FlamsteadHill

Wow, you've come a long ways. Congrats, that is indeed life changing. Keep up the good work, no matter whether you become a "TV Model" or not, you are improving Your life and the lives of those who love you. Just keep on keeping on.

DarkMonohue

Hey, everybody. Looks like this is place for me. I'm in my early 40s, male, about 5'7" and flattening the scales at around two and a quarter. This may have to do with the fact that, historically speaking, I've not enjoyed exercise and, to be diplomatic about it, have never been particularly careful about what I eat. They say these things will catch up with you. Frankly, I'm tired of my clothes not fitting.

I took a new job last year where several coworkers are avid/rabid cyclists. Surprisingly, they've been encouraging. My wife suggested we dust off the bikes and I ended up replacing a very old Fuji Suncrest with an even older Trek 7000 MTB (see my other posts for a pic). It was in pretty decent shape as purchased, so I've just done some minor maintenance and added a few tweaks here and there. There are no major problems other than the enormous lump on the seat.

The bike came with good road tires and has a few little tweaks that make it a pretty good casual commuter. I've been trying to ride about 20-30 miles per week, including a weekly commute to work and back, ten miles each way. Although I have yet to see any significant weight loss, it's a lot of fun, and every week I feel faster and more capable. Fingers are crossed that the weight will start dropping off as I increase my activity and start to improve my diet.

If nothing else, it's great to discover that there is a form of exercise that I enjoy and that doesn't punish my flat feet and bargain-basement knees. Walking long distances can be difficult and running is a non-starter. The bike has been a real pleasure so far. It may be fun to try a road bike someday but at this point I'm not sure I'd see the benefit, and not confident that any bike I could justify would hold up to my mass and ham-fisted treatment.

ScottInMT

Hey everyone! My name's Scott. I certainly fit in the Clyde category as I am 6'3" and 290 lbs. At 51 years old, I finally got sick and tired of being sick and tired, and I decided to make some changes. I would get gassed just walking up a couple of flights of stairs. So I bought a bike a week ago and started riding.

This is actually a return to cycling for me as I rode a lot in my younger years (around 150 miles/week on average and multiple centuries), but due to work/school/family responsibilities (and general laziness) I stopped riding in my early 20's.

I was in a pretty severe motorcycle accident a number of years ago resulting in a spiral fracture of my left Tibia (among other injuries). It healed fine, and I get around with no problem, but my leg can't take the impact of running, so it is cycling for me. I loved cycling when I was young, and I knew that if I didn't find an exercise that I enjoyed, I wouldn't stick with it.

By the end of today, I will have 40 miles for this first week. Not a lot, but I am trying to get back into it slowly. I don't want to overdo it, hurt myself, and then quit.

My goal is to get back under 200 lbs.

snowman40

I'm not new here...someone quoted me from years ago and I decided to come back and see what's up.

Last year, I was 315.8 pounds and hadn't been on a bike in several years due to unemployment, crappy insurance (or no insurance) and then crappy jobs. Today, I'm down to 287 and back on my bike at least on weekends. I'd like it to be more often then that, but commuting 30 miles one way doesn't leave a lot of extra time during the week. Of course excessive heat warnings, fog, and waking up late meant no ride today.

jeepin784

Hey everyone my name is Mike and I'm brand new to the forum and pretty Green when it comes to bikes. I currently ride a Trek Verve 3 but to be honest I really don't ride very much because I just don't enjoy that bike. I grew up mountain biking in the mountains of Virginia and would like to get back to that at some point but for now I want to hit the road. I'm currently shopping for a road bike for a couple of reasons. I'm actually shopping for 2 bikes since my 11 year old wants to start riding more and her mountain bike just doesn't cut it for putting the miles in. She's gotten her butt kicked in the biking portion of our local kids Triathlon the last 2 years as the other bikers went zipping by her. I'm trying to find one for each of us so I can keep up with her! My other motivation is weight loss. I'm currently sitting around 230# down from my all time high about 4 years ago of 277. I was a runner when I was younger but due to some health issues as much as I've tried to run I just can't seem to do it. I've started swimming, but I'd like to get into biking so switch up my exercise some. I look forward to soaking up all of the knowledge that I can and hopefully give some back (once I have some to give!) living where I do I've been told we have some fantastic biking opportunities so I'm hoping to take advantage of them.

