Can a Fat Lady Ride

[bamakathy]

I am turning fifty next month and I have let myself go until I am so fat now (247 lbs.) I need desperately to get in hsape. I have an old single speed bike with a coaster brake, and I got it out today and aired it up. I loved bike riding as a young girl and starting out I loved the feeling of the wind in my face. However, after a ten min ride I was panting, sweating, heart pounding like a sledge hammer and my thighs felt like they were on fire. My doctor says there is no reason I can't exercise as long as I start out slow What is slow in cycling? Can a fat lady ride?

[Nanci]

Of course you can ride! Just start out slowly, with a comfortable heart rate. Make sure you drink enough, and maybe even eat a snack if you plan on being out an hour or so. For sure, don't start on an empty stomach- you won't have the energy to ride. You'll be able to burn off a 100-200 calorie snack easily.

Go as many days a week as possible! If you are counting calories in general, just don't add back in the hundreds you burn. Even 45 minutes to an hour a day is effective!!

Nanci

[tulip]

OF COURSE!!! Welcome! Start slow and be consistent. Keep a diary or record, and pretty soon you'll see improvements. I bet within a year, if you keep up the good work that you have already BRAVELY started, you will be eyeing a new bike, too.

I'm sure there will be lots of encouragement and advice to follow. There are some inspiring stories by some inspiring women on these forums.

Please keep us posted!

[uforgot]

Pretty soon that 10 minute ride is going to be 20, then half hour. I just bet that every day you get a little stronger and fitter. One step at a time. Keep it up! We are rooting for you!

[bamakathy]

You have no idea how much your encouragement means. My family thought me riding a bike was hilarious. :(

[fatbottomedgurl]

I read this today and I think it is perfect for you, and everyone who is brave enough to start what seems impossible.

Taken from a speech by President Theodore Roosevelt April 23, 1910; delivered at the Sorbonne in Paris.

" It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worse, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

[laughlaugh18]

You have no idea how much your encouragement means. My family thought me riding a bike was hilarious. :(

Silly family! Don't let them deter you.

I still think of myself as a beginning rider, and I know how daunting it can seem when you're talking about riding 10 minutes and others are talking about riding 100 miles! Don't worry about that. When your 10 minutes turn into 20 and then 30 and then maybe a hill or two, you'll feel great. Everyone around here applauds people reaching for their own goals.

You might want to consider getting a bike with gears sooner rather than later (even if it's an inexpensive one for starters). Gears make life sooooo much easier for those of us who are, um, excercise-challenged ;) and you'll find you can keep going for much longer than you thought possible.

Cathy

[residentgeek]

I started riding at the beginning of this April. Like you, I haven't ridden since I was a kid and I'm trying to lose about 75 pounds. My oldest wanted to go out for a ride and I figured it would be easy to keep up with her. HA!

10 minutes later, I was SURE I was going to die. The kid ended up going on without me for another 15 minutes while I sat on the porch and caught my breath and tried not to pass out.

So now it's been about three weeks, and I just did a 3.5 mile 30 minute ride. I was breathing hard afterward, but I'm plenty conscious and really don't feel like I need to make funeral arrangements. So keep it up. A little at a time, 10, 15 minutes a day, build up, and you'll be fine. Push yourself, but don't completely overdo it. You'll be there in no time!

[Eagle-Eye]

You can, and you should ride! Cycling has been the only form of exercise I am consistent with. I imagine that's because it's fun.

I started out on my hybrid about 4 years ago. I have now lost about 50 pounds. Sure, it's been slow (and I still have a ways to go), but I'm going in the right direction. I now have a road bike as well. I couldn't imagine myself on a skinny tire bike back then!

I started out going 2 miles, tops, on my rides. All of a sudden that was easy and I upped it to 3, and so on. Last year, I finished a MS 150 ride (150 miles over 2 days). I am currently training for my first century! None of this seemed possible just a few years ago!

Don't let your family keep you off your bike! If it is something you love doing, keep doing it! The pounds will come off, and you will gain so much in fitness and more importantly how you feel about yourself! Just be sure to start slowly, and celebrate all the gains (even the small ones) you acheive.

[bamakathy]

Just hearing how many of you have done this gives me hope. I think of bike riders as tall, thin people in little stretchy suits. But maybe that's what I'll be after doing this for awhile! If you all can stick with this, so can I!

[Trek420]

...the fat lady can kick skinny rider butt. :)

like this film

http://www.virago-productions.com/wellrounded

I especially like the quote from Lisa Bennett, Rider #6066

"When I'm lifting weights with my trainer at the gym, and she leans down and whispers, 'see that thin girl over there? She can't do half of what you can,' I realize all over again that what society says about large women simply isn't true. You CAN be large and physically fit at the same time." -

[Andi]

Way to go. Just take it slow and easy. Like others have said you will find you can go farther each time out. I started riding again last year and have built up the miles. I don't even panic any longer when I see a hill HA. Keep it up and keep us posted on your progress.

[KnottedYet]

I am a tall thin chickie in a stretchy suit! I cannot tell you how much (its almost sick... almost!) I enjoy checking out my own stomach and butt in the bathroom mirror. Would you believe that I need to buy new bike shorts soon because my old ones are getting too big? Who'd've EVER thought that embarrassing skintight leave-nothing-to-the-imagination shorts could get too big and loose?!?!

I love riding a bike. I didn't even think about the fact that I would lose weight, I just loved riding. The freedom of it. Freedom is the biggest part of it for me. I cannot bear the thought of ever giving up the freedom to move myself under my own power like I do on my bike. Whatever bike I have. (my bikes are cheap, and I am fickle. i buy a new one and sell the old one every 4 or 5 years)

Please, even before you buy a new bike, get a pair of bike shorts. Even if you wear them under regular clothes. They will seriously help with the chafed inner thigh issues that come up on longer rides. I don't know how I would've made it without my lycra shorts!

You go, girl! I'm rooting for you!!

[KnottedYet]

Oh, yeah, and think about this: you doing an exercise (of any sort) is like some skinny chickie doing the same exercise with 20-40 lb weights strapped on her arms and legs, and a 40 lb backpack on.

That's some serious muscle!

[Popoki_Nui]

Not so long ago I was where you are now. I've dropped almost 50 pounds, and where I could barely ride 5km, I can do 50km in an afternoon and more.
As the song says, you'll have "good days and bad days and goin' half mad days", but probably the hardest part is done: your decision to air up the old bike and get started. Congratulations!! :) Take things one step at a time, and I know we will hear lots of successes from you in the coming months!
~Sherry.

[Tuckervill]

I love riding a bike. I didn't even think about the fact that I would lose weight, I just loved riding. The freedom of it. Freedom is the biggest part of it for me. I cannot bear the thought of ever giving up the freedom to move myself under my own power like I do on my bike. Whatever bike I have.

That's the attitude I started with about 2 years ago, when I bought the Buicks off of some guy. I'd had quite a few bikes in my adult years, and always craved the riding like I did when I was a teenager. (I taught myself to ride a bike for my mother's birthday present when I was 4 years old.) But those years between 13 and 42 were taken up with raising children and stuff like that.

Only now am I feeling free again. And part of that is my youngest son is just so cool to hang with, and athletic, and he likes me and we go places and do things together that I didn't have time or money to do with my older sons.

Today I did 11 miles on my mountain bike (on the road :D ). I wound around all the side streets in my town and a little on the highway, and then I caught up with the trail around the baseball fields and I suddenly had a flashback. I was going over a tiny little hill...tiny hill only about 30 feet long, and I remembered actually *panting* to the top of this tiny hill when I first rode the trail 2 years ago.

