly on the FB page soon.

billyymc

What I find most baffling is the people who are still vehemently defending him, despite the fact that he hasn't done anything. There's not a single bit of proof he'd ridden a bicycle even a hundred yards.

I think those people have dug in and will hold their position even after Eric has given up the ruse and headed home.

Eric - if you're reading this - put up ONE freakin picture or video of you riding. Seriously man - you have pictures of you drinking water, holding a menu, whatever...put up a picture of you riding the new bike. It's the very least you can do to thank the folks at Newport Bicycles.

indyfabz

IMO, we live in a society where no one wants to admit that they are wrong. Humans are naturally like that, but I feel it's gotten much worse over the years. People often get very angry when you call them on something that was obviously wrong. I see it all the time. Cross the street in the crosswalk with the light and nearly get hit my someone texting, say something to them and instead of a "Sorry" you get a "F%^k you, a@#hole."

Piled on top of this is the fact that some of these people have donated money, which means admitting they were wrong would mean admitting they got duped, which is an even harder thing to admit.

As for the last part of your post, I second your request. Eric--Show some real "proof of life!"

Spoonrobot 

With proper settings battery life is significantly longer than an iphone with active cellular service. I routinely run Strava or RWGPS on a 2.5 year old iphone 4 for rides up to 8 hours. I usually end the ride with >30% battery life. Key is turning off the cellular data, wifi and all notifications as well as a few other settings listed below (scroll down to Battery Conservation Settings for Backcountry use of your iPhone):

How to use the iPhone 4 as a GPS mapping device for backpacking

KLiNCK

ColaJacket

So somebody on this forum should buy the GoPro, and show America, what it is really like for a Clyde/Athena to ride a bike for actual distances.

GH

RollingBlubber

If I was interested in taking on the hassle of internet "fans" I would do just that buy I enjoy my anonymity. Would anyone be interested in a video of me doing a metric century in my usual "long ride" gear (skintight jersey, bibs)? I mean, I'm sure most people haven't seen a 380lbs man crushing miles at 14mph in a while.

CatBee

With all the media attention and the fact that he should be easily recognizable, I keep wondering why nobody has posted anything like "saw you ride by today!" or a pic of him from around town. He says he's "conditioning" and riding miles every day in that location, so it struck me as odd that not one person has grabbed a pic or asked him to jump in a selfie, not even a business that he's frequenting is showing up on his page like "Look who's here, it's Fat Guy Across America!" He hasn't moved in weeks, so people there should absolutely know there's a minor celebrity to watch out for, yet...nothing.

Then other things strike me as odder still. He's 500 pounds and pulling a 300 pound trailer in late July, yet he's posted selfies titled "made it to DD" and "5 miles in 1 hour" with his face not flushed from the ride, not sweating and no residual dampness visible on his face, hair or shirt. Nothing you'd expect to see when a person just finished biking in the heat of summer. I mentioned the weight because it's much more exertion for him than it would be for lighter or fitter riders, and it would make the heat much harder on him as well. Yet he looks fresh as a daisy after 5 miles?

I've been fat before myself, just to be honest. And at half his weight, in the summer, a few blocks would have me sweating and flushed. It's hard for me to believe he's biked at all.

Little Darwin

A few of the recent messages here, if combined would be an interesting start to a thread in the Politics and Religion section... Combining the thought that his bringing in prayer/religion to attract or placate the masses, and the comment that some will hold to their views long after Eric quits (if he does)... But I won't get into that here since I think this is a better place for the thread than having it moved to P&R.

I have a feeling that a lot of people in the fan-boy/girl Facebook group have seen or heard nothing except the first article about Eric's "journey" and think that he must be progressing, or that his reasons for not progressing are logical. While I tend to look for the best in people, and still like to think that Eric is at least trying his best to be genuine, each new element that comes to light makes it seem less likely.

A thought did just occur to me. Maybe Eric thinks he has made significant progress since he has crossed from one state to another. Crossing a border could make him think that he rode across MA when in fact, some of the people living in RI commute to Boston... which is further away than Cape Cod where his journey started.

