JustsayMo

Lets keep it going.

192 today. I'm only down a pound in 2 weeks, but 13 from when we started this. I'm hoping time and weather will allow me to get on my bike soon.

MikeOK

I'm still in Mo.

201 down to 194. A little in the wrong direction this time but the trend is still good.

fallout

hey I'm new. what's the deal with this?

pdxcyclist

This is a "call out" thread for a small group looking to drop lbs. via cycling and improved diet.

I dropped to 203 and then returned to 204 (started at 243 back on 11/30/03), the same for several weeks, but I'm not worried. I'm shifting back into a stricter food pattern, while adding miles and intensity. I feel great on the bike, and did relatively well on a group ride last Saturday (averaged 17 for over an hour on my touring bike). Even did a mini time trial on my bike commute yesterday, and averaged 14.25 on my mtb in urban/suburban stop and go for 20 miles. Went slower today, but racked up 25 miles on the commute. (Getting a cold right now would be a bummer...)

My motivation now is to drop to 199, and then celebrate by dusting off and tuning up my RB-1 for some speed work and pace lines on the weekend. My personal best was a 18.1 average on the Seagull Century about 7-8 years ago. Wouldn't mind doing that again.

fallout

Sweet. I'd like to be a part of this. Here's my story. I actually posted about this in a separate thread last week.

Back in November I was 265 and my main activity was timed pizza eating trials. I swear to god I could eat a small cheese faster than anyone I ever met.

Well, It's March and I'm down to 213. I did it with Atkins, and while I'm not thrilled I had to resort to that, it worked for me and has allowed me the confidence I needed to begin exercise and things athletic. So I bought a road bike!

Anyway, my goal is somewhere around 190ish. I think that'd work for me, but I'm going to take it slow from here on out, replacing Atkins with a fairly normal diet and a bunch of exercising.

pdxcyclist

Fallout,

Congrats on the serious drop in lbs. My "ideal" is supposedly 184 lbs, but I'm going to see how difficult the 190s are first. I was lucky in that I just increased cycling to 5-7 days a week (mostly commuting), and cutting back on portion size and meats and fats (ice cream, cookies, sweets in general). Every lunch is a big salad, and between meals I only have one or two pieces of fresh fruit.

Nice side effect-- my daily dose of 1-2 expensive Pepsids (sometimes with a Tums chaser) has droped to around 1 every two weeks. I think the oils and fats in baked goods and meats were killing me.

So what road bike do you have? I was amazed that road bikes seemed to drop out of favor for a few years during the peak of the mtb growth. To me, there's nothing like taking a nice pull at the front of a pace line on a sunny day (even with a headwind), or "lasering" down curves on a strong descent.

fallout

Ha. Same effect here with the pepsids, only my stomach problems were solved when I moved TO meat and oils. Go figure.

I have a 2000 LeMond Buenos Aires. My original plan was to buy a Specialized Sirrus (which I'd still like to do) but I started doing a bunch of research -- I have a problem with doing things half-assed -- and the more I read about road biking, the more hooked I got. Man, I love the bike so much, but I have to admit I think it might be a tad too big for me. I bought it used and at the time, I was a little taken with the idea of owning such a nice bike for such cheap money. Anyway, I'll suffer through it (as much as one can suffer through having a bike like that) and next year I'll trade up for something that fits a bit better. I grabbed a Cycleops Magneto trainer over the weekend because, well, winter just won't go away around here.

pdxcyclist

I've been reading a lot of good things about Lemond bikes. I remember when they first came out that the reviews were mixed, but now it seems like they're a serious name for a lot of happy riders.

Bike fit is crucial, however, and I've suffered through "too big a bike" before as well. I'm not happy on a road bike unless there five or more inches of seatpost showing.

I love my RB-1, but I've had it for about 13 years now. In one to two years, I'd like a custom-made Co-motion, Spectrum, or Waterford. It took me a long time to understand why friends were putting down $3-4K on custom bikes, but I think I know now. My used Bruce Gordon was hand-made, and it's alignment is probably the best of any bike I've ridden. It's response to pedal strokes is perfectly smooth and direct, and the handling is great. To have that on a sweet steel or Ti frame, custom-made by someone who knows how to size a rider, would be fantastic-- well worth riding for another 13-15 years.