Wow. I rode a lot in those two years, until last August, when I got bifocals. I'd never worn glasses before in my life. I got too scared to ride. I could barely walk down stairs without getting dizzy. By the time I adjusted, it was winter, and then I had gotten out of the habit of riding. But during those 2 years while I rode, I rarely went over 2 1/2 miles. To the ballpark, around the loop, and back.

Fast Forward to March. I crave new bike. Take a few spins on the trusty Buick. Really crave new bike. Hubby gets his bonus. Buy new bike, while suffering from the cold-from-hell-that-never ends. Take it to the woods the next day. Ride one mile before the lungs give out. Put bike away until the cold finally does end. Ride every day for one week, first the 2-1/2 miles, then three, then 4. Then 25K charity ride. A few rides in between. Today I did 11 miles, just because I needed that happy feeling of being on the bike--a real stress reliever.

I went from nothing to 11 miles easy in less than 4 weeks. I'm just incredulous writing it all out like that!

And I am FAT. I weigh 198, but no for long.

Karen

[MomOnBike]

Yes, silly, a fat lady can ride. And sing at the same time if she feels like it.

Look, I'm heavier than you are (not gonna say by how much :rolleyes: ) and last year I went on a week-long solo bike trip across the midwest. I ride daily. Others on this forum (not all by any means) are heavy too, and do whatever they %*$*#!! want to on a bike. We just tend to do it more slowly.

AND THAT'S OK.

So welcome to the club. You'll find all the moral support you'll ever need right here.

(Did you introduce yourself on the Getting To Know You Thread yet? I haven't gotten there yet.)

[Ellen 06]

I bought my Townie 7 speed last saturday. I had ridden at all for the last three years, and not much before that because of wrist pain. My Townie freed me from the wrist pain. I've put about 36 miles on in the last week. There's a couple hills on my commute I craawl up in the lowest gear and a couple I walk, but it's already getting easier.

I'm way out of shape and weigh twice what I ought to, but I am loving riding my bike. Can't wait for days that I get to ride to work, and I'm looking forward to a longer ride with a friend this weekend.

Keep at it, it will get easier.

Ellen

[Geonz]

You rock :-) You're *DOING SOMETHING* about it.

You're also pushing along a bike that's gotta be pretty hard to push along. I ride a single speed cruiser often, and it's a workout... and it's due for a tuneup. Air in the tires is a biggie... but lubing that chain and, yes, greasing the bearings, can make the bike a lot easier to push around.
When my friend got me a "new" wheel for my cruiser, and put it on, in 15 miles, it started *screaming* when I'd apply the brakes. I like attention and all, but the cruelty-to-machines folks were going to come after me, so I went into the bike shop, and put the wheel on the counter and said, "It screams at me... where should I put the lubrication?" He asked me if I had three different tools which I'd never heard of, and then asked if I had fifteen minutes (it was February) and gave me an apron and we went into the back of the shop.
Well, this is going to turn into another "Drafting story" if I'm not careful! At any rate, suddenly I was a much stronger rider and knew a lot more about ball bearings, and they all had a jolly time admiring this wheel with its old-fashioned spoke nipples and brass brake shoes... they figured it was from pre-WWII.
So get out there and keep riding... you'll soon have stories of your own!!

[oldbikah]

Yeah, you go girl! last summer I rode about 1000 miles. About 10 years ago, I too was really out of shape and could ride only about a couple miles without huffing and puffing. Even tho I ski all winter, that isn't much work or very aerobic. I also developed high blood pressure. Now the bp is down, I lost 30 pounds last summer and feel SO much better both physically and emotionally. I ride alone mostly (can't get fat DH to do much) but I love it and have actually acquired 3 bikes (road, mt, cyclocross) and use them all. (I am 63 by the way). My son is proud of me and gives great encouragement. Family may make remarks at the beginning but they WILL be proud later!

[bikerchick68]

yes, yes, yes... YOU CAN!

Look... I'm not fat. I'm not skinny. I AM 165 lbs of muscle. My first ride hurt. Bad. I did 10 miles and was sure the Grim Reaper was staring in the front window as I lay on my couch trying to recover... I didn't move for almost 4 hours.

Fast forward 3 years. I ignored the naysayers... I beat the odds. At 165 lbs and 5'7" I have ridden NINE centuries. I can climb any hill I want. I can ride as far as I want. I feel stronger than many other "skinny" women... because tho I am heavier I am also solid... and many of them are soft.

I will never be soft again. I will never be "skinny" by societies standards... and I don't care. I am damned proud of my achievements. I look forward to you joining me... and you will if YOU believe it.

[CorsairMac]

*looks around* hmmmmm I don't see any fat ladies here. I DO see a lot of women that ride bikes and love every minute of it! OK..so your first ride in how many years your heart was pounding, you were breathing in gasps, and you felt like a bag of wet cement and you rode last time when??......it's not the weight it's the amount of physical fitness and right now yours is a little lower than it used to be! And you were on a SS with coaster brakes!!! You ROCK!!!! My first time back on a bike I was NOT going to ride anything less than 18 speeds coz I was KNEW I wasn't going to be going anywhere fast!!! Welcome to the wonderful world of cycling!!

If you get a chance wander on over to the "getting to know you thread' and tell us a little bit more about yourself while you learn more about us than most of our mothers know!!

Then hop back on that bike and go kick some skinny booty!! ;)

[CR400]

You go girl!!!!

Everyday you ride even for 10 min. is 10 more towards your goal if its loosing weight or riding farther. Trust me you can go out and ride your bike.

I am a bit younger then you but I started out riding my bike at 240 pounds and I still have a ways to go at 178 but I'll make that 145-150 yet.

My first ride on my Cannondale was eight miles and only averaged 11.92mph. A month later I did my first 50 mile ride and every good sized hill I came to I had to walk. One of them I got down into my lowest gear and 10 feet up the hill I couldn't move the cranks. I was to heavy for my legs to get me up the hill. The next big hill I didn't even try to climb, it was huge and looked almost straight up, it was like a 10% grade. The third hill I was able to climb half way then had to get off becaue it was straining the cranks to get up. The fourth I made up it was more of a shallow grade.

Fast forward six months. Get down to 185 and climb the first hill on my 42 chain ring. (the second ring on what they call a triple crankset). A year later I climbed that second hill with no problem. Now I can climb whatever I want if I take my time. I'm still not a fast climber but capable.

So get out there and ride, and when you get down to 200lbs or less then you can see who's laughing at who.

[bikerz]

Hey bamakathey - yay - another member of the "big gal cycling club"!

I'm another one who's lost 50 pounds on the bike - I still have a ways to go, but wow - has it been fun! (and this after 25+ years of battling my weight, hating to exercise, and feeling like I was doomed to "diet - fail - repeat" for the rest of my life).

My first time out I rode barely 5 totally flat miles and thought OH MY GOD this is impossible! But it did get less impossible, and each ride was more fun, and immensely gratifying. Being outside, riding alone or with friends - it's all great! Also, since we are moving more weight along than the skinny riders do, it seems to me we must be building muscle faster. And it's is a wonderful feeling to feel strong instead of just heavy.

I heartily second the recommendation to get padded shorts - sooner the better - TE has some in plus sizes - I started with the Mt Borah baggy shorts with padded underliner. (In fact, that's how I found this forum - searching for plus-size cycling clothes after my second 5 mile ride! Best google search results ever!)

Welcome! Enjoy the ride!