As a suggestions (in case Eric does read this)...

1) How about buying a a battery pack to extend the life of your phones battery during the day and eliminate the need to stop at every DD along the route? A relatively inexpensive battery pack would charge your phone 2 or 3 times, and surely that would get you through a day.

2) Send the bulk of your electronics home. Everything you need to do can be done on a smart phone. Post to Facebook, send tweets, compose your book... Concentrate on the ride instead of having all f the luxuries of home with you.

3) Turn off the screen on the phone until you need it. If you are using it to map your route, you don't need to see it as you go, just look at the end of the day to see what you have accomplished. With my battery at 60%, and riding in remote areas (which drains the battery faster to try to maintain cell connection) I can ride a 30 mile ride, and have battery left when I get back to my car. I carry a battery pack, just in case, but haven't needed it yet.

4) If this isn't a scam, give an accounting of how the money being raised is being used. While the GoFundMe page tells how much you have raised, I don't believe the donations received via PayPal have the same visibility. How much have you raised total, what has it been used for? For the 5 digit amount raised, it would seem reasonable that you would not have to rely on a donated bicycle, and that you would have solid plans in place, but the least you can do is tell your contributors how the money is being spent.

5) If you are riding so much that you can't post, that is one thing, but how about on days when you do little or no riding and/or make no progress, then at least update your followers.

Beachgrad05

Im an Athena and have a GoPro. Have used it to show some of my rides. Climbing Glendora Mtn Road (several times), doing the 2 day MS ride. Training rides. I took on the AIDS Lifecycle and recorded snippets from each day...have not sat down to create something out of the footage.

Here is the rookie ride up GMR with the Clyde/Athena group. From there on YouTube you can see my other ride videos.

Rhites

For anyone that has followed from the very beginning. The day his dad Dan dropped him off in Falmouth,MA. You can clearly see on the video his cigarettes laying on the picnic table. From that video,he posted a pic of his setup and there were Cokes in the picture. A guy(Chad. That was supposedly his coach. Who has since disappeared from commenting or helping)commented about the cigarettes and the Cokes. Eric replied,he knew that he needed to give those up and that they were,"leftovers",or something to that effect and that he would be drinking water to hydrate from then on out. So,in classic Eric style,he started posting pics of him drinking water. Have to reel in your fans and donators. Eric is addicted to regular Cokes and is a heavy smoker. If you watch the video of him going to interview Irish Mike on Martha's Vineyard posted to his FGAA site. On the video you can hear him breathing extremely hard. That is not from biking. That is just from walking a few yards. I don't know without actually meeting Eric in person and from just photos,anyone can understand just how bad his health is. Which also makes this so unbelievable that he's stating how many miles he's biking. Eric has never done anything physical. Not so much as take out a bag of garbage! 10 years ago his own mother who is an RN would not let him change a tire because she thought he was too out of shape to and was afraid he'd have a heart attack. He had high blood pressure for years that went untreated with medications or at least diet control. I know Eric and he has not given up smoking,eating like he does and sugared drinks. There are people that can and do change their eating habits and lifestyle choices. He'll be 41 October 1st and I've known him for 20 years and I do not believe he will ever change anything about his life(weight) or gain morals. I'll be extremely honest,they have a really bad family history of heart disease/heart attacks on his dad's side. I'm honestly shocked he's still around and has not suffered his first heart attack already. My husband is 44 and talks about it because of their family medical history. Their dad has suffered 4 heart attacks and is still a heavy smoker himself,does not eat right nor exercises. I'm shocked he's still around also.

