MetalPedaler

Hey, Man! I SO admire you! [Not so much for the farts...but for getting out there and riding!]

When I started riding, I was **only**[snicker] 50 lbs. overweight- and it was very hard. So I can only imagine how hard any physical activity must've been for you. I've only lost about 35 lbs. so far- and I'm stagnating, trying to lose the last 15 or so- it seems like such a struggle- And there you are....having a REAL struggle!

Keep up the good work!!!! You're an inspiration! (And such a good attitude means that you've already got the battle half won!)

Neil_B

Chris is not only fixing himself, but he seems to be fixing me as well.

nerys

its easy to not be bothered by jerks when you KNOW you could easily eat them for dinner :-)

Just say hey. you want to come over as dinner?

and see if they "get it" and how long it takes for them to get it :-) hehe

Neil_B

Here is Nerys struggling. He's just come over a rise, or what he would call a "hill."

nerys

I challenge any skinny rider to hump a 230 pound backpack up that "rise" and not call it a hill :-) hehehe :-)

Neil_B

Every new rider has to come to terms with going uphill sooner or later.

nerys

I am not concerned. as I get in shape and lose weight the hills will simply get easier.

Neil_B

There's a cycling quotation, I believe from Greg LeMond, that hills never get easier, you only get faster.

MetalPedaler

Heh, guys- struggling up hills that don't even seem to be hills, is probably the most demoralizing thing. I was so disgusted with myself, when I would have to stop and rest half-way up a small up-grade. Where did all these hills come from? When I'd drive these roads in my truck, they seemed practically flat, except for a few places!

I had been slim/fit most of my life. The weight crept up on me, and i didn't realize it, 'cause I really didn't look "fat" (People would even say to me "Why do you want to lose weight? You're not fat!")- But I could feel myself slowing down. At first I was thinking maybe it's just a part of getting older. I knew I needed to get more exercise and to get in-shape...but it wasn't until I started using those on-line bike-fit calculators and taking measurements, that I realized I was 50 lbs. overweight, and that that was probably 75% of my problem.

My best friend back where I used to live- he's a big guy (Always weighed in the upped 200's...now weighs 350)- Over the course of 20 years, I'd always try and get him to come for walks and stuff.... I think I actually got him to go maybe two or three times. I didn't realize back then how difficult it must have been for him....but I figured if I could get him started with a little physical activity, he might keep at it. Unfortunately, he never did- and now he recently got married and had a kid....but he's getting fatter, and I fear that he will be dead by the time his son is 10.

I don't know why some people are ashamed to be seen with fat people, though. Another friend of mine and i would talk about going to the beach...and I'd say "We can take Eric"- and the mutual friend would say "I don't want to go with him, he's too fat!". I just never got it.... I suspect that our mutual friend was too insecure with himself. I never did end up going to the beach with that guy- that helped me realize what an ass he was. (Never ended up going there with Eric either...but I wouldn't have had a problem with it...and eventually Eric got a boat, and I went with him on that plenty of times!). I still keep in touch with Eric to this day- even though we've lived 1000 miles from each other now, for 11 years....but I haven't bothered with "the ass" in years.

Hey, Nerys, that's an interesting bike that you have. Could you tell us a little about it?

MetalPedaler

Despite what Lemond(?) may have said...it is TRUE! [Lemond's quote may be true for people who are already fit....but for those of us coming in to the sport being severely out-of-sshape....not so much.]

I had heard that quote- and this past year, while hoping that the hills would get easier, I'd think of that quote, and say to myself "I guess it won't get easier....so I'd better get used to this, and just hope that I can at least get faster". But just lately- after about 2500 miles of riding, since I began in April of '12...not only am I indeed getting faster...but it IS getting easier!

My first real ride back in April...I did 11 miles, and had to stop and rest at least 20 times.... I'd have to stop halfway up virtually every hill- even rather small ones...and then rest again when I got to the top- and I'd be panting so hard, I thought I was going to die. Now, I can actually whiz over 75% of those hills, without dreading them, or even giving it a thought. I'm just getting now to the point where I can enjoy riding more, because it has gotten easier....

