edistoed

Hi guys. I've been lurking for awhile, and finally have a new bike AND the weather to go with it.

I'm a 43 year old, firmly in the "middle aged fat man" demographic. 5'9" at about 258 and dropping at a reasonable rate (was 272 a few days after Christmas). I'd been riding an older Trek 7.3 but relocated in October and sold it to a friend in need before my move. A few weeks ago I finally purchased a replacement, a '16 Trek 7.3 - definitely an improvement over what I originally had.

Starting out slow, riding about 5 miles at lunch and a couple miles after work every day when the weather cooperates, with a bit longer ride on Saturday or Sunday. Also training for my first 5K in mid March, so doing a bit of biking + jogging during my evening sessions. Hope to ride in my first group ride in April, but haven't registered yet, as I'm not sure what I'll be able to handle mileage-wise by then.

I've already gathered a ton of helpful info in here from lurking, and hope to some day return the favor!

ColaJacket

There are group rides, and then there are Group Rides. If you have to sign up for it, it is a Group Ride. You might want to go to your LBS, and see if they have group rides for your level of cycling. It would help to have some experience riding with other in group rides, before doing your first Group Ride.

Hope that was clear as mud.

Good Luck with your bike and the Group Ride.

GH

LivingCodeBlue

Hello All,

I'm a 41 year old, 5'9" new to cycling (again) Minnesotan. I used to ride like I was possessed in my younger days, from about 14-20 y/o. I put countless miles on an aluminum frame Cannondale back in those days. I really wish I still had that bike... but I digress. After hitting a high of 283 lbs last summer, I decided that I needed to add a hobby that would actually lead to better fitness. Motorcycles and sports cars are plenty exciting, but they weren't helping me get in shape. Near the end of June last year I got the idea to try cycling again. Given my passion for it in my younger years, I thought I might be able to revive some of that excitement in my older age. I did some research and decided that even though I was a bigger fan of road bikes, a hybrid might be a smarter choice for me to start out with. I went to my LBS and found a good deal on a Specialized Crosstrail Sport Disc. It was about the perfect bike to get me back into riding.

My first day out on the bike saw me conquer a whopping 4 miles. And I was certain that I would have a hospital visit in my immediate future. Surprisingly though, I fell in love with riding all over again. Day two I managed 6 miles without collapsing. By the end of the summer I was pretty routinely riding 20+ miles at least 4 days a week with a few 40+ rides thrown in for fun. Winter arrived late to Minnesota this year so I was able to ride late into the end of 2015, but I knew that all good things must come to an end. In an effort to make sure that I didn't go backwards, I picked up a CycleOps trainer and moved the bike to my living room in front of my T.V.. I still have been managing to average 10 miles a day on the trainer, but the boredom is killing me and I can't wait for spring. I have learned that "passion" doesn't quite begin to describe how I feel about riding at this point. "Obsession" is much more accurate a term.

Since I began riding, I have lowered my weight down to a modest 248 lbs. And I continue to lose about a pound every week and a half. Considering I have only made very minor changes to my diet, I'm thrilled that I am moving the right direction. In order to further fuel my obsession, I made, what is for me, a huge leap into cycling...

I still remember as a 15 y/o kid, walking into my LBS with my $500 that I had saved through paper routes and lawn mowing, excited that I could finally buy that beautiful Cannondale. I spent the next five years laughing as I would push my entry level Cannondale would pass bikes worth twice as much with riders wearing the "right" clothes and having all the expensive gear. I never thought that I'd ever spend that much on a bike. And I never thought that I'd be one of "those guys." The excitement hadn't been matched since (alright, a couple of my vehicle/motorcycle purchases were close, but different).