[Duck on Wheels]

I too am trying to lose weight and get in better shape. The weight loss has been slower than I'd hoped, but I'm down about 4kg since Fall and recently I've noticed that my clothes are getting loose. So today I tried the next size smaller. Yep. They fit. A bit snug still, kinda like the size I'm in felt 6 months ago. I'll wait another kilo or two before down-sizing my wardrobe, but if it hadn't been that the cheapest pair of pants and the best colour was in my "old" size, I might have got a smaller pair already today. And ... I no longer feel like I'll pass out at spin class, I did 43 miles into the wind a few weeks back, and I climbed about half of Ben Nevis (got stopped not by my lungs, heart, or legs, but by my fear of heights). So yes, definitely, biking is a good way to get back in shape!

[tulip]

Do get some bike shorts. Wear them under your regular clothes if you want to. Team Estrogen has a section just for larger bike clothes. They're not cheap (even the smaller ones aren't), but it will make your riding more comfortable.

Pretty soon, you will not identify yourself as a Fat Lady. You will start to see yourself as someone who loves to be active, is strong, and controls her own destiny (if even you decide where and how far to ride!)

As for the naysayers (family and others), just remember that you cannot control what other people say or do. But you CAN control your reaction to them--you can choose to be embarassed and stop riding, or you can choose to smile at them and pedal away.

Best of luck and do keep us posted. We're here for you!

[Patti37]

You have no idea how much your encouragement means. My family thought me riding a bike was hilarious. :(

Your family should not be laughing at you they should be encouraging you! I think it is awesome that you want to start riding. It is a great way to lose weight and get fit.

Stay with it!

[makbike]

You most certainly can ride. The nice thing about a bike is it does not care what you look like or how much you weight. Climb abroad and enjoy yourself. Start slow - none of us started out riding 100 miles in a day. Listen to your body for it will tell you without hestitation if you are pushing it too hard or not pushing it enough. Keep a log so you can see the progress your are making (my boyfriend thinks I'm anal because I record data from every ride but it helps me see how I'm progressing). Only listen to those who will offer words of encouragement and turn a deaf ear to those who tell you it can't be done or laugh at you. Have fun, enjoy your bike and take care of yourself.

[latelatebloomer]

Oh, Honey, have you come to the right place! The answer, as you can see, is yes! yes! yes!

I was above your weight range and about 43 when I had major realizations about how my health, self-esteem, and marriage were all being threatened by my obesity and lack of self-confidence. I joined a gym and was so self-conscious that I wore baggy pants and a turtleneck, so all that was visible was my head and hands. My doctor gave me some great advice when I talked to her about making changes - "Don't focus about how you look, focus on how you feel. If you focus only on the changes in your appearance, you'll get frustrated and quit."

2 years later, I decided I deserved a gym with better facilities and there ran into a trainer who's also a master class cyclist. He got me into spin classes for the winter, and that spring, I tried a bike. I struggled to ride 3 miles, and if anyone had heard me struggling for breath, they would have called an ambulance. I am not exaggerating in the slightest.

Now, I may even be under 200 lbs (don't know, don't really care) lift major weight at the gym, use heart-rate goals for someone half my age, and am starting to do "club" rides 0f 25/30 miles, with a goal of riding a century (100 miles in 1 day) by my 47th birthday, 10/10/06.

You are doing the hardest part right now. Come here often for all the encouragement you need. I felt like I was facing so many internal demons when I got that bike out. Some of them still show up from time to time. Just keep at it.

You might enjoy a book called "The Slow Fat Triathlete" by Jayne Williams (pretty sure that's right.) It's about becoming an athlete in the body you have. Even though I am not interested in doing a tri, I learned a lot from her attitude.

Keep in touch. This forum has made all the difference for me! -
Latelatebloomer (who really does need to change her name to Relentless. She's not a late bloomer any more!)

[Tuckervill]

BikerChick, I get what you're saying about being 165 lbs of pure muscle.
Before I went into the Army, I weighed about 130. When I left boot camp, weighed 140. Yet, everyone at home said how skinny they thought I was, (especially in the face, I heard a lot). Through the next 10 years in the Guard I struggled to keep my weight under 137 (the requirement for my age/height), even though I was wearing a size 7-8.

I'm convinced I have large (heavy) muscles by nature. I was definitely ripped after boot camp, but still heavy for 5'4". I've always called my legs speedskater legs, even at my lightest...those large upper thighs and thick calves. Can't tell now because they're covered in fat! However, I'll never be tiny. I'll probably never be a size 8 again, but I'd be happy with a 12, which I can buy off the rack. People still don't believe that I weigh 198, because I'm compact, not roll-y. (But I'm not fooling myself...I'm still fat and need to get it off before menopause.)

I got my first pair of bike shorts yesterday in the mail. The Mystic Elite MTB shorts mentioned earlier. They fit fine in XL, but the Belwether jersey I bought in XL is too small in the boobs and feels too tight for comfort in the arms. I'm disappointed in that because I'm smaller on top than on bottom. Manufacturers should settle on a standard size, I think. But, I'll keep the jersey because it will fit in a couple of months. :)

That would be an interesting thread for us Athenas: what is your weight and your general clothing size? I know a woman or two who are my weight, but wear much larger clothes. I know weight is not the only factor--my baby belly overlap affects my clothing size, and I can wear size Large t-shirts and they fit fine (not Jerseys, though).

Anyway...if anyone wants to answer, I'd like to know so we can see what I expect is a huge diversity of weight to size.

Karen

[bamakathy]

Well you asked, 5'5", 249 lbs, size 20-22W. Biggest complaint? Jelly belly and thighs. Also have hourglass figure, big boobs and big bottom. Any suggestions as to sports bras for plus sized women? Would like to wear a size 12, but would be satisfied with even a 16, as long as I felt good. I'm happily married, he's overweight. He's never said a word about my weight, just loves me anyway, so he's not a factor. But I feel terrible. I want so much to just have more energy and stamina to do my regular stuff. I never weigh at home, only when I'm at the doctor's. I'm happy with me, don't need to be perfect at this stage in life, just healthier.
All of your suggestions are so helpful. I'm so glad I found this message board.
My husband said if this is something I stick with for awhile, he'll buy me a new bike.
Here's a question for you. When I was a kid, there were girls bikes and boys bikes and the boys had the bar at the top. Now all I see in adult bike are the boys style. Are they like unisex now? I have the old cruiser girls bike.

[Eagle-Eye]

Any suggestions as to sports bras for plus sized women?

Not sure if this qualifies for plus size, but I am a 36DD now. I have found the Moving Comfort Maia, and the Hind Nexus both to be really good. You can get the Hind Nexus here on TE. I have found the Moving Comfort all over the place, but I know REI carries them up to a 40DD. (For some reason my local REI doesn't carry my size, but I can always order it online)

There is also the Enell sports bra (available on TE). I have never tried this one, but it looks really good. It's a bit expensive. But, you need to go with what is comfortable. You can always wash it between rides/workouts.



Here's a question for you. When I was a kid, there were girls bikes and boys bikes and the boys had the bar at the top. Now all I see in adult bike are the boys style. Are they like unisex now? I have the old cruiser girls bike.

There are still Men's and Women's bikes out there, but they have definitely changed in appearance. You can still find new Cruiser bikes, and a few hybrids (sort of like a mountain bike, but with skinnier tires to decrease weight and rolling resistance) that still have the classic girl's bike look. However, once you start going for lighter materials, these designs aren't as structurally strong. This is why you see "women's" bikes that have the top bar.

Now, you may ask, why are there men's and women's bikes but they pretty much look the same? This is because men generally have longer torsos and arms than women of the same height. Women's bikes are made so the frame is a bit more compact so we don't end up getting too stretched out on the bike. Some women prefer the men's geometry, other women prefer the women's geometry. Also, women's bikes tend to come in smaller sizes.

Hope this helps (at least doesn't totally confuse you). When you get a new bike - cuz I'm convinced you will stick with this;) - you can have the fun of trying all sorts of bikes to find that perfect one.

