wb416

Thanks... but tonight the dinosaur got me... fell about 8 ft down off the side of a bridge...

CRASH

rumblebelly

I know this is from awhile back and you've probably gotten more comfortable with yourself but I was worried about the same thing. I just jumped right in with full jersey/shorts/geekiness and got used to it right away. The worst that's happened to me (besides road side flats) was someone ironically yelling out of a truck "YEAH!!" with a fist out their window and laughing as they went by. And honestly I think they were the dumber between the two of us .

It gets easier!

Robin48

I have only been cycling for 9 weeks, but I started out not caring what anyone said or thought. I am almost 50 years old, seved 13 years in the military, been shot and stabbed. I have had two heart attacks, triple bypass, I am diabetic and still need to lose 100 lbs. Who cares what some jack ass says? As long as they keep on going they are safe. I carry pepper spray for the dogs and M&P 9mm for troublemakers. Keep on riding, get healthy and don't worry about the sheeple.

gitarzan

I volunteered as a photog on the Pelotonia ride. After seeing people bigger than me in Lycra riding 180 miles, I had no compunction anymore in wearing the stretchy stuff.

It feels better and makes my ride more comfortable. I never realized how much you can sweat in a cotton shirt until I started riding. In Lycra you dont even notice it.

Leicester Lad

At the moment I am working my way back in to cycling, and am cycling around the back-roads of North Carolina. I've sort of noticed that all cyclists get stared at (whether they are rail-thin roadies on $2000 road bikes, or tubby fellows like me trundling along on my Schwinn tourer). To be honest, with the kind of roads I'm cycling on, anyone not in a pick-up truck with a dog in the back gets stared at... Happily, I haven't been mocked by upper-class college students, yet...(although Duke is just down the road, so perhaps I should be careful!)

Squeezing myself back into lycra was totally embarrassing, but what the heck? I'm having fun and improving my fitness. There are plenty of folks around here who dress "funny" without the excuse of being an overweight cyclist to explain it away. I wear proper cycling clothes because there's no joy exercising in the North Carolina heat in a cotton T-Shirt. Sometimes I come inside after working in my yard and I can just wring the sweat out of one of those...

angeleyes2128

I had that feeling, but I just went for it, had a great bike ride,then the following day I went again,the ride was pleasant again, until a couple of other bikers creepy up on me, scared me,they we're sarcastic and ignorant, but it won't put me off, as I need to loose weight and to that I will carry on cycling, so no more to being intimidating, just go for it.

Ursa Minor

Hang in there angeleyes. You have a family here that cares about you.

Charlie

eja_ bottecchia

Send those creepy, ignorant imbeciles my way. This older, short, chubby, diabetic and asthmatic rider will teach them a couple of lessons in manners.

Angeleyes, keep riding and enjoy your time on the bike. Ignore the idiots, they are not worthy of your attention.

Have fun...be safe!

Little Darwin

I didn't read the thread, since I see that it started long ago, but I think my sig says it all. If anyone jeers at you, or derides you, it is their issue, not yours. Just enjoy your ride, and ignore them. I know it isn't always easy to do, but make it your objective.

Trust me, it is even worse when someone you care about brings up the subject that you are fat in EVERY argument regardless of what the argument is about... it makes it harder to ignore, but it is still the right thing. I won't bore you with how I know, but I know.

angeleyes2128

Thank you Charlie for your support, it means a lot

Shawn Gossman

I absolutely care nothing about what others think of me so getting on a bike and riding doesn't bother me at all Then again, I can get on a stage and talk to thousands of strangers without any fear

As far as biking apparel, my friends make fun of me all the time for it... My response? Non-black colors lol, I wear some of the most colorful shorts haha... just to show people how much I don't care

angeleyes2128

Reading everyones post gives me more confidence and motovation to get out there, thank you to you all.

Wanderer

Who cares**********?? Get out and enjoy................

