Fat Guy Across the U.S.
#276
Senior Member
Sorry, clean up your monitor.
I find this "fat guy" is trying to get famous for what people in this forum do every day, which sickens me. I do hope that some that are "inspired" by this guy do make positive changes in their lives. I like to read and contribute to this forum about doing positive things to change our lives, taking real advice from real clydes (or former clydes) to work on both the mental and physical parts of our lives. This helps me get into the correct mindset to tackle the obstacles I have. Not some guy that needs to beg his way across America (RI). If he wanted help he'd have come here. I have seen people give bike frames and all sorts of other things away here to someone that is sincere about their efforts.
I find this "fat guy" is trying to get famous for what people in this forum do every day, which sickens me. I do hope that some that are "inspired" by this guy do make positive changes in their lives. I like to read and contribute to this forum about doing positive things to change our lives, taking real advice from real clydes (or former clydes) to work on both the mental and physical parts of our lives. This helps me get into the correct mindset to tackle the obstacles I have. Not some guy that needs to beg his way across America (RI). If he wanted help he'd have come here. I have seen people give bike frames and all sorts of other things away here to someone that is sincere about their efforts.
#277
The Improbable Bulk
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I just read a couple of his blog entries, and found the description of the epic climb of Martha's Vineyard very heroic. Then I looked up the geography of the island, and saw that the highest point is 311 feet. I weigh over 400 pounds and don't haul a trailer, but I usually describe my favorite ride as relatively flat with a mild incline... It has 550 feet of elevation gain in 8.5 miles...
Admittedly it would be much harder hauling a large trailer of crap, but you think after the 2 days of continual up hill on a relatively flat island he would have figured out how much of the stuff he had wasn't worth carrying... especially with the Appalachians just a few months riding away. I know I would have found a way to avoid a couple of motels in the next couple of days and upgraded my trailer to a Bob-like unit and jettison about 80% of the crap I was carrying.
I would LOVE to see the list of items in that trailer.
Admittedly it would be much harder hauling a large trailer of crap, but you think after the 2 days of continual up hill on a relatively flat island he would have figured out how much of the stuff he had wasn't worth carrying... especially with the Appalachians just a few months riding away. I know I would have found a way to avoid a couple of motels in the next couple of days and upgraded my trailer to a Bob-like unit and jettison about 80% of the crap I was carrying.
I would LOVE to see the list of items in that trailer.
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Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
#278
Senior Member
Yeah, I think everyone on this forum can empathize with the guy and makes sense why we'd be behind him; but I've seen folks here do greater things with less need for attention grabbing.
And if he did ride through my neck of the woods and needed assistance, I'd help him as well.
And if he did ride through my neck of the woods and needed assistance, I'd help him as well.
#279
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Buffalo, NY
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I just read a couple of his blog entries, and found the description of the epic climb of Martha's Vineyard very heroic. Then I looked up the geography of the island, and saw that the highest point is 311 feet. I weigh over 400 pounds and don't haul a trailer, but I usually describe my favorite ride as relatively flat with a mild incline... It has 550 feet of elevation gain in 8.5 miles...
If he's legit, and this is the first time he's biked in a long time, then 311 feet is quite an achievement; especially at that weight.
#280
Member
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Well, one way or the other, tomorrow is supposedly the day where he starts regular riding again. He also supposedly will share his GPS location, which means if he's not where he proclaims to be, that's gonna come out pretty quickly.
#281
SuperGimp
I'm calling it now - no forward progress this week.
#282
Member
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You know, that part I didn't get either. I've heard both, that his wife will drive the truck as a support vehicle, and that she will ride alongside him. Oh, and that she will join him biking in Indiana.
#284
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Join Date: Jun 2014
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I'm not going to list them here but there are two other people that come to mind that have fan bases similar to this donk. Even when the obvious is staring them in the face they refuse to believe that their "inspirations" are nothing more than delusional liars and, in this case, outright frauds. It doesn't help that most of the fans of these stories are the type that typically fall for the latest diet and/or get rich quick schemes.
#286
Senior Member
I say that but I wish the guy luck. Though it is looking like most of the doubters in this thread may be at least partially correct I'd like to see him overcome his obstacles and turn out be legit, though maybe a bit lost.
#288
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.
.
.
.
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Even though he doesn't have any legs.
But seriously, this marine needs to pay the fat guy a visit, and either kick his ass in gear and back to biking or make him quit.