Good luck on your goals-- and use the trainer with an HRM if you can. Pick a lower zone and burn cals like crazy. Maffetone's book is good on this subject.

fallout

How important is an HRM? I don't have one. And frankly, I'm afraid of it in the same way I'm afraid of doctors... I'm not sure I'm ready to hear what it has to tell me. Like, my resting heart rate is 423 or something...

pdxcyclist

For some, an HRM isn't important at all. I get a strong pain in my shoulder when I'm redlining on heartrate (used to be around 210 max), so I don't need an HRM on training rides to know when I'm blowing it.

Others mistake an HRM for a speedometer, thinking higher is better, but there again it's a matter of fitness. Having a fever will raise your heartrate, for example. Armstrong at 180 bpm is probably cranking out more watts than myself at 180 bpm (supposedly, I'll have to check).

In the Heartrate Book for Cyclists, and The Maffetone Method, some pretty good examples are given of how to focus your trainer rides (and outside rides) with an HRM. In the Maffetone book especially, it's a matter of training in a zone that's going to give you maximum benefit for where you're starting from.

In my case, I feel I'm improving more from more riding in lower zones (bike commuting) than less time in higher zones (super-sweat-outs on the trainer in the garage). Wearing an HRM once in awhile keeps me in perspective. My typical bike commute of 20 miles usually racks up a 132 bpm average for the round-trip and around 1200 calories burned (40-50 percent from fat, the rest from available carbs). I can crank that up higher once in awhile, but not every day.

The books (and Bicycling Magazine) also argue that rest days are critical, unless you want to fall apart, get sick, or quit the whole "ordeal." I was overdoing it for awhile (seven days a week, on road or trainer), and started showing nearly all the overtraing warning signs. Knocking off entirely for a day or two each week is really important, especially for a boost on a weekend ride. Doing five days of 20 mile commutes (along with the work itself) doesn't leave me fresh as a daisy for club riding on the weeknd.

Also, you don't need a fancy HRM for what the books recommend. Even a low end $40 one is fine. Read up first.

fallout

cool man. thanks for the info.
This board is fantastic. And since I have a million hobbies (obsessions, my wife calls them...) I frequent a bunch. But this one is something special.

MikeOK

fallout - we have a weight loss "team" started at activebody.com, you're welcome to join us there. We post our weight every other tuesday (or so), it's been pretty casual so far but it's a good incentive to be accountable somehow.

You'll love training with a HRM, especially if you like gadgets. You can train to about any level you want with them, from just monitoring basic fitness all the way up to some pretty advanced training. I just got one with cycle computer features and altitude. Since my main focus is XC mtn biking I've found it's better for me to monitor ascents and total time rather than miles, although I do log road miles too.

As for today's "called out", I went up 3 lb's since I have my first series race this weekend I decided that since I was so close to clydesdale weight I would go ahead and enjoy a couple weeks of no dieting, and get back to clyde weight for this race. I was surprised to find that after riding so much and watching my diet that it's been quite a challenge to gain weight this fast, and I suppose that's a good thing. After sunday's race I will get back to the routine and try to get to my goal weight of 175 by summer. I'm also planning to move up to sport after this race, where being light really counts.

JustsayMo

Welcome Fallout,
One feature I really like on my Heart Rate Monitors is the AVERAGE HEART RATE function. I jot it down in my training log and as the season progresses it makes it easy to track fitness, heart rates go down, average speed goes up.

The Lemond is a great bike. I had a 1997 Zurich for a few years and was impressed with the ride. The Lemond geometry carves corners like no other bike I've tried. I like the traditional styling too. Now I'm riding 2002 custom TET (Tom Teasedale) and 1999 Gunnar road bikes that fit me and my riding style better than any bike I've ever had.

PDX, FWIW I purchased a custom Co-Motion Tandem last year and was very impressed by the quality. The bike required NO alignment or prep at all. All I had to do was install the parts. While the experience was less personal and more corporate (spoke only to salesmen, nobody with a torch) than my previous custom bikes, they did produce an absolutely beautiful frame.