For the record...
I am 5'7", 178 pounds, and wear a size 14 - sometimes 12! (depending on fit, manufacturer, etc)

[colby]

I'm convinced I have large (heavy) muscles by nature. I was definitely ripped after boot camp, but still heavy for 5'4". I've always called my legs speedskater legs, even at my lightest...those large upper thighs and thick calves. Can't tell now because they're covered in fat! However, I'll never be tiny. I'll probably never be a size 8 again, but I'd be happy with a 12, which I can buy off the rack. People still don't believe that I weigh 198, because I'm compact, not roll-y. (But I'm not fooling myself...I'm still fat and need to get it off before menopause.)

Hooray, I'm not the only one with this height and body style! I feel so much better. I have been to the doctor's office and they check my weight, then they say "NO WAY"... uh yes way, the scale doesn't lie! Trust me, I check it regularly :p

I refer to myself as the teapot style -- short and stout. I do not have womanly calves. I do not have womanly thighs. I could crush you with them, but that wouldn't be very womanly, now, would it? ;) I know I'm not superfit now, but I'll never ever be that perfect style, and I'll never ever be a size 6 (or likely even a size 8). It's just not in the cards for me (and that's hard to admit, some days, when everything we consume in the media tells us we're wrong).

Speedskater legs is so accurate. Mine might be covered in aforementioned fat also, but they aren't going to be twigs, ever :) My goal is not "be skinny" (not practical), it's "be FIT and HEALTHY" -- I want to look good, but I want to look good for ME, not for some stupid size chart or imaginary hand stamping sizes on my forehead.

On the sports bras -- I am a 36D myself, and I do like the Hind Nexus (which I bought from TE!), but I find it doesn't quite feel 100% right (supportive, but not extreme support?) and I still mostly have the uni-boob, though it's better ;) Also, the zipper base eats into my frame sometimes, especially when running (which is tolerable, but a little irritating). I haven't tried the Enells, but I've heard really good things about them from everyone I've talked to who has had one.

[DirtDiva]

Manufacturers should settle on a standard size, I think.
HA!!! I don't know what I weigh, but I'd guess it's around 57/58kg (for the metric-challenged, that's somewhere in the 125-130lb range). I have clothes in every size from XS to XL, size 8 (4ish US) to size 16 (12ish US). I have bras in three different sizes. I've given up looking at the size label as a measure of whether clothes will fit. :rolleyes:

[CR400]

Ok, I'm closer to 5'5 then 5'4 so I usually go with the 5'5. As far as weight right now I'm 178lbs. I was down to 170 but then started riding outside a lot again and gained weight, go figure. As far as clothes I can wear anywhere between a 12 to 18 depending on how tight I want the clothes. 18 barely stay on 12 fit a little snug, and if I really squeeze a 10 for about 3min. OK I tried to be funny there.

I tend to carry alot of weight in my breasts 40D or 38DD, the 40 feels better though. I swear I carry 10lbs with them, so if I was an A I would weigh 168. My goal healthy weight is 145-150. Even in high school I couldn't wear small clothes. In fact I am in a smaller size now then I was in high school and weigh 20 pounds more. I still have that horible belly fat. grrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!:mad:

As far as the having the guy legs going on I have the same problem. I have the calves that female body builders work hard to get. and my thighs are starting to join them. If I took off all the extra fat I'd still be big.

[allabouteva]

HA!!! I don't know what I weigh, but I'd guess it's around 57/58kg (for the metric-challenged, that's somewhere in the 125-130lb range). I have clothes in every size from XS to XL, size 8 (4ish US) to size 16 (12ish US). I have bras in three different sizes. I've given up looking at the size label as a measure of whether clothes will fit. :rolleyes:


I can so relate!:p

But the reason why for me is that I'm the classic yo-yo dieter. At the end of '04 I was about 67-70kg or about 150lbs. And now I'm about the same as Tlkiwi about 57kg and about 5'3". And it's been like this for about 10 years. This time though, I regularly exercise and really watch what I eat, and have been this weight for about a year.

I think there's too much media attention on being skinny. I think Hollywood really messes with our heads with these actors who are way too skinny. It's not just the Paris Hiltons, but also mature women like on desperate housewives like Terri Hatcher, well she's terribly thin.

On the other hand, the lifestyle of people who live in 'developed' countries include eating way too much processed food and living too leisurely. We drive way too much.

I do think you can be big and healthy at the same time. And you're born with a certain shape and size. and if you eat well and moderately, exercise, are healthy, have a good community and have a supportative family, then I think life's good and you can't ask for more than that (except maybe for a Specialized Ruby Pro)!

(stepping off my soapbox) well that's my 2c worth!

e

[uforgot]

Wow, once again I need to say how supportive everyone on this forum is. I belong to the bicycling.com forum, and went over there for a few minutes today. (It's been ages since I lurked over there, ever since I found you guys!) I didn't realize how much testosterone is flowing over there. Everyone seems to be in perfect shape and aren't tolerant of anyone who isn't! I remember posting a couple of questions and was totally bashed. Now I've found my niche with TE, and can ask any question I want and I get a myriad of answers! OMG, I can't even imagine this topic over there. Thanks!

Now for the hard part. 5'4" 165 lbs. I managed to put on 20# in the last year, not sure how, but I refuse to buy larger clothes, so I'm in impossibly tight 12s. My 10s are just glaring at me when I open the closet. I'm in good shape, I dance, teach dance and ride my bike, but that's the story of my life. I'm in better shape than my friends, but I'm also heavier. I have this one teeny tiny friend I work with, she couldn't even get through 10 minutes of a FIRM workout. Where is the justice? Oh, and she drinks regular soda and eats candy. sigh. I don't ever remember drinking a regular soda...

Well, I'm just glad to have found this forum, as bike riding is somewhat foreign in my small town. It's great to kick around stuff with others going through the same thing!

[uforgot]

Here's a question for you. When I was a kid, there were girls bikes and boys bikes and the boys had the bar at the top. Now all I see in adult bike are the boys style. Are they like unisex now? I have the old cruiser girls bike.

bamakathy, I'm not expert by any means, but you can still get girls and boys bikes. Most manufacturers have gone to women's specific design as oppose to the same geometry with the "step through" frame. My hybrid is a Trek WSD, and I love the fit, but its not for everyone and it has the bar. When I wanted an entry level mountain bike, I liked the Gary Fisher Advance, because it had a stepthrough frame. The guy, (who I think is great, by the way), at the lbs told me that step-through frames weren't considered cool any more, but every bike I tried had too big of a standover height for my size. 5'4". You know, I read about a guy who ran over a rattlesnake, and I decided that I wanted a bike I could exit QUICK! I love my step-through frame, even though it's bright orange, and I'll probably upgrade the fork someday, but I don't really care about the cool factor. The bike fits me like a glove, and I love it. I guess what I'm saying is, enjoy yourself. If you are like the rest of us, you will be hooked in not time. If you are out exercising and enjoying yourself, how could you be doing something wrong? And if you are riding a bike from way back when, why it's cool because its "retro". Good luck turning 50, I'm 51 and plan to be in the best shape of my life by the end of summer. We can encourage each other, can't we?

[KnottedYet]

I've seen some very sexy-looking mixte frames. They look a lot more stable than the "standard" girl frame, the physics and geometry just look better. Like mixtes were designed to be stepthrough rather than what looks like a modified boys bike with a droopy top tube.

[RoadRaven]

Hey there bamacathy!
Way to go, BC, you rock (at the risk of repeating others!!!)

This is the way to do it, slowly, surely and with excellent motivation. Great to hear your goal is fitness, not image... because fitness you can measure and image is always subjective.

