Lost 25 lbs riding fixed
11-14-14, 10:06 PM
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Lost 25 lbs riding fixed
Not saying I didnt adjust my diet also. I started riding fixed a little over a year ago, I started at 172. I am 5' 9 and 61 years old. Riding fixed is a gas. I am now 147 and riding is easier, more fun and much faster (-:
Oh yea, I am off the diabetes medicine, high blood pressure medicine also, for the first time in 15 years
Oh yea, I am off the diabetes medicine, high blood pressure medicine also, for the first time in 15 years
Last edited by howeeee; 11-14-14 at 10:13 PM.
11-15-14, 03:44 AM
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Fantastic 
At 64 I don't see a fixie in my future, so kudos to you-os.
At 64 I don't see a fixie in my future, so kudos to you-os.
11-15-14, 08:01 AM
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Well done indeed! I bet you'll keep at it and never need those meds again. Congrats!
11-15-14, 08:50 AM
#4
Congrats!
So let me see if I got your formula correct:
Proper Diet + Exercise + Excellent BMI = Healthy 61 year old
BTW: I'm 61, no meds, healthy diet, great BMI, and I love riding my fixed-gear too!
So let me see if I got your formula correct:
Proper Diet + Exercise + Excellent BMI = Healthy 61 year old
BTW: I'm 61, no meds, healthy diet, great BMI, and I love riding my fixed-gear too!
Last edited by BigAura; 11-15-14 at 08:57 AM.
11-15-14, 09:13 AM
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Congrats on the weight loss. I'm going to lose 20 this winter drafting NASCAR trucks and sprint cars.
11-15-14, 09:58 AM
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Nicely done. I am too much of a gearhead to appreciate either single speed freewheel or fixed, but bicycling has saved me from my father's and paternal grandfather's curse of obesity and all the wonderful conditions that brings with it.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
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11-15-14, 11:13 AM
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Good for you. I ride 3 speed fixed, but it's one of many bikes, so I don't rack up all that many miles on it. Just enough to know that riding fixed is a blast.
11-15-14, 12:03 PM
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Not saying I didnt adjust my diet also. I started riding fixed a little over a year ago, I started at 172. I am 5' 9 and 61 years old. Riding fixed is a gas. I am now 147 and riding is easier, more fun and much faster (-:
Oh yea, I am off the diabetes medicine, high blood pressure medicine also, for the first time in 15 years
Oh yea, I am off the diabetes medicine, high blood pressure medicine also, for the first time in 15 years
11-15-14, 12:40 PM
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11-15-14, 02:22 PM
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My fixed gear bike is now a 1-speed, at 74".
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11-15-14, 02:43 PM
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See? This is one of the things I try to point out to people who keep saying "I could never do that!" Or, "You gonna ruin your knees!!!" That one comes up a lot.
Been riding my fixie for 14 years now, and my knees are fine. Yes, you will lose weight, and feel stronger. After some time, it just becomes natural.
Congrats on the weight loss, that IS an achievement. And, as you have discovered, your other "numbers" are also looking good.
Been riding my fixie for 14 years now, and my knees are fine. Yes, you will lose weight, and feel stronger. After some time, it just becomes natural.
Congrats on the weight loss, that IS an achievement. And, as you have discovered, your other "numbers" are also looking good.
11-15-14, 02:50 PM
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Speaking of knee health, I find that my knees generally feel better from more riding rather than less. Knee pain comes after I stop riding for a few days. This has been true for me since I was 24, and I'm 53 now.
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11-15-14, 06:42 PM
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Howeeee congratulations. Keep at it. I find riding fixed a lot of fun if the climbs are not serious and the wind is 15 mph or less. I live in roller country and climbing isn't an issue.
OldTryGuy you are not too old to ride fixed if you want to try it. I turned 69 yesterday and have been riding fixed for a couple of years. Probably 50% of my rides are fixed. In the past 12 months I've done 4 centuries fixed. I've done a number of 50-60 mile group rides and hang in reasonable well-get popped downhill more often then on roller type climbs. I wanted to try it while I could still get a leg over the top tube and see what it was like. Some really like it, Howeeee and me) and some don't.
OldTryGuy you are not too old to ride fixed if you want to try it. I turned 69 yesterday and have been riding fixed for a couple of years. Probably 50% of my rides are fixed. In the past 12 months I've done 4 centuries fixed. I've done a number of 50-60 mile group rides and hang in reasonable well-get popped downhill more often then on roller type climbs. I wanted to try it while I could still get a leg over the top tube and see what it was like. Some really like it, Howeeee and me) and some don't.
11-15-14, 08:57 PM
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See? This is one of the things I try to point out to people who keep saying "I could never do that!" Or, "You gonna ruin your knees!!!" That one comes up a lot.
Been riding my fixie for 14 years now, and my knees are fine. Yes, you will lose weight, and feel stronger. After some time, it just becomes natural.
Congrats on the weight loss, that IS an achievement. And, as you have discovered, your other "numbers" are also looking good.
Been riding my fixie for 14 years now, and my knees are fine. Yes, you will lose weight, and feel stronger. After some time, it just becomes natural.