After months of research and plenty of time sampling what bikes feel best under my big butt, I decided that I was ready to be one of "those guys." I wasn't planning on buying anything until this spring, but I had narrowed it down to what I believe may be the perfect bike for me. A couple weeks back, when checking it out at a, new to me, LBS, I found a great deal on the bike. I really love a good year end clearance sale. I located my soon to be new bike drastically discounted. The shop had a 0% layaway plan. I couldn't pass it up, so I put down $500 down on the bike and told them I'd come pick it up once the snow starts to melt. I know everyone has their favorites, and luckily for me, I've never been much for brand loyalty. I'm sure after I have it for a season or two and the newness wears off, I might not be so fond of this new purchase. But I really feel that I found the perfect fitting bike for me. The bike I located is the Trek Domane 4.3. I fell in love with the Domane as soon as I sat on one. It feels as though it was custom built for me. Now, if only spring would get here so I can go ride it home from the store.

Throughout my re-entry into bicycling, one thing has stood out more than anything else. And that is that I am surprised to find how excited bicycling makes me. I feel just like that 15 y/o kid with $500 in hand, thinking of all the freedom that bicycle means to me. Now don't get me wrong, I love my cars, and I love my motorcycles, but I had forgotten the simple joy that is bicycling. Feeling that beeze through my hair as I stand on the pedals, increasing the rush through nothing other than my own energy and exertion. Riding a route that I have ridden dozens of times before, but still excited to challenge myself to do it faster than ever before. Bicycling is really like nothing else in this world. I am excited that I have once again opened up Pandora's box.

I've been lurking on these forums for awhile now, reacquainting myself to the world that is cycling. I could study it every day and still find I have much more to learn at the end of my life. I look forward to becoming more active in these forums as I continue to get to know my new love. And I hate to say this, but I may be capable of removing the title of Clydesdale. As I sit here thinking about it, the last time I was under 200 lbs was when I was 20 years old. I don't think it is a coincidence that I was 20 when I stopped riding the last time...

ColaJacket

@LivingCodeBlue

Congrats on finding your bikes.

If you look at some of the threads below, I started one about how to make riding on a trainer less boring. I'm using music with a certain BPM so I can ride at certain RPMs. I know that my RPM is probably on the low side, so I figured I could work on that in the winter, and, hopefully, when the spring comes, my RPM will be better, and, thus, my cycling will be better.

GH

LivingCodeBlue

Thanks @ColaJacket,

I've tried a bunch of different things. I recently found the GCN youtube training videos and I find they help me keep my focus. I'll have to try adding some good music as a background to those. I just can't wait to get back out on the streets, but we just got a foot of snow so I'm thinking it will be awhile.

BJ

hankaye

Howdy All;

Guess I qualify as a Clydesdale, 6'1" roughly 230# + or - a few ... 67 come the end of April with severe COPD.
Need to get things moving again, been sittin' for to long. Also posted an intro at the top of the main page and
again in the 50+ section. Details are there if you're interested.

Thanks for being here.

hank

LivingCodeBlue

Welcome @hankaye,

Getting back into riding at 67 with COPD? That is impressive. I've found these forums to be extremely helpful. If you need any advice, you came to the right place. Good luck with your goals!

BJ

stogies4life

It's been quite a while since I've been here (2+ yrs of mostly lurking) because of some health issues that stopped my riding. i am over those and I have a "new to me" bike and I am quite stoked for the weather to turn so I can get back out on the road again. I am 60 y/o and weigh in at 270 so I definitely am a Clydesdale. I hope to be able to add something of value here as I get back in the saddle again

ColaJacket

Well, we hope that we can add something of value to your riding.

What kind of bike do you have?

Welcome back to cycling.

GH

stogies4life

I bought a used 2014 Specialized Allez.