GH
#289
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admittedly it would be much harder hauling a large trailer of crap, but you think after the 2 days of continual up hill on a relatively flat island he would have figured out how much of the stuff he had wasn't worth carrying... Especially with the appalachians just a few years riding away. i know i would have found a way to avoid a couple of motels in the next couple of days and upgraded my trailer to a bob-like unit and jettison about 80% of the crap i was carrying.
gh
#290
The Improbable Bulk
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Since I have seen nothing even vaguely negative, I would suspect so... However, I think he could be turning down the chance for legitimate opinions regarding what should and should not be taken on a long tour.
Even if he is only carrying legitimate things, he should get it compacted into a more touring oriented trailer instead of a cargo trailer.
For anyone who hasn't seen what a loaded touring bike usually looks like, here is what the cross country rig of the author of xcountrybike.com looked like:
And according to the site, he was typically camping on his trip, with only an occasional hotel. I don't know if this was before or after he jettisoned the things that he decided were providing nothing but extra weight.
Even if he is only carrying legitimate things, he should get it compacted into a more touring oriented trailer instead of a cargo trailer.
For anyone who hasn't seen what a loaded touring bike usually looks like, here is what the cross country rig of the author of xcountrybike.com looked like:
And according to the site, he was typically camping on his trip, with only an occasional hotel. I don't know if this was before or after he jettisoned the things that he decided were providing nothing but extra weight.
__________________
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
#291
The Improbable Bulk
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA
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__________________
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
#293
Just Keep Pedaling
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Fat Guy Across the U.S.
I'm wondering how wifey is getting to Newport, is shop donating ANOTHER bike and supplies? Has the truck been fixed?
#296
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Seriously....That seems to be his canned response lately. He's going to respond to this at that question soon. He's going to be posting his route soon. He's going to be adding photos and video soon. He's going to be posting GPS information soon. If he's not riding (his conflicting claims in that regard have me scratching my head), what in the world is he doing all day?
I tour. From the photos I have seen, his tent is huge and heavy. One photo shows numerous 2L soda bottles. Now I fully understand the occasional need to carry extra disposable bottles when you ride through long stretches with no potable water, but that's not what he's doing. Not even close. And I am not sure if you know that he was/is a self-confessed hoarder. I think it's mentioned on his web site.
#297
Runaway Breadtruck
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I do know, but hoarders fascinate me. I think it would be cool to see what a hoarder thinks is important for a cross-country bike trip.
that and I'm not sure he actually knows what is in the trailer. From the photos I saw it looks like a bunch of stuff hastily thrown in and lashed down.
that and I'm not sure he actually knows what is in the trailer. From the photos I saw it looks like a bunch of stuff hastily thrown in and lashed down.
#298
SuperGimp
I do know, but hoarders fascinate me. I think it would be cool to see what a hoarder thinks is important for a cross-country bike trip.
that and I'm not sure he actually knows what is in the trailer. From the photos I saw it looks like a bunch of stuff hastily thrown in and lashed down.
that and I'm not sure he actually knows what is in the trailer. From the photos I saw it looks like a bunch of stuff hastily thrown in and lashed down.
"It would be cool to see in a couple months what was useful"... yeah, if you need to know what to bring to get from the western border of MASS to the eastern border of RI.
What on earth DOES he do all day?
#299
Senior Member
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Give him a damn break. He's too busy not riding to answer you.
Seriously....That seems to be his canned response lately. He's going to respond to this at that question soon. He's going to be posting his route soon. He's going to be adding photos and video soon. He's going to be posting GPS information soon. If he's not riding (his conflicting claims in that regard have me scratching my head), what in the world is he doing all day?
I tour. From the photos I have seen, his tent is huge and heavy. One photo shows numerous 2L soda bottles. Now I fully understand the occasional need to carry extra disposable bottles when you ride through long stretches with no potable water, but that's not what he's doing. Not even close. And I am not sure if you know that he was/is a self-confessed hoarder. I think it's mentioned on his web site.
Seriously....That seems to be his canned response lately. He's going to respond to this at that question soon. He's going to be posting his route soon. He's going to be adding photos and video soon. He's going to be posting GPS information soon. If he's not riding (his conflicting claims in that regard have me scratching my head), what in the world is he doing all day?
I tour. From the photos I have seen, his tent is huge and heavy. One photo shows numerous 2L soda bottles. Now I fully understand the occasional need to carry extra disposable bottles when you ride through long stretches with no potable water, but that's not what he's doing. Not even close. And I am not sure if you know that he was/is a self-confessed hoarder. I think it's mentioned on his web site.
GH
#300
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Reminds me of a certain someone who started a certain thread years ago who kept saying he was going to get his seat fitment dialed in, but it never seemed to happen.