Bockman

I'm appreciating reading through the pages of discussions here on this subject. As a life-long cyclist (2 coast-to-coast bike rides) who has recently shed well over 100 lbs, I think I have some salient observations. From the get-go, this chap's stated goals vs. his actions didn't sit well with me, it left me uneasy and even irritated, and I think I know why now. Not to 'psychologize' too much, but it feels to me like he is projecting out to all who will listen a kind of helplessness that permeated his personal and professional life up until this scheme was hatched. No one could possibly rationally believe that hopping your 560 lb frame onto a dept. store quality bike while towing 300 lbs of crap with zero money is wise, inspirational, uplifting, etc. It's really seriously ****ed up and one sees as bad thing after bad thing occurs to him, he's repeatedly relying on the kindness of strangers to bail him out, a kind of infantilization that is seriously not healthy.

billyymc

Not only did he post a pic of himself drinking water, but he managed to work a god bless the marines / protect our troops sign into the background. Coincidence? I doubt it.

This guy truly IS awesome.

Rhites

My youngest daughter who is 27 and is really good friends with a guy who owns his own bicycle shop here in Indiana and is extremely appalled at what is taking place for all the world to see. She got a really good laugh from this picture. She said,"Eric being Eric I see! Killing two birds with one stone. Reeling that money in AND supporting the troops"!

Rhites

I want to address the comment made about him referring to God in his posts on FGAA. Let me shed light on that for everyone. My husband Chris and Eric were raised in the church. Their family were members of Russellville Christian Church in Russellville,IN. where they grew up at and did attended regularly. After high school,my husband and Eric did not attend! Ever! So for roughly the last 22 years Eric has not attended not only that church,but any church! Aside from being married in a church,he has not attended. Like I have stated before. His sleeping schedule is up at 7-8pm all evening and night playing on the internet(you can do that when you are not employed). Goes to bed around 6-7am. Kind of difficult to attend church regularly when you keep those hours of a sleep schedule. We wondered how this biking would go because of his sleep schedule he has kept for years now. If in fact he biked at all. He went and visited the Russellville Christian Church ONLY before he left for this trip. We laughed! We knew what he was up to. He wanted to play on the whole "God" thing on his web site AND was hoping,might have even asked for,that the RCC would "donate" to his trip. Generate more money hopefully. He wanted to be able to say,"I go to church...sorta". First visit to any church in 22 years minimum. He's good....sorta

TrojanHorse

I think I just saw my favorite comment. Short, sweet and deluded:

Mike Santoro Haters gonna hate. Ride like the wind sir. You must remember that you are a 'do'er' and you are reading comments from people that are simply talkers.


Does anybody have a spare tube & tire they can give me so I can go for a ride tonight? I wrecked my front tire last night because caltrans sucks and I want to go for a ride so my kids will have a dad in the future. Or maybe a new bike? I prefer size 58.

Yendor72

@TrojanHorse I see those comments and I laugh. The ones that state, "This man is doing something epic! I bet you couldn't do this." I just want to laugh in their faces and let them know, "Yeah, I may not be as overweight as him and I only have 1300 miles in this year on my bike. I have a conscience and could not dupe you people like this guy is."

JohnX

Billyymc is a good investigator re the marines picture.. Thanks to RHites and CHites we are starting to understand the mind set here

TrojanHorse

That is precisely the point! He's not doing jack, he's SAYING he's going to do it but there's a vast gulf between saying and doing.

I still want to see him do it. I think it'll be roughly 400 times harder than he seems to think it will be, especially when he encounters wind, weather, breakdowns and the inevitable depletion of cash. He hasn't made a single reference as to where he's staying lately, is he still camping? Even a cheap hotel will bleed him dry lickety split.

The really odd thing - we see it all the time here - riders who weigh significantly more than 400 lbs have particular challenges and he hasn't mentioned having any similar challenges one time (other than tacoing his wheel). That, and they have trouble riding more than a block the first time they head out. Is he some sort of super motivated athlete that suddenly he can ride 180 miles in 2 months? Doesn't really ring true, even if you give him credit for only riding from the vineyard to Newport.

Little Darwin

NO NO NO!!!! You are doing it all wrong. You need more pathos, and an immediate GoFundMe campaign, and a web site with PayPal donation button. While you correct yourself, it will give people a chance to go grab their checkbooks and credit cards.