Pops1959

Clydesdale? Any room here for a hippopotamus? In short, while I was a slender biking person in the 70s, the years since have taken their toll and I am now rather portly. Ok, I'm fat. Over 300 actually. But hey, I'm working on it. Have cut way back on food consumption, and am working to modify the quality of what I do consume. And I'm biking once again. Had to do some shopping to find a decent bike that would carry my carcass. Ended up with a Specialized Crossroads Hybrid. And while it's slow going I am able to do 5 or 6 miles at a shot (working on 7). The bike has (knock on wood) held up just fine. And the waste line is slowly showing signs of going down. In fact I can now button a pair of shorts that I previously could not, and am now using a hole on my belt what has never been used. I feel good too. Ride on.

keano10

Another lurker clyde here just popping in to say hello! I'm 5'10 at 250 lbs. and I have been struggling to recover from a broken ankle. Slow recovery and limited physical activity resulted in significant weight gain and muscle loss; weakened legs and increased weight resulted in more injuries and aggravating old ones; thus began the vicious cycle which I've been struggling with for the past 2 years. I decided I had to do something about it rather than making excuses and resigning myself to this sedentary lifestyle, and hopefully cycling will prove to be the right call.

During my research, I learned about bikeforums and C&A section, which turned out to be a very encouraging community. I'm looking forward to jumping in (and the weather clearing up)!

Primitive Don

I've been a Bike Forums member for years, mostly posting in the Classic and Vintage forum back when I flipped bikes and (foolishly) owned an LBS. I'm more of a bike mechanic than a cyclist, honestly, but lately, I've felt inclined to start putting many more miles on my bikes and make riding the focus of a fitness lifestyle. I have been inspired by the 100+ mile goal threads in this forum, and I met my goal in December and I'm close to meeting it for February. I have really enjoyed riding in the cold this winter and also enjoyed moving from skinny tire road bikes and single speeds over to wider tire bikes for dirt and gravel roads. I did my first CX 'C' race in October, and although I nearly died, I did complete the race and realized I love climbing along the way. I would like to get back in shape like I have in earlier years, but a hectic work life, long commute and demands of a family make that goal a challenge. I am planning on participating in several distance rides this year and hope to do my first triathlon, although the swim just may do me in.

Quebeker

Hi, my name is Luke and live in South Western Ontario.
I have registered on this forum a while back but only been lurking.
This is my 1st post (and to be honest, hopefully wont qualify for this tread much longer).
I was an active guy and in good shape until life happened and became a truck driver in 2001.
A year ago in April, my wife got a family membership at our community center and I went to the gym.
I knew I was overweight but I never thought I weighed 336lbs.
It shocked me into change. Slow at 1st but now much easier.
I did buy a new bike. A cheap Wal-Mart one with fat tires.
At 330lbs and fearing dropping dead at any moment, I wasnt going to buy a better (more expensive) one.
So a Mongoose Dolomite it was.
And I dont care what anybody says, this bike did its job. Actually, being a heavy POS probably made me burn more calories.
Daily exercise (even when Im at work 1000s of miles away from home) for the past 10 months and cutting about 95% of my sugar intake and counting calories in and out, Im now at 243lbs today.
Sometime this spring or summer, I will be buying a better bike. I'm looking at gravel grinders or cross bikes.
Right now, I'm thinking about either a green 2015 Jake the snake one of my local shops has in stock or a Giant Revolt.

Staypuft1652

Hello all. Been on BF a little while, mostly lurking. Wanted to introduce myself here. Definitely qualify for clydesdale status, started last year riding miles and trying to eat better, lost some weight until the weather hampered that. I have a few cheap old ten speeds, and a 90's rigid MTN bike and wanting to set goals for daily miles etc. Thanks all for having this supportive forum available.

ChuckD6421 

Staypuft? Well that's not a good start!
Welcome SP. One idea that's worked for me when the weather provides a nice opportunity for couch time, is to check out the local YMCA. Mine has several spin sessions a week and is most definitely NOT a place for judgement. We get all kinds of folks and even the diehards are very supportive, the leaders especially (and we have some diehard leaders).

I also find it better to think in terms of time on the bike, rather than miles. It seems to avoid the issues of comparison.
See ya 'round!

Chuck

Staypuft1652

Thanks Chuck! I appreciate the time versus miles idea, still new to some of this, very good idea. I will also check out my local YMCA. Thanks again!

Doohickie

Yep I remember ya. But Y SO SERIOUS?