Nooner

Hello everyone I'm a new one to the forum. I used to race in the 1990's at about 155. After an accident I left the cycling scene for quite a bit and ballooned up to 255. Last year I got back into cycling to rehab a recent injury and found the drive I used to have. I now carry about 195/205 and plan to drop more.... I'd like to reach 165 and hold it there. A new road bike awaits me when I reach that number.
Until then a heavy steel frame DB MTB is what I ride. Punish first, pleasure later.
Anyway its nice to see this subforum.

jeromeoneil

I'm 5'10. In 1987 I joined the Navy and wieghed in at 150. Six years later I got out and weighed in at around 175, mostly with muscle. I stayed around there for a long time, and managed to maintain weight riding mountain bikes. In 2007 I started working for an Irish company, and spent a lot of time over the pond, where I met my wife. And that's where the trouble started....

It goes like this. I can, and do, eat. I loves me some food, and am a bit of a dog in that if it's in front of me, I'm eating it. When in Europe, portion sizes are usually fit for a human. In America, portion sizes are usually fit for three humans. So when my wife came over here, we'd go out to eat, and I'd eat my usually three person sized pile of grub. She would eat about half of hers and be completely stuffed. So I'd eat the other half. A year ago, I was 250lbs. I went to my doc, got an obesity diagnosis, and then used my HSA to go through a ketogenic (a.k.a. carb limited) diet program, which was fantastic. I'm down around 200 right now and just getting on a bike again. I'm targeting 180.

Danballa

Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm Ben, live in a rural area in central Oh. I'm a stroke survivor, who after 13yrs, is finally able to ride! So far, I have only been riding on back country roads, and will keep it that way, until I get some lights. (Currently looking for them)

I started a couple months ago, on a Diamondback Insight 2. I bought it, as it was cheap, and I really didn't know if I would safely be able to ride any bike. I didn't want to buy something super expensive, only to find out that my physical health prevented me from riding. I was thinking I would upgrade after 1000 miles or so, but so far, it's doing everything I ask of it, with no real need to upgrade anything yet.

breakwater

Hi all. New to the forum... haven't been on a bike since i was 15 or 16... I'm in Houston and am a Clydesdale. I'll make a separate post on the type of bike I'm hoping for...

I did a quick skim of some of the topics in here earlier and everyone seems very friendly and knowledgeable. I'm hoping cycling will get me out of the house / office a bit more and obviously get some health benefits.

DRAGON 64

Hello all, my name is Johnnie and I live in North Alabama. Recent medical events and advice has steered me back to an interest in rekindling my love for the ride. Lose the salt, bale the carbs, leave the sugar alone... and gets some exercise. My top out weight for this adventure was 307 some 3.5 to 4-weeks ago. I have not weighed since, but pretty sure that I am below 300 now...

No bike yet, or any gear, but will change by this weekend I feel. There is a local bike shop that is having a year end sale on 2017 Trek, Felt bikes, so I am hopeful to find a model to fit my needs.

I do not believe I will be a trail blazer at first, but rather a road rider. There are a number of surfaced bike trails, or hard packed dirt trails, so I am narrowing down to a hybrid or road bike. It was recommended that I get a comfort bike, but we will see what comes home with me by weeks end.

Jeffoutlaw

Hi all! I've been a member for some time now but only a couple of posts so far. I started my journey back in January with a 2013 trek marlin mountain bike. Starting weight was 289lbs. Dropped down to 249lbs by April and had a bike accident that tore my left quad tendon and put me out of work and off my bike for 3 months. Needless to say I have traded mountain biking for road cycling... Sort of. I purchased a 2015 Raleigh Roper 1x9 gravel/cyclocross /urban commuter directly from Raleigh in July. That bike is awesome! It came with flat bars but my LBS is putting dirt drops on it for me today. My hands have been going numb after about 20 miles or so, so I decided to try drops by easing into them. I'm 6'4"and currently 260lbs. My goal is 225. I'll post pics on Friday when I pick my bike up from the shop. Thanks for being such a great community and place to gain knowledge. Jeff

5kdad

My name is Larry. Everyone say, "Hi Larry", like an AA meeting.
Time to "reintroduce" myself. I turned 60 last December. Am 5'6". Not too many years ago, I was under 200. Last doctor's visit, I weighed in at just over 240. I've neglected riding this year, and not only has my weight gone up, but so has my blood pressure. When I don't ride on a regular basis and eat too much processed food, my BP rises. Bike regularly and eat mostly whole foods (unprocessed veggies, fruit, nuts, seeds, and grains), my BP goes down. But I get busy, don't take time to ride, and often eat the wrong things.
A couple of medical scares this year, has left me in an "unsettled" state. A routine check up earlier this year, resulted in referrals to an oncologist (high white blood and lymphocyte counts) and urologist (high PSA). I'm in the same "boat" with both those specialists (your count is abnormally high but stable, so let's monitor it for awhile).
If for no other reason, I need to drop some weight, for the BP problem. Lately at home, it's measured around 140-145/90-95. I seem to have "white coat syndrome", as my last 3 doctor's visits this past month has resulted in numbers around 162-171/98-102. In just a few days of healthy eating, my BP will be closer to the ideal 120/80.
Time to climb back on the healthy eating/regular exercising lifestyle.
I have no excuses. I have a road and mt bike. I am self-employed and have Schwinn Airdyne bikes, both at home, and at my office.

