Jughed

I'm riding a frame that is one size too big for my legs, but on the small size for my torso.

And yep, I was a powerlifter. Never serious, but I was born to bench press.

downtube42

Yeah I got the long torso thing too. I used to have a buddy my height (6'2") who was all legs. We could have swapped legs and both be proportionally correct.

OP has significant cycling advantages over most people IMO. Better power/weight, smaller draft behind him, lighter bikes.

Grass is always greener, I suppose.

jonathanf2

I still maintain a weightlifting routine. Though I find it a double edge sword. It gives me more muscle power on the bike, but I also think it's preventing me from cutting weight. That, I enjoy eating too much good food!

I'm not trying to PR though, I like to maintain a simple 225 bench, 315 squat and 405 deadlift, mobility stretching and body workouts like pull-ups and dips. A lot of people on this forum have mentioned strength training isn't necessary, but I almost feel it's the only way for a smaller cyclists to stay competitive especially when getting closer to the half-century age mark.

jonathanf2

I notice you're in Portland. I was there over the summer visiting family and brought my bike. I rode several times up Council Crest Park and did a bunch of hill repeats at Mt. Tabor. Even though Portland is considered a bike destination city, strangely I found bike culture isn't as friendly. In LA, it's basically a ride-at-your-own-risk mentality, but cyclists are always quick to acknowledge one another. I even did a Portland Friday group ride and the organizer said he started the ride because he wanted something more challenging as opposed to cycling-for-beers!

downtube42

There's a thing they call the Seattle Freeze, which really applies to the PNW in general. Essentially, the culture makes it difficult for newcomers to break into existing groups. I've been here six years, and very much am still a newcomer.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Freeze

jonathanf2

It's funny, I was born in the PNW and grew up in Portland! I think moving to SoCal actually made me much more outgoing and friendly. Since everyone else is a transplant in LA, people try to make friends more often. Though I still maintain contact with many of my old elementary school friends in Portland. In fact my love of cycling stems from riding around Portland on my BMX or MTB during those long summer days as a kid. I only discovered road/gravel riding into my older age, but I had a blast taking my gravel bike around the Rose City!