I figure if you can pop into the introductions thread, I can too. I probably posted in here 8 years ago or so, but meh, why not do it again? It's only fitting since I'm kind of a yo-yo dieter. I'm 6'-2". In 2005 (before I started riding again) I started the year at my heaviest, 238 lb., and decided to do South Beach Diet, which worked like a champ.... and then some. I ended up all the way down to 168, much lighter than I was in high school and frankly I looked gaunt. I grained back up to the 180s and maintained there for a while.

But eventually it all came back. Two or three times since then I got back to the 230s and said, NOPE and lost back down to about 200. I think ideally I'd like to weigh about 190-200. (194 lb. is the top limit of Normal Weight for someone my height per BMI and I actually feel pretty good at that weight.)

Late last year I realized I was creeping up again, so I decided I'd start dieting again with the First of the Year. By New Years Day I got up to 243, my heaviest EVAR. Since then, courtesy of MyFitnessPal, Strava, bicycles, walking the dog and a wee bit of will power, I've managed to get halfway back to 200... currently at 221. Still losing at a pretty good clip. This time of the night I'd KILL for something to snack on, but I want to lose weight more than I want to eat.

So I ride bikes too, eh? I've got a collection of mostly junkie bikes to most eyes, but I like them. I have a 1966 Raleigh DL-1 3-speed from a garage sale that's in pretty good shape, a 1983 Raleigh Marathon that I pulled out of dumpster and rode for a few years, then messed up the derailleur hanger and eventually converted it into a Frankenbike cross between a tall bike and a cruiser with a 2-speed kickback hub, a sprung Brooks saddle and huge cruiser bars. I have another 1983 Raleigh, a Super Course, and that's in a more traditional configuration with drop bars and stuff. I got that one in a trade with another BF member, for a bike I bought in a pawn shop. My commuter bike is a garage sale 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS hybrid that's set up as a light tourer. And then I have a bike my wife got me for Christmas one year- a 2009 Schwinn Cutter fixed gear.

I suspect even if I lose enough weight to renounce my membership in this subforum, I'll gain enough back to return. So here I am. Again.

ColaJacket

yeah, in the mileage thread, I'm using time on the trainer. Mostly because I do not have the speed sensors on my wheels.

And you can always add your time outside on the few nice days to the time on the trainer to help meet time goals for the month.

GH

Staypuft1652

Yes, I have been trying to locate a reasonably affordable trainer but it seems those words do not belong in the same sentence. It's so nice to have idea's and support, thank-you!

BigHomer82

Hey everyone, just joined today. A new rider from NY.

ColaJacket

I've got an Elite Qubo Fluid Trainer similar to this.

GH

BigDave301

Big man on a little bike here myself, 6'4" and 300+ lbs. Working to get back under 240 lbs.

I am starting to bike commute to work this month to help that effort!

Dave

FatBanker

Hey everyone! New member reporting in. At the very beginning of 2016 at age 27 I embarked on a journey to increase my overall health and fitness. Start size is 6' with weight of 225lb. I've done 5 hours per week of flexibility and strength training with a personal trainer, and have tightened up my diet. End of February the weather improved enough for me to buy and start riding a new mtb. My Spec Rockhopper and I have ridden 120km of trail and fire road so far together and I'm loving every minute.

Today, March 16, I am down to 205lb and have lost 2" from my waist moving from 38 to 36. In the end, I'd like to settle in between 170 and 180 lbs. I've been practising a 1.1km steady steep climb every 3-4 days, and have seen my time improve from 5:30 to my current 4:06 best time. The slow but quantifiable improvements have been a great motivator, but seeing and reading your stories dating back to 2006/2007 has been a real kick in the ass to keep cranking.

Just wanted to say thank you to all of you for having the bravery and kindness to share your stories and encouragement. It's tough to look in the mirror and be dissatisfied with what you see.. It's even tougher to actually take action to improve yourself. I'm incredibly grateful for this community already, and can't wait to see this journey through.

Yours with admiration and thanks,

FatBanker

americanrecluse

Welcome, Banker. You're doing great!