TrekNut

I have the same problem. But, although running is more traditional way of working out than cycling, running looks more odd for some reason. One thing that helped me was to get with a weekly group ride so you dont think about it so much. Also, I think to some degree i use this problem as an excuse not to get out. Another thing tjat has helped me is to upload my rides onto Strava, etc. It makes the ride an additional purpose of recording data for uploading to Sttava. I am considering moving out to the country where traffic is scarce.

feejer

When I’m out on the trail, I always like seeing big folks out riding. They’re out doing something, not sitting on the couch or making excuses. I’m 6’4”, usually between 230-240lbs, mostly in the gut. I’m not fat per say, but not in near good enough shape. I know there are much larger people than me in much better shape, and when I see them out putting in the effort and work it’s inspiring to me. It’s a reminder that I could use more dedication to becoming healthier, just like they’re doing. Committing to a healthy lifestyle and making the permanent changes necessary for success is very hard in today’s world. My hats off to anyone who’s trying, and especially so for the above average size folks out riding. Y’all are truly motivating!

sfazio 

What other people think of you is none of your business. Don't EVER let people (especially strangers!!) dictate what you do--especially something as wonderful as cycling. I'll bet 90%+ of the people in this forum have felt what you have at one time or another, you aren't alone and for every jerk out there who might have something nasty to say there are 100 people cheering you on. Cycling keeps me fit and sane, it's the best outlet for stress I've found. Riding fast on a bike (especially one I built!) on a beautiful day is as good as it gets--don't let fear of nameless, faceless creeps take that away from you.

Andyota

I used to be extremely self-conscious about wearing cycling shorts and shirts that showed the rolls, but you know what? I'm making the effort to get out there. I wave and acknowledge other cyclists, and for the most part they return the favor. I just love being out there, and as my wife has said many many times, its you being you out there, no one else can say anything about that, it doesn't matter, just keep doing it. And I will keep riding and keep passing people, and keep enjoying the rush of exertion.

Never stop, NEVER.

DaintyCalves

It really doesn't matter what other people think. You're out there for you anyways not them. I know that's easier said than done as far as how it feels but it's really the truth of it. Go out and have a great time. Whether you're doing it for fun, fitness or both it's YOUR time and YOUR life. ENJOY IT!!

GMoser85

I was 297 in December of 2019. I am 234 now I had your thoughts and feelings when I started. 6 miles home from the bus stop, I was commuting with my daughter once I went back to work in July 2020. I'm not a fan of the shorts but they help so much and you get plenty of attention from them. I wear a bright orange safety shirt when I ride for visibility, even before going head on with a car last October. Be safe when you ride. Allowing those thoughts and holding back because of them will only reinforce the thoughts and feelings. Go live life for you.

alo

Just do what is sensible, and don't be concerned about what others think. If you live your life being concerned about what others think, you will probably never be happy.

I have lost over 20 kg through diet and cycling. I have probably added years to my life.

The sensible people realize that what I am doing is smart.

a_d_a_m

To those responding to the O/P...this thread is 12 years old and her most recent post was 10 years ago.

I don't think she's going to see these responses.

deaninkl

Well, this is the clyde section, so I'm guessing none of us are small... I'm 5'9" and 220lbs, and round enough... I wear padded cycle shorts and over them I use a pair of thin un-padded mountain bike shorts, but any long this shorts will do, On top instead of Licra bike shirts, I wear baggy t'shirts.... it ain't pretty, but I'm 62 and can laugh at myself so really don't give a toss how others see me... I'm out there on a bike for me not others. If you want to use Licra cycle shirts, buy a size that doesn't make you look like a steam dumpling and go for brazen colors or a beer motif!! make it fun!! I have one that says "this rider needs a beer" and its yellow and orange!!

Enjoy the ride and know its helping you.

Andyota

bingo! Last statement nails it.

1. Are you enjoying yourself?
2. Do you require anybody else’s permission to ride and enjoy yourself?
3. Regardless of how it makes you feel in the heat of the moment, does anyone else’s opinion matter at all?

I have to keep this mantra/list in the back of my head as I’m huffing through my last 5 miles, or when I’m feeling extra exposed because there are cyclists everywhere and I can “feel” the looks. It’s all about your, your zone, your ride, your health. Get it done!

NomarsGirl

I have a jersey with cookie monster on it. The back says, "Ride Bike eat Cookie". The only thing anyone ever yelled at me was "Yeah! With Ice Cream too!!". I have had a tough year health-wise which resulted in astonishing weight loss. I have found that when you lose weight for bad reasons, people just tell you that you look great, but they don't ask if you are okay. I'm not (really).

Milton Keynes

Making fun of an overweight person out exercising makes about as much sense as making fun of a homeless person at a job fair. Who cares what those idiots think? You're doing good for you, and anyone making fun of your for doing so is probably just sitting at home on the couch every day.

I admit I'm a bit self-conscious of my gut when I'm wearing a bike jersey, but hopefully I'll get it shrunk down to where it was before.