Congrats on the weight loss, that IS an achievement. And, as you have discovered, your other "numbers" are also looking good.
11-16-14, 05:56 AM
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Dan, what ratios do you use? As I think you know, I replaced my S3X hub because I didn't need it badly enough. I had my fun. I had 2nd gear as a 66" gear, which was, perhaps, a little too low, but that made 3rd gear somewhat useful at 88". 1st gear at 55" was totally unnecessary, but I used it on uphills, since it was there.
My fixed gear bike is now a 1-speed, at 74".
My fixed gear bike is now a 1-speed, at 74".
11-16-14, 01:25 PM
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...........OldTryGuy you are not too old to ride fixed if you want to try it. I turned 69 yesterday and have been riding fixed for a couple of years. Probably 50% of my rides are fixed. In the past 12 months I've done 4 centuries fixed. I've done a number of 50-60 mile group rides and hang in reasonable well-get popped downhill more often then on roller type climbs. I wanted to try it while I could still get a leg over the top tube and see what it was like. Some really like it, Howeeee and me) and some don't.
Guess the main reason for me not going to a fixed bike is that it probably wouldn't return enough on the investment. Too little ride time would be spent on it. I get out 2 or 3 times a week meeting the guys and when they want to kick it up a notch, I doubt I would be able to respond and stay with the group.
11-16-14, 05:10 PM
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Well done Howeeee, that weight loss shows a lot of determination and hard work on your part. Cycling, of all disciplines can be the key to actually enjoying the work to lose weight. It was my means for my weight loss and managing my health issues. Good job!
Bill
Bill
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I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Last edited by qcpmsame; 11-17-14 at 07:03 AM.
11-16-14, 11:01 PM
#21
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Not saying I didnt adjust my diet also. I started riding fixed a little over a year ago, I started at 172. I am 5' 9 and 61 years old. Riding fixed is a gas. I am now 147 and riding is easier, more fun and much faster (-:
Oh yea, I am off the diabetes medicine, high blood pressure medicine also, for the first time in 15 years
Oh yea, I am off the diabetes medicine, high blood pressure medicine also, for the first time in 15 years
Way to go, howeee!
I love these stories!
Dave
11-17-14, 10:30 AM
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Well, I am glad that there are exceptions to the 25 pounds/year weight loss riding fixed! I'd be a mess! (Started riding fixed at 150 pounds 38 years ago. 25 X 38 = 950 pounds. Sorry, I don't have it to lose. In fact, I lost zero. Still 150.)
But fixed as a way to stay fit (and a way to live!)? Yeah, it works. Really well.
A piece of advice for anyone who has not yet ridden fixed but wants to start - put a piece of tape on your seatpost exactly 1/4" above the frame. Drop the seat to the tape. Now go for your first "fixie" ride. Keep the seat down until you have tried to coast, several times. Might not happen first ride or two, but it will. And trust me, that attempted coast will hurt a LOT less than it you had your seat higher. When you have (rather literally) hammered into your legs the lesson about always pedaling, you can return the seat to it's normal position, back up that 1/4".
I wish someone had told me that trick. I locked my knee at 20 mph my first fixed ride. Crashed hard, but the pain was from being launched bodily by the pedal, not hitting the road.
Edit: 61 years old also. Fix gears have always been my workhorse commuters. In recent years I have put together two "fun" fix gears, the second of titanium so it is a great all weather bike as well. Now they get about 80% of my miles. They're more fun!
Ben
But fixed as a way to stay fit (and a way to live!)? Yeah, it works. Really well.
A piece of advice for anyone who has not yet ridden fixed but wants to start - put a piece of tape on your seatpost exactly 1/4" above the frame. Drop the seat to the tape. Now go for your first "fixie" ride. Keep the seat down until you have tried to coast, several times. Might not happen first ride or two, but it will. And trust me, that attempted coast will hurt a LOT less than it you had your seat higher. When you have (rather literally) hammered into your legs the lesson about always pedaling, you can return the seat to it's normal position, back up that 1/4".
I wish someone had told me that trick. I locked my knee at 20 mph my first fixed ride. Crashed hard, but the pain was from being launched bodily by the pedal, not hitting the road.
Edit: 61 years old also. Fix gears have always been my workhorse commuters. In recent years I have put together two "fun" fix gears, the second of titanium so it is a great all weather bike as well. Now they get about 80% of my miles. They're more fun!
Ben
Last edited by 79pmooney; 11-17-14 at 10:48 AM.
11-17-14, 11:14 AM
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I'm impressed by the gears you guys ride. 46 X 16 = 78", 42 X 15 = 76". In summer, when I am fit, I'll ride 43 X 16 = 73" but that's as high as I go. I spend much more time on a 42 ring and more than half my time on a 17t cog. 42 X 17 = 67".
Gears in the mid to high 70s are, for me good only if the wind will always be at my back. Otherwise I"m buying the orthopedic surgeon a new boat. (Those were the gears for my bike racing years when I was in my 20s.)
Ben
Gears in the mid to high 70s are, for me good only if the wind will always be at my back. Otherwise I"m buying the orthopedic surgeon a new boat. (Those were the gears for my bike racing years when I was in my 20s.)
Ben
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