Thank goodness Lemond's statement doesn't apply to us....because if I had to struggle forever, the way I did up until recently, I don't know if I could have stuck with cycling! And while I'm sure that there will come a point at which I will reach my maximum capacity, from which I will not be able to progress.....I'm also sure that I still have a good ways to go to get to that point....so I look forward to it getting even easier (and faster!) during this next year.

I guess Lemond was never in as bad shape as I was..... To someone who is already fit..sure, it never really gets easier, because they're already near the top end of their efficiency/limits....so the only measurable area with room for improvement, is speed. But for us decrepit types....we have much room in which to improve in all aspects- i.e. endurance; strength; speed......so we make much bigger gains.

It's a littlke disheartening when you ride for a few months, and it doesn't seem to get easier [In fact, there were times when it seemed like it was getting harder!]...but then when you finally break through and make a noticeable improvement- a gain that you can really see- it feels GREAT, and gives you the motivation to keep at it, because you know you'll get better andf better....your health will improve, and you'll enjoy riding much more!

Neil_B

Were you ever shot? LeMond nearly died in a hunting accident.

Neil_B

Agreed.

And be sure to follow Chris as he trains..... in 240 days he's riding a century - 100 mile ride in a day - in the MS City to Shore.

CraigB

What is that gob of duct tape on his handlebars doing?

goldfinch

Mirrors my experience exactly.

Neil_B

My guess is that its a DIY mount for some gadget.

MetalPedaler

Not me....but a friend of mine was shot in the stomach by a hit-man...and walked out of the hosp'il 10 days later. Does that count?

(((faints))))

It used to hold a stick out in front of the bike with a Twinkie on it, for motivation!

MetalPedaler

I see Nerys has a Mira-cycle mirror, just like mine! Are those things great, or what?!

nerys

did not know what the mirror was called BUT I LOVE IT. its VERY good.

the ductape is a small folding tripod that has a mount for my phone. I just got a proper mount in the mail so will be removing that one.

its a Day 6 Dream 21 Semi Recumbent or "crank forward" not a full recumbent but "inbetween"

the FULL seat is what makes it so comfortable. also the crank forward also help with the physical compression stress of flesh on seat that a regular bike has that causes problems for us fat folk :-)

ie your thighs and groin don't get ripped apart.

Neil_B

I believe in this man. He will do it.

MetalPedaler

Well, I'd be embarrassed to ride with Chris on THAT one.... 'cause I wouldn't be able to keep up!



Truly amazing and inspiring!

I've heard of people riding who werre cancer patients...and recovering from heart attacks and joint replacements, etc. but Nerys impresses me!!!

Neil_B

Hmm, interesting you mentioned joint replacement..... guess who is riding with Nerys?

Seriously, I don't know if I should ride the entire 100 miles with Nerys or just part of it with him and concentrate on my own ride.

paulbi

Haven't gotten a comment while riding, but when I used to run I had some kids yell at me from their car run fatty run or something similar. It happens. There are morons out there.

Neil_B

I was heckled while riding through Manayunk once. While perhaps that's to be expected in the city that booed Santa Claus, it still counts.

MetalPedaler

Some people will heckle anyone- just because you happen to be there, and they feel like having some fun. I've been yelled at just walking my dog through the streets at night, when I was in top shape...just because I was the only one around- "Get a car!" -I'd usually laugh, and yell something back, if I could think of something witty. One time: [As their car was at a stop sign at an intersection I had just walked across]"Does that dog bite?" My reply: "Yeah. Do you?".

Thing is, to someone who may already be paranoid because of some perceived flaw, they will think that hecklers are picking on them because of whatever they are sensitive about. In reality, they're just looking for any excuse to say something, to anybody. If you happen to be fat, or a four-eyes[like me!]or bear a resemblance to Pee Wee Herman or Larry Fine, of couse, they'll use that.

Heck, ever tried it? It IS fun!

goldfinch

Sounds like rationalization of rudeness to me.