norcalmike

Mike from Santa Cruz. Casual rider but im getting out more and more. Beautiful riding weather here and a bike friendly town. I was 335 at my heaviest about 10 years ago but had stayed around 310-315 for the last 10. Cut waaaaay back on the carbs and eliminated 95% of any junk food. Dropped 35 LBS in about 6 months. Sitting around 280 now and went from a 3xl to a 2xl and had to replace my belt and pants. Wooot! I feel ready to step up my riding game now and go for some longer rides. Mt wife snapped this in front of the house on a quick test ride on my Bianchi. Normally I don't ride without a helmet in flip flops


2017-10-08_03-01-51 by Norcal Mike, on Flickr

dfull

Hello everyone, my name is Dane. I'm from a very rural part of Texas. Ages ago I was 6'1" and maintained about 180 through running & playing any sport with a ball involved. Got my back busted up pretty badly when I was about 30 so all activity stopped. My appetite kept going though. 3 months ago I weighed in at 305. My doc told me I was pre-diabetic, needed bariatric surgery and was headed toward an early death. I talked him into giving me a year before forcing me to make a decision. Now I tip the scales at about 275 with my goal being 200. I've started riding a stationary bike and am up to 1 hour rides. Now I'm looking to get outside on a real bike.

breakwater

Welcome! This is a great forum and there are lots of knowledgeable members who will be happy to help you get riding. If you have specific questions, and haven't done so, you may want to start a specific thread. Before you do that, I'd encourage you to read back a little in the forum history as that many of your questions may have already been answered.

Kokiafan

Bob here.
Not sure what I make of this place yet. Introducing myself here mainly because the thread gets a lot of traffic.

I am a larger guy 235-245 who used to weigh 320. Been riding 50 of my 57 years, am trying to get back into it after a layoff for a while. The cycling community in florida is a lot like florida society--you are either one of the beautiful people or you are not. fat riders have no place here, and we certainly are not sought out as a group. We wear generic riding clothes because the geek jersies don't look right or just don't fit. we ride alone because we can't keep up. I have a really nice Ultegra group on a crappy no name frame, and it does not work right. I am trying to get a frame that does work, and hopefully things might get better.

are there people in palm beach county who are like me?

PdalPowr

Hello from Canada.
After being too busy for a long time I'm back into biking in a big way.
The scsle tells me I am roughly 275 but I swear it is off by at least a pound.

My entry level Norco hybrid is a good bike but can't keep up with me.

See you soon

PdalPowr

Hi,I'm six two two hundred seventy pounds but should be two ten.
I hate exercise unless it is enjoyable and then it isn't exercise.
I would rather bike one hundred miles than walk one unnecessarily.

miksi

Hi to all! Greetings from small country in South East Europe called Montenegro. Another Clyde here 201cm and 120kg - 6'7" and 265lbs. I have been lurking for a while glad to find place where I can read first hand experiences on cycling by from us that belong to heavyweight and super heavyweight divisions (wrong sport, I know)

Mark Stone

Hello miksi, welcome!!

maletero

Hi. I just started riding outside again, for the first time in about six or seven years. The past three years, I've been putting about an hour a night on the trainer, four days a week. Zooming around on the road is a lot more fun.

I'm right around 6'0" and have been bouncing around 250 lbs for the past six months, down a bit from my high, but trying to lose more.

Mark Stone

Welcome to Clydesdales/Athenas -- Tucson is a great bicycling city! I haven't ridden there in a while, but have great memories of riding up the Mt. Lemmon highway.

KarlK

Returning to this forum after about 7 years .

Killer Cougar

Hey!!!

My name is Brian and I'm currently about 265 and 5'10". Been riding off and on for a couple of years now but finally said to myself that this is the year and I've got to do something different. Currently riding a 2009 Jamis Ventura Race and a early 90's ten speed turned gravel bike. Current plans for the year include a 50 mile gravel ride, a sprint triathlon, and a couple 5ks. Here's to 2018 and everyone accomplishing their goals!

KarlK

Returning Clyde after about 7 years. Now on a Peloton getting ready for warmer weather.