Do keep a journal/log of your rides, I love looking back and seeing how my rides have got longer, or how I can do a familiar course in less time... very very heartening...

And yes... get yourself lycra bike shorts... more comfort as you rides become longer, and to reduce chafing on your thighs/bike seat.

I have been cycling for 18 months now, trying to regain fitness and also change the shape having five children made me into. I have only dropped a few kgs, but I have dropped two dress sizes... As you get fitter, you will lose fat but you will also build muscle. Muscle weighs more than fat, so please don't become disillusioned if the scales tell you nothing has changed. It is great that you have no scales in your house - keep it that way. I only weigh myself once every 1-2 months at the most - I have no scales in the house either.

Some great advice and quotes from the women here... good on you for making a great decision, and def tell hubby it is time for a nice hybrid bike with gears and a good frame.

I, along with the other women here, look forward to hearing about your rides. And... just in case you didn't hear it from me or anyone else :p

!!!!YOU ROCK!!!!

[Tuckervill]

When I was looking for my new bike, I was well-educated by Trek's website about women's specific design. Here's a link.

http://www2.trekbikes.com/us/en/WSD/WSD_Difference.php

Also, for journaling your rides, there's bikejournal.com.

And for those of you drinking diet drinks...after more than 20 years, I gave them up about 2 years ago. I substituted hot tea with sugar (20 calories) in the morning, and unsweetened ice tea with meals (or water). I'm not a coffee drinker.

I had begun to wonder about all those chemicals and so I just stopped. Then when I tried them again, I noticed I got way hungrier than I had been the day before or whatever. This happened over and over, in about the once every 2 weeks that I would get a diet coke with my fast food. I began to suspect the diet drinks bringing on the hunger (I've only gotten fatter since I started drinking them, after all). And then I saw it in black and white in the local newspaper's ask the doctor column....that there is evidence that diet drinks increase appetite. (I tried to find the column to no avail.)

So, I'm staying off of them, except when I'm PMSing (like today). It's anecdotal at best, but it's MY anecdote, so that's good eough for me. :)

Karen

[allabouteva]

My level of diet soda drinking has completely dropped off since we got one of those spring water coolers at home. It's made a huge difference to our drinking patterns, and in fact we pretty much drink water now. Its so convenient! I find that the number of soft drinks I buy at the supermarket has also dropped off. I heard that the phosporic acid? in Coke is what's very bad for you. (Don't really know what it does or what it is)

[Polly]

Bamakathy - of course she can, and she can feel proud of herself too.
I ride with a friend of mine, and the pair of us are useless at the hills - we just don't seem to have the mental attitude to keep going! (I think its called being lazy! :p ) But as we push 25lbs of bike up those hills, we still feel proud - we might not be super fit and brave, but we are out there in the country side taking exercise- and the ride down is lovely! :)
It's a pity we're not on the same continent or you'd be welcome to join us as we pootle around the bridle ways
Good luck - and let us know how you get on - we think its a great idea!

[Melody]

bamakathy, you can absolutely ride. Don't worry about how much or how little you can ride at the beginning since quite a bit of that is your body beginning to get used to the riding. What matters is you're getting out there to ride!

I am no lithe skinny thing. ;) I have a big frame (look at the pictures that jobob posted from the Alameda Creek Trail (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=6348&page=2) thread. I'm the tall one in the back), I'm 5' 10.5" and 225 pounds. Not small at all :p

What I've found that has realy helped is I commute via the bicycle now daily. Instead of exercising at the end of my day, which then keeps me from sleeping due to endorphins running amok, I get my exercise in the morning and evening. Plus it keeps me from having the excuse "I'm too tired to ride" ;)

bamakathy, I know you can ride and you should be proud to be riding. Don't let your family get you down. :)

Mel

[nancielle]

Others on this forum (not all by any means) are heavy too, and do whatever they %*$*#!! want to on a bike.

Don't hold back, MomOnBike, tell us how you really feel.:rolleyes: :D



I loved the feeling of the wind in my face.

Bamakathy, ride because you love the feeling of the wind in your face, ride because you like the feeling of accomplishment in getting healthier, ride because you want to. :D


My family thought me riding a bike was hilarious.

That's unfortunate and sad. They should be supporting your efforts. Maybe your improving health will inspire them to get their butts on a bike with you.

[DirtDiva]

And now I'm about the same as Tlkiwi about 57kg and about 5'3".
Hey! We're the same height too!

[allabouteva]

Hey! We're the same height too!

And we're practically neighbours (on this side of the globe)!!!:D

[HipGnosis6]

I'm loving this thread, so supportive and encouraging!

Of course fat ladies can ride. A lot of us have given our statistics, I'll chime in. I weigh 245 lbs and stand 6' tall, and I am a lousy rider - but I do it anyways, because it's the first time exercise has been fun, ever. And I used to excercise a lot - I trained to box for two years. In that time, I ran 6-8 miles a day and spent an additional 2-3 hours a day in the gym, and every minute of it was torture. My lowest weight was 180.

I bought a bike with the intent of commuting to and from work, a 7 mile round trip. I got pretty good at it, even though coming home was mostly uphill. And then I went back to school, and my commute went from 7 miles round trip to nearly 60, and I don't get home until very late. I leave the bike at home for that, but I still try to ride a bit every weekend. It's a joy to do - and I've enjoyed it so much that I think my silly boyfriend might even join me!

[stella]

Wow, once again I need to say how supportive everyone on this forum is. I belong to the bicycling.com forum, and went over there for a few minutes today. (It's been ages since I lurked over there, ever since I found you guys!) I didn't realize how much testosterone is flowing over there. Everyone seems to be in perfect shape and aren't tolerant of anyone who isn't! I remember posting a couple of questions and was totally bashed. Now I've found my niche with TE, and can ask any question I want and I get a myriad of answers! OMG, I can't even imagine this topic over there. Thanks!

Now for the hard part. 5'4" 165 lbs. I managed to put on 20# in the last year, not sure how, but I refuse to buy larger clothes, so I'm in impossibly tight 12s. My 10s are just glaring at me when I open the closet. I'm in good shape, I dance, teach dance and ride my bike, but that's the story of my life. I'm in better shape than my friends, but I'm also heavier. I have this one teeny tiny friend I work with, she couldn't even get through 10 minutes of a FIRM workout. Where is the justice? Oh, and she drinks regular soda and eats candy. sigh. I don't ever remember drinking a regular soda...

Well, I'm just glad to have found this forum, as bike riding is somewhat foreign in my small town. It's great to kick around stuff with others going through the same thing!

hey, we are built about the same! I am 5'3 and 155lbs! I put on 20lbs in the past 2 years of school and am now trying to just get in shape. If I lose the weight, bonus! I just want energy again.

I second your impressions about bikeforum.com. There is a lot of postering going on over there. the women's forum in there is good, but--overall...I like how this forum is supportive across the board.

I also wanted to let the woman know who started this thread: keep it up! cycling is fun and we are all shapes and sizes! I am so glad to hear that you want to do something healthy for yourself! You are an inspiration to me!

[bentforlife]

You are starting down the best road to better health and a longer life.

As someone who is an insulin dependent diabetic and a registered nurse, I applaud you!! I lost about 90 pounds several years back but still need to drop about 30 pounds. I've recently had knee surgery and have the bike on a trainer but hope to get it on the road soon. My orthopedist, who is also a good friend, has restricted me to 3 miles walking, 3 days a week. This is due to the placement of the meniscus damage. He and my daughters and husband have been my biggest encouragers to get on the bike and ride. I ride a Rans Stratus recumbent. At 5'7" and 176lbs, I get some funny stares on the road. Before the surgery, I was riding and passed this one guy on an upright that was all decked out in team jerseys, expensive bike, etc. About 5 minutes later he's passing me, huffing and puffing, determined not to let this fat old woman pass him again. I think my laughter shamed him into pushing too hard. Another 10 minutes and he's by the side of the road, still huffing and puffing, as I wave and go my merry way. ;) It really felt good.

