trailangel

So, if you ride 10 miles a day on a bike tour, what do you do the rest of the day? I would be bored and just want to keep riding.
Something doesn't smell right about this tour.. oh, and one more thing, I am glad I cannot smell from my computer screen.
And that is not fat-bashing.
At some point he will need to "pack it in" because of the weather.
Maybe I am just jealous. I mean really jealous.... the guy has no job, no responsibilities, riding a couple miles a day and the rest of the time doing 'I don't know what', no money of his own, using other peoples money for this bike tour to get healthy.
And that is not fat-bashing.
Who pays for their visits to hospitals?

scrming

he explained the 40 MPH. He accidentally left his phone in the car so Angie drive it to him.

NYSteve

Homey has no job but is riding a nice bike than me, eating better than I can afford to, and riding in what I believe is some of the most beautiful area's of this country.

I am a little jealous, bitter, and annoyed. I also wish I had the Nads to do what he is doing.

Yendor72

I would also like to hear from those that started off at a similar weight to him. Were 15-20 mile rides possible while weighing close to 500lbs? Not fat bashing, I truly want to know how much of a struggle this is, and it would probably help others here to understand what he may be going through. As far as the other mental hurdles that someone in his predicament has to deal with I am sure there are lots of stories here that mirror his.

I am also still skeptical about his intentions. I saw a rant from him regarding a reality show. I figure if the Kardashian's can have one why can't he. We make people famous for all sorts of reasons, why not this guy and his wife?

Flatbroke

I used to camp a lot when I was young. Sleeping on the ground with or without a mat was easy. As I got a little older sleeping on the ground without a Mat was not fun. And now there is slim chance I will sleep in a tent or on a Cot.
just sleeping every day in a tent has to be a huge challenge for these folks and if they are I commend them for that.

Also due to size he has to have some medical issues such as sleep apnea that makes sleeping in best of conditions tough.

Traditionally the American people like to root for and support the underdog, the challenged up against difficult odds, or the little guy and in this case "fat guy across America"

Not sure of his motive but feel confident that he is attempting or claims to be be attempting one heck of a challenge even for someone in shape. He has received support from the people not just in America but it appears from a few other countries.

because of the generosity of good natured folks he is able to do had he chooses. Their gift benefits both of them. The joy of giving is just that. Giving.

Ive unfortunately arrested several people that prey upon the good nature of the human race. Will he make it across the untied states , maybe yes, maybe no. Does it seem feasible given the displayed efforts, probably not within the next year. At least not by bicycle.

Hope for his sake the good people keep giving. The holiday season is approaching and wallets open up so maybe he can stock up for the lean times.

Gigglesnit

Been on my bike about a year (very casual, still not in great physical shape even though I'm technically in the normal weight range and have been for almost two years). I guess this is a strange place for a first post on a bike forum, but this story caught my attention.

He comes off as shady to me. His last post says he turned off trackers and just rode. That's fine. Except he's getting funded to do this ride. I say he owes it to everyone who has donated to show his progress in the most reliable way he can. To prove he's doing what he says he is.

Off topic, but it was semi-brought up: A Clyde/Athena might be heavy but not out of shape, but what about a skinny fat short woman like me, who is under 140? Am I an Athena because I'm not a lean bicyclist but instead carry 30 pounds of useless around with me? Just curious.

Looking forward to learning here and enjoying this forum, even if I did find it only because of FGAA, and no matter where that fellow finally ends up.

kc0bbq

I don't think there's a weight check at the door here, a lot of us stick around even after "graduating" from Clyde status (though, at 6'2" I'll always be a Clyde by the triathlon definition).

This guy sets off my scam detectors, but people have to decide what to do with their own money. If people didn't fall for Nigerian prince emails those wouldn't be sent out...

Gigglesnit

Thanks! I think my extra pounds makes riding more difficult, which is a great reason to want it gone, regardless of where I fall as far as categories. I used to be 250 pounds, but I sure couldn't ride a bike. I'm really impressed by people with a long weight loss journey ahead who can and do.

It would be great if this guy was for real, or somehow became the real thing along the way. As so many have already pointed out, though, Winter is coming. But who knows?

Lunchbox1987

Man I can't believe this is back up after the 20+ pages of controversy the last thread was. I'm actually surprised. The first time around I believed in him, was excited about riding with him and wanted nothing but to see him do it but slowly kinda gave up hope. Never responded to me on ig or fb about riding and I ended up removing myself from the fb account. I didn't realize I still had him on ig until a week or two ago when he just dumped a bunch of photos of him crossing into nj.

I just don't feed into it, don't feed the troll. My coworker showed me the nyt article and I said whatever. If he makes it then the best to him, if not, then whatever. My personal goals are more important than watching this guy possibly make a fool out of the plus sized cyclists.

Flatbroke

Not the best photo but it is of the pacific as I saw it this morning. It's waiting for you. Keep peddling or what ever you are doing.

ColaJacket

Here are my thoughts about FGAA.