Stubacca

Holding steady at the moment at around 228. I've been doing a fair bit of riding, but also some weights work and a decent amount of travel (which = restaurant food...).

Back in town for a few weeks now, so I'll work hard at shedding a few more pounds.

Weight hasn't actually been worrying me too much lately - I'm too stoked at how much my fitness has been improving with all the riding I've been doing that I just don't care that much right now!

pdxcyclist

I'm attacted to the Expresso and Nor'wester single Co-motions, with the S&S coupler option. I'm lucky in that a local shop actually gets them on the show floor, so I could test ride before buying. The frames look fantastic.

This year, I have a Bike Friday single/tandem "Q," and I'm taking it (in single form) on 3-4 trips this year around the country (if the complexity isn't too high). I like the idea of riding in DC, St. Michaels, New Orleans, Spokane, and Memphis for fun on a travel bike. If the "Q" works out, in a year or two I might upgrade to a Co-motion travel bike.

In another local shop, I saw the new Ritchey travel bike. Ingenious break-down system, but overall the frame didn't blow me away like the Co-motions.

wingnut

I'm on a Thursday morning weigh-in that I'm logging along with other data (food eaten, riding, running, HR's). I'm showing up 1 right now for the week. Too much fun over the weekend I guess. Gonna get on the trainer today and maybe a run tonight. So we'll see how things look tomorrow.

I'm not too concerned with the weight although I do really want to keep heading in the right direction. Right now I'm down 6 over the last 3 weeks. My attitude is still good so I guess I'm happy with how things are going.

Stevet04II

From Jan 12 to present I have lost a total of 25lbs. Was 205lbs now (weighed this morning)190lbs. My goal 180lbs for now. When I first started riding again I would get winded easy and could barely make two laps around a small feild behind my house. Now I ride 5 miles on the road with no problems. Except when the wind is blowing 25 mph in my face. Whew!!!! My secert to success is "Counting Calories and ride daily or at least 3-4 days a week. I still eat foods that I like except cakes, etc but just keep an eye on the cals. Its working for me guys and gals.

N_C

289 now. This is the most I've lost yet!

SipperPhoto

I know that fit is everything, and all that... but I've had my Lemond for nearly a year now... and absolutely love it... it is an extremely comfortable bike to ride... I would buy another one, if I were looking now

jeff

pdxcyclist

There's an interesting article in the Adventure Cyclist magazine that just came out. It's the annual touring bike buying guide, and the editor of the magazine took a completely different approach to the guide. Basically, he reviewed all the previous buying guide articles, and found them good but repetitive, and overall there was less change that similarity over the years. Also, there was no strong "truths" about the bikes. Depending on the rider, Aluminum could be much better than steel, and vice versa. Same for 'bents vs. uprights. Same for Ti vs. Carbon. Same for drops vs. straight bars. Same for panniers vs. trailers. Are any better than others: yes and no, depending on the rider.

I've loved my RB-1 for 13 years, but I'm certain many would have disliked it from the start-- too twitchy or too stable for some. Steel instead of Ti. Too long top tube for others, etc.

Finding a bike you really like is the way to win. There's not really archtypal guidelines to prove one is better than another, until you get on them and ride. So, test ride, test ride, test ride, and then decide.

Have a great season on your Lemond!

a2psyklnut

I'm holding steady at 253. I've lost over 25 lbs since this started, but I've had a lot of "Stuff" going on and haven't ridden in over a week.

Haven't been too careful on my diet either!

Hopefully things will settle down and I'll get back into my rhythm!

L8r

Toyota_4Runner

Well I am down to 275 from 290 on 2-6-04. Still counting calories and riding finaly getting to ride outside since the weather is starting to break. Wen of this week I did a quick 13 miles in snow showers and 20 mile an hour winds I hope we wont have many more of these type days.

Rdbiker13

WOW 228 I max out at 180 if I go any higher I'll stroke out!!!

Rdbiker13

ooppps I thought you were talking about your heart rate

Guest

9 hard fought pounds since the first of the year.

Koffee