Keep on biking. You are doing a great thing for yourself and your family will eventually see it.

Donna :)

[kiwi in oz]

Okay, I have a question then... I am about 90kg (about 195 pounds I believe?). I am new to this and have been riding a mountain bike for about 3 months. I've dropped a dress size and am riding about 120km (74 miles - go the conversion website I found!!) a week and loving it. A friend and I have set ourselves a goal of riding a 180km race togather in November - 1/2 each. She has just bought herself a road bike and is off racing around her town, whereas I am petrified of going into a bike shop and asking for a road bike. I promised her I would do it this morning - but here I am on my computer - just too scared in case they laugh at me or tell me to lose more weight first etc.

So, are heavier people riding road bikes? Can I? Every shop here seems to be staffed by skinny men - and I can't believe I've let it scare me this much! So I am counting on you guys to sort me out here before I put myself through the trauma of the lbs - and be honest!

Thanks wonderful women,

x

[Duck on Wheels]

So, are heavier people riding road bikes? Can I? Every shop here seems to be staffed by skinny men - and I can't believe I've let it scare me this much! So I am counting on you guys to sort me out here before I put myself through the trauma of the lbs - and be honest!x

I weigh 87k and my sister was shocked to see that I did NOT get a road bike for my year here! My sister, some ks less but also 8" shorter, not only has a road bike, she has a custom built beeeauty of a bike! I think there are pictures of her and a whole bunch of other TE gals, in many shapes and sizes, posted in the California section of the forum. Just look for ride reports with pictures. For instance here: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=6348&page=2
and on the next page of that thread.
These gals, skinny and round alike, all ride road bikes ... AND get respect from their local bike shops! If you see anybody smirking, then walk out'a there and find a bike shop prepared to take you seriously. My guess is that you're not going to see any smirks in the first place. Although the quality of service varies from shop to shop (some just don't seem to be knowledgeable about fitting a bike), I have always been treated with respect and taken seriously as a biker.

[latelatebloomer]

Dear Kiwi in Oz,

Yesyesyesyesyes!

signed, BWOARB*

*another big woman on a road bike

[kiwi in oz]

Yes! I freakin' did it!

Just after I finished the earlier post, my partner called from his work and asked if I had been to the bike shop yet. He pushed me to go right there and then - so I did. I walked in all flustered and perspiring, and stuttered my way to explaining that I wanted a road bike. And the guy serving me said ''cool''. No drama, nothing. So, a couple of hours later I have returned home with my first ever road bike - a pale lavendar Sarah Ulmer bike, and I can't wait to get my new shoes on and start riding. I am soo, soo excited - and I think even writing down my fears and panic in this forum helped so much.

I ended up leaving the bike shop laughing - apparently no staff member had ever had anyone in a state of panic like me before, and they all ended up getting involved in my purchase in one way or another. Yay!

happy cycling!

Anna

[Duck on Wheels]

YAYYYY! Way to go Kiwi! And way to go bike shop! Now we're all waiting for ride reports and bike pictures. ;)

[bikerz]

Hey Anna - that's excellent! I can totally relate to your panic - that's exactly how I felt when I went to get my bike. And the big deal was all in my head!

Happy trails! (Oh, and 120 km/week - wow, that's a lot of cycling on a mountain bike - just wait ' til you get some time on those new skinny tires of yours!)

[DirtDiva]

I'm guessing it's this one (http://www.sarahulmerbrand.co.nz/sub_bike_two.asp?ID=62). Enjoy the new wheels. :)

[kiwi in oz]

I'm guessing it's this one (http://www.sarahulmerbrand.co.nz/sub_bike_two.asp?ID=62). Enjoy the new wheels. :)

:-) Yep, that's the one. Have been for two baby rides so far today - no pedal dramas, so I'm happy. Now I have to start preparing for Taupo. Yay home :-)

[donnambr]

Well, I think this is as good a place as any to introduce myself. Being 5' 8" and I think about 195 lbs, I can relate to a lot of these stories. I've just returned to cycling after about a 7 year hiatus. I can't quite figure out why I stopped. I moved to Oregon from the flat Midwest and I remember hating the hills. I hated riding in urban traffic. I hated having to take extra care of a derailler. I began to avoid my bike. So then last year I had this health problem that forced me to have to take high doses of prednisone for 4 months and I gained 40 lbs and developed lots of icky corticosteriod side effects. I think it finally got out of my system completely because that's when I started losing weight. I lost enough to be able to ride an aluminum frame and so I bought a Breezer 8 speed a month ago.

How is riding now? The hub gear makes me willing to deal with the frequent stops & starts of my urban commute and there is very little maintenance to be done for it. I'm taking hills one yard at a time. Sometimes I have to get off the bike and walk it. That's ok. While I am very knowledgable of the rules of the road and follow them, I manage to annoy most of the inner-Eastside Portland bike hipsters because I'm slow and that just ruins their lives. Tough. They annoy me when the pass me on the right without warning, never think to signal turns, and don't even slow down for a stop sign or red light.

Every day my 3.5 mi commute to work becomes easier and takes less time. My muscles seem to remember cycling and are shaping up fairly quickly, considering 7 years of neglect. I've lost 5 lbs in the last month I've been riding. I have tons of energy. Now if only the rain holds off for the Pretty Dress Ride tomorrow, I'll be truly content.

[mmelindas]

Hi Bamabike girl! I am just like you only heavier (300 lbs or a little lighter) and a real beginner in biking! See my blog:

http://losing-half-of-myself.blogspot.com/

Yes you can do it and don't let anybody stop you from biking, no matter how much they try. It will save your life. I am on my journey, temporarily sidelined but I am going to keep on going.

YOU GO GIRL, keep on riding!! :D

[Trekhawk]

:-) Yep, that's the one. Have been for two baby rides so far today - no pedal dramas, so I'm happy. Now I have to start preparing for Taupo. Yay home :-)

Beautiful bike. Congratulations and happy riding.:)

[kiwi in oz]

Hi bamakathy,

Sorry I hijacked your thread for a while there. I have been lurking here for a while and was so, so glad that someone started that thread. On the topic of families - I spoke to my parents in NZ after I bought my bike on the weekend - my mum was stoked for me - and dad, well, he doubted I would be fit enough to do 80km in November. No worries - I'll show ém ;) And I am tempted to get one of those Jelly Belly cycle jerseys to wear while I'm at it!

Good luck!

Anna

[Geonz]

Found another inspirational Big Dudettes link (and it bumps up the thread):

http://www.bfpd.com/pages/FatGrannyonaPurpleSchwinn
Just a snippet:

"A man I passed the other day summarized it in a way I never could have... As I huffed and puffed up a hill on the tandem... my four-year-old in the trailer being pulled behind and my 9-year-old on the seat behind me barely pedaling... my face beet red and my hair drenched with sweat, I noticed a man who had been washing his SUV stopped to stare at us. I felt I needed to explain and so I shouted, "I'm too fat for this!" To which he responded, in the most gentle, reassuring voice, "You're doing just fine, just look at those smiles behind you.""

... first time I read it, I thought it said, "You're doing just fine, just look at those miles behind you..." and that would work too!

[profàvélo]

Congratulations and keep up the good work to all of you fabulous women out there who are trying to do something for yourselves and your health by riding a bike. Don't let anyone tell you that you are "too" anything to ride a bike.