I do think he is a legitimate subject. And his progress makes him more legitimate. At least it looks like he is really trying. I couldn't care less about his gf/ex-wife/whatever. It is his journey that counts. And if he can actually make it across the US, then maybe we can say that bicycling helped him to straighten out his life. And maybe he'll talk to people that can help him (e.g. bicyclists, nutritionists, MD's, etc.), so that he can make the trip safely, too.

No, he is not eating healthy, but from what I can tell, he is actually biking and making progress now. Will he make it across the US? The odds are against him, but he is trying.

Now, I'm not saying to go and donate to him. But working towards his goal of biking across America may help him in other ways, and as he works his way across the U.S., he may be able to start working towards other goals.

GH

scrming

Yep, he LOOKS like he is trying... and that is what he wants... he wants you to believe he is trying...

I believe he is biking the absolute bare minimum to keep people interested, keep the donations coming in and not being a complete fraud.... He rides a couple of days, takes 5 days off... He has constantly ignored very sound advise from very experienced people and professionals.

I'm sorry you cannot turn your life around by simply riding every few days. For someone like Mr. Hites it is a drastic and complete lifestyle change. I know I've done it. While i was not 500+ pounds, i was still in pretty bad shape. September 2014, i put my foot down and decided to "reclaim my health". I started out at 325 pounds, ate junk food all day long and couldn't go up a flight of stairs. I got control of my eating, cutting out the crap and practicing portion control. I started walking around the block and then eventually doing short rides.... I kept training over the winter.... i started doing Cat 5 races in the spring... in fact i just completed my 12th race this last weekend... and I've lost 110 pounds! It take a lot of determination and commitment... and Mr. Hites has really not shown that. For him it's all about getting publicity... which brings in the donations....

For his next appearance he will be running up the stairs in Philly, just like Rocky.... Sorry, that is nothing more than a publicity stunt!!

jr59

IDK, but maybe this guy.

Breaking the Cycle

bgraham111

That's what I'm talking about. I just followed him on Strava. That's freakin' awesome. Thanks!

jr59

Big E has been at it a while, still racing in the northeast and has a couple of sponsor type deals. Not sure about the go fund me deal. Write him, he's great about answering. Also if you have FB, you can follow him as he posts lots of pics this time of year.

yea, he's pretty awesome, and from what a few friends tell me, a really good guy!

brianmcg123

This reminds me of the Fat Man Walking guy that tried to walk the route 66 across America. Seems like a lot of the same issues. I remember that guy would go into town and eat 3-4 helpings of chicken fried steak and all the fixin's and kept wondering why the weight wasnt coming off.

Gigglesnit

Now this is someone who has earned whatever support he has gotten along the way. I read the list of what he's done so far and it's jaw dropping.

He's broke, divorced, and pretty close to homeless now, too. Very sad, though he seems to still have some hope and he doesn't regret his decision.

But it's a timely reminder that just exercising and losing some weight, whether in the more usual or in some extremely unusual way, isn't going to fix a person's life.

scrming

great point. Even if Mr. Hites loses a lot of weight it's really only going to be a very superficial change...

scrming

That sounds like Mr. Hites. He basically brags about these big unhealthy meals that he eats... He also has admitted he's not going to give up his favorite foods no matter how unhealthy they are. His followers keep enabling him telling him it's ok because he deserves it!!!

baron von trail 

I know fit people who pedaled across the country in about 30 days, some took 40. IMO, an unfit person cannot do it even in 100 days. The climbs alone would end the trip for someone in this guy's shape.

Flatbroke

That would be a no cell, spot and maybe a 50 mph mistaken uphill strava post

Beachgrad05

I old enough to remember Terry Fox who attempted to run across Canada to raise money for Cancer and he had little support or publicity thanks to the different era. Today he would likely have garnered several tens of thousands of $ if not millions. He was a one legged man, running on a crappy artificial leg and had ONE friend supporting him and they lived in a van. He ran from one point to next. No shortcuts. No sight seeing. No hoopla. Noble cause. He died before he finished. He is inspiring. FGAA not so much.

indyfabz

That sums it up for me.

Query: Is there a way to view the route he has allegedly ridden? I live in Philly and familiar with NJ. Early on he hinted at taking U.S. 1 all the way to town. That would be suicide and likely illegal in places. This makes me wonder whether he is, in fact, getting driven through places and getting out and riding for "show." I don't know the first thing about Strava. Is there a way you could get a car ride and make it look like you rode a bike?

indyfabz

+1. I did Seattle to Bar Harbor, ME (with two excursions into Canada) in 93 days riding a bike+gear that weighed 90 lbs. I was 35 and in probably the best shape of my life. This guy isn't carrying his gear anymore and he's still riding peanuts. I cannot imagine him riding some 25 mile climb our west, not to mention the fact that, at his pace, he's never going to make it to the Rockies, much less over them, before snow sets in.

Gigglesnit

Well maybe some people have a 'go out into the wilderness' experience with life alterations like this and fix everything major that was wrong with their lives through it, but I don't think most of us get to be that cohesive and lucky.