I think cycling is an especially good choice because you can see improvement so quickly! Do keep a journal--put anything in it you like, but here are some suggestions:
date, time, weather, distance, average speeed (eventually get yourself a computer), who you rode with, how you felt (physically and mentally), what you ate before & during...
It's fun to go back and see evidence of your improvement, and it's helpful to see what works and what doesn't (like eating, for example).

Keep pedaling...:D

[KnottedYet]

I just started doing www.bikejournal.com It's a hoot! If you hit the TE link on BJ, you can see the stats for a lot of the folks on this board.

You can record all the stuff Prof mentioned!

[N2O2TRI]

I can certainly relate to much of what you have all graciously shared. I discovered these threads today and just joined. It's great to know that others share in our experiences. Regarding purchasing a new bike - make sure you feel comfortable with the salesperson you end up with and take a bike savvy friend if necessary. I did not feel taken seriously when I went into a bike shop and it took awhile to find a salesperson and shop that gave me the attention we all deserved. Ultimately I ended up with a Trek Lamond and have been happily riding it for a year now. Regarding clothes: has anyone discovered plus size biking rain gear. I'm preparing for a century ride in the Canadian Rockies and am not adequately prepared for the rain. Thanks!

[free2b7429]

An emphatic "YES" - you can ride! I rode a lot when I was younger but then got waaay out of shape. I started riding again for this year in March. I managed to go about 2 miles and I thought I was going to have to go to the hospital with an asthma attack. It took me almost 20 minutes to recover! Two months later, in May, I did a 25+ mile ride and actually dropped some thinner, more in-shape looking people! For the record, I'm 5'2" and currently 252 pounds. So, again, yes it can be done. Just keep it up and don't listen to the nay-sayers.

[Gentian]

Just hearing how many of you have done this gives me hope. I think of bike riders as tall, thin people in little stretchy suits. But maybe that's what I'll be after doing this for awhile!

Only if you're already tall. ;)

And, to echo what everyone else has said here, yes, you definitely can ride! And leave plenty of others in the dust. :)

[Diggles]

"You're doing just fine, just look at those smiles behind you."

People can really surprise you sometimes. That made me well up! Anytime I see a mommy out there running, biking, whatever...with a kid or 2 in tow, it makes me so proud. I just want to yell out at them "WAY TO GO MAMA!"

Great quote Geonz...thanks for sharing!

[jsgeneroso]

You Go Girl!!!!!!!!

[plantluvver]

Welcome!

I joined this forum only a week or two ago. I am 47 and weigh 260. There are other women here too who are in similar circumstances. And some have reported incredible improvement in their well-being.

I know it is difficult when your family laughs at you. Here you are trying to do something positive. What do they think, you'll look better if keep doing what you have that led to your current weight?

Have you had the bike adjusted? I know that my thighs burn if I ride with my seat set too low. I am not very experienced and I think you can probably get better advice from others. Also, you are using my muscles in an unfamiliar way, so your body needs to adjust.

I hope you enjoy it here as much as I do!

Mary

[WrensMom]

I just found these forums today, and this is my first post here. This thread caught my eye, since I am a fat lady myself, and trying to get back into cycling after about a 7 year hiatus. This thread has been so encouraging--it is really heartwarming to see that there are so many supportive women cyclists out there. Also, to those of you who described yourselves as having a "speedskater build", I can't tell you how awesome that is to hear! I have finally found my people:D ! I have always described myself the same way, and no one seems to "get it" when I say that. Hey, these big thighs are NOT all fat--I have smoked skinny women up hills in my day! (just need to get back into it, that's all:rolleyes: )

Linda

[Geonz]

Welcome back "into it" :) :)
You can tentatively teeter or peremptorily plunge. Just get pedalin'!

[Duck on Wheels]

... Also, to those of you who described yourselves as having a "speedskater build", I can't tell you how awesome that is to hear! I have finally found my people:D ! I have always described myself the same way, and no one seems to "get it" when I say that. Hey, these big thighs are NOT all fat--I have smoked skinny women up hills in my day! (just need to get back into it, that's all:rolleyes: )

Linda

Oooh! Speedskater build! I wish! My butt and thighs are not all muscle. But I do know what speedskaters look like. I also know what they look like well after sports retirement. We have a few former world champs in town, one of whom was dad to some kids on the same figure skating team as my daughter. These guys do get a more even muscle distribution when they finish their speedskating careers and go over to just working out in the gym, hiking with the family, etc.

[SonyaSeattle]

I found this board while doing research on what bike to get, after not having ridden a bike in over two decades! I did buy a bike - a Giant Cypress DX - and now, with hubby, am planning to get in better shape through bike rides around our area. We live in a place that has a lot of bike trails, so hopefully all summer long we'll be pedalling our butts here and there!

I'm forty this year, and would like to lose about 15 pounds. I was so happy to see how supportive this board is! I'm looking forward to knowing you all better!

Sonya

[biking4health]

I'm relatively new here and just want to say thanks for all the support in this thread. :D

I'm 5'4 and 230 pounds. I've been afraid to post thinking everyone is tall and thin riding miles and miles each week. Today is the first day I got on my bike (Trek 800) after many years of it sitting in the garage. I rode a little over a mile, but it's one more mile than yesterday and I'll just keep going. It's going to take time to get my body used to riding, but I'll get there and I'll have fun doing it...now I just need the temps to get a big cooler since it's been 99 degrees for the last 4 days.

Carol, near Chicago

[eclectic]

I'm relatively new here and just want to say thanks for all the support in this thread. :D

I'm 5'4 and 230 pounds. I've been afraid to post thinking everyone is tall and thin riding miles and miles each week. Today is the first day I got on my bike (Trek 800) after many years of it sitting in the garage. I rode a little over a mile, but it's one more mile than yesterday and I'll just keep going. It's going to take time to get my body used to riding, but I'll get there and I'll have fun doing it...now I just need the temps to get a big cooler since it's been 99 degrees for the last 4 days.

Carol, near Chicago


I too love this forum because EVERY type of rider imaginable posts here

Congrats on getting back on the bike - careful though it is addictive, you'll find yourself giving up things like TV ! ! ! just so you can go ride your bike :D

Keep us posted on how you are doing :)

[pooks]

Way to go, Carol! That's terrific!

Take it easy and don't worry -- you'll get used to how it feels to ride again, and you'll be staying on the bike longer and longer. There's no rush -- you've got the rest of your life!

I told my husband when we got our bikes in June -- my goal is for us to be in better shape one year from now than we were ten years ago. Because we haven't been in good shape for so long -- it won't take a whole lot of improvement to pass our conditioning from back then!

[Bikingmomof3]

I'm relatively new here and just want to say thanks for all the support in this thread. :D

I'm 5'4 and 230 pounds. I've been afraid to post thinking everyone is tall and thin riding miles and miles each week. Today is the first day I got on my bike (Trek 800) after many years of it sitting in the garage. I rode a little over a mile, but it's one more mile than yesterday and I'll just keep going. It's going to take time to get my body used to riding, but I'll get there and I'll have fun doing it...now I just need the temps to get a big cooler since it's been 99 degrees for the last 4 days.

Carol, near Chicago

Carol,
You and Steve have the same Trek! :D Apparently I do not pay close attention when we talk. :o
I am so proud of you for getting out on your bike. You will do great! Next we will get you clipless. It is so blasted hot, I have not been able to go out until almost sunset, at which time i am covered with bugs. YUCK. As soon as the cool air arrives you will not want to come in from a ride. Next spring or fall (summer is too hot) we need to get together for a bike trip. :)

[Thistle]

Yes fat girls can ride and it's great. I started almost a year ago and i'm 240 lbs and 5'5". It's hard work up the hills, but I love riding my bike. I started slow and small. Riding into the city (12km) was a major major achievement. I was so stoked I could do it. This week I rode to work (25km round trip) three days in a row... a first for me. I'm pretty damned proud of myself. And i'll be riding again tomorrow... so that's 4 times this week :D .

I ride with 3 friends who do it for fun, they dont care how fast we go as long as we have fun. I know it's hard to find people like that, but they are out there! And if they are not around, hell I just go out by myself! I get excited when I overtake people (cos people usually whizz by me) and i've overtaken 3 in a year (and am looking for my fourth :p ). I felt so good one day when I whizzed past a woman (who wasnt overweight) and she said "does it ever get easier?"... so i slowed up and we rode home together while we chatted. It was her third ride and she was feeling down. I felt great knowing I'd made some progress, and we had the best chat and ride home together. So say hi to people when you pass, you just never know... they might want to ride with you!

So, fellow fat lady, please dont take any notice of those who make fun of you. People laugh at me when i rock up in my TE plus size biking clothes (god I love that someone makes plus size bike clothing - impossible to get here in Oz), but I could care less. I love my bike, I love riding my bike, and I figure every km I do on it is a bit more exercise I'm doing to take care of my body. And one day we might even be one of the thin girls!

[esther231]

Wow. Just found this thread today and so grateful I did.

I only started riding again alittle over a week ago after years of not riding. Right now, my longest ride is 4 miles and I was feeling very embarrassed about it. I thought I must be the worse cyclist going. The truth.

I thought maybe I was just too old (54) to start biking again and be able to do any distance. I thought a ton of stuff that I realize isn't true after reading this thread.

So, now, I'm feeling completely okay about my 4 miles (instead of embarrassed). I'm gonna keep riding (even if I am slow and HATE hills) till I get to 5 miles, then 6 and then, maybe, in a bit, I'll be able to go on the longer rides I want. I don't have to be the perfect shape or the perfect age to get there. I just need to keep riding to get there. Might take me longer than some of you took to get there cause I'm starting late. But I can get there.

Got a smile on my face and it's from these posts and this great thread. Much thanks.

[Bikingmomof3]

Welcome Ester and congrats on your riding for 4 miles!! You should feel proud, you earned it. The first time I got on a bike was just over 3 weeks ago. I am brand spanking new to the biking world. We all go different distances and speeds, but in the end, we are all biking. :)

[Geonz]

Note: every month or so... BUMP THIS ONE UP...

And if you rode a little and got away from it... so just get back on! Nobody's giving you a grade...

... and it should be cooler now. I can see that stufrf on the radar to the west of us... any hour now (guess I better go do that online course before the lightning gets here...leaving NOW...)

[Summer23]

I just stumbled onto this post - it's a small thing, but it's very encouraging. :)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Heck, a couple months ago I was damned proud of my ONE mile riding!! :)
And remember, it's better to not be "perfect" because then you just make everyone else look bad! :D
Another thing to consider is that if you are out of shape and only riding tiny distances, seeing you biking can be a huge inspiration to other women who are out of shape as well- they will see you pedalling along and hopefully realize biking is something they actually CAN do. Be an inspiration to others!!!

[Bad JuJu]

I love this image from Lowell Herrero. It captures the audaciousness and unabashed joy that a woman--of any size--can feel on her bike.
See it better here: Mary's New Bike (http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/PD--10261932/SP--A/IGID--823812/Marys_New_Bike.htm?sOrig=CRT&sOrigId=7077&ui=8F5AFCEC5E57460D958B8FC93B5EC5C5)

[betagirl]

Of course you can. I have an overweight male friend who I got started on cycling. He just does what he can, though I do push him a little when we ride together :D If you can find a riding buddy that'll help you with motivation, which we all can suffer from a lack of!

[lauraelmore1033]

I love this image from Lowell Herrero. It captures the audaciousness and unabashed joy that a woman--of any size--can feel on her bike.
See it better here: Mary's New Bike (http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/PD--10261932/SP--A/IGID--823812/Marys_New_Bike.htm?sOrig=CRT&sOrigId=7077&ui=8F5AFCEC5E57460D958B8FC93B5EC5C5)

Heeey, where'd you find that picture of me on my bike!? The likeness is spooky!:D

[Susan Otcenas]

I love this image from Lowell Herrero. It captures the audaciousness and unabashed joy that a woman--of any size--can feel on her bike.
See it better here: Mary's New Bike (http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/PD--10261932/SP--A/IGID--823812/Marys_New_Bike.htm?sOrig=CRT&sOrigId=7077&ui=8F5AFCEC5E57460D958B8FC93B5EC5C5)

Bad Juju,

We have this poster on our wall here at TE! I think it's inspirational. EVERY woman looks beautiful on a bike. :)

Susan

[Bad JuJu]

:D You guys crack me up! :D

[ShubieGA]

I am a newbie here, and love the posts! I am 5'7''. creeping up on 50, and trying to stay under 250. I started riding again recently and am up to 23 miles this week. I figure if someone doesn't like the view, go around me! Keep up the great work! :cool:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Good for YOU, Shubie!! :)

[Bikingmomof3]

An excellent attitude. Happy Riding. :)

[pooks]

I am a newbie here, and love the posts! I am 5'7''. creeping up on 50, and trying to stay under 250. I started riding again recently and am up to 23 miles this week. I figure if someone doesn't like the view, go around me! Keep up the great work! :cool:

Sounds like you're doing the right thing to keep it down, and take it further down! Way to go!

[Meaux]

I'm new to the forum and kind of new to cycling. I'm 27 and desperately trying to stay in shape and shed some pounds. I just got a Giant OCR3 and am loving it. My husband and I are riding in the Paws and Puddles ride in Galveston, TX tomorrow. Any newbie tips?

[Bad JuJu]

Hi, Meaux--Re: Newbie tips--just read these forums--they're loaded with tips. Also, check out the articles on the TE site--lots of info there. Hope you're having fun on your ride!

My neighbor's been checking out the Giant OCR line, and she's on the verge of getting one herself. Rockin' bikes!

[Meaux]

I LOVE my Giant. It's a really great bike. Our first "big ride" today went well. I'm feeling inspired. Thanks for the help. It's great to find a forum with people like me.

[latelatebloomer]

Meaux, I have an OCR3, too. We should figure out something really cool for OCR to stand for! Have fun with your new friend, and ride safe.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Meaux, I have an OCR3, too. We should figure out something really cool for OCR to stand for!

How about "Obsessive-Compulsive Riding"? ;) :D

[emily_in_nc]

How about "Obsessive-Compulsive Riding"? ;) :D

PERFECT!!!! :D

~Emily

[latelatebloomer]

I like it! The best I could come up with so far was "Only Courageous Riding!"

[kellichou]

Thanks for such a great thread, ladies! I am 27, trying to stay ahead of the grim possibility of pre-diabetes, and started riding seriously again about 2 weeks ago, after a 3 year hiatus. This thread has been such a great boost!

Sometimes I, too, get down on myself when the svelte athletes on their road bikes whiz around me without so much as an "on your left!," but it's good to remember to do what we can. Like other posters have said, we don't start out riding centuries. We need to work up to it!

I ride 10 miles each way to work, and on days when the ride is hard, I just remember my little mantra: "if you need to, stay in a low gear and do what you can. You don't have to rush."

Thanks again, ladies! I <3 this board!

[Kitsune06]

*nod* There's a sort of zen to riding, commuting, and antiinternal combustion mobility. It's the "I'll plan ahead so I have time if I need it, but no rush." or if you're out for just a spin "I'll get there when I get there. In the mean time, if I really need to, I can stop and rest, but... sitting and coasting is almost like resting..."

I wish more people understood it.