too fat to bicycle? 300 lbs?!

As a teenager I used to take all day bike rides and I loved to bike everywhere. I got older and more sedentary. In my late 20s I was Dx with Fibro myalgia. Now I am 36 and almost 300 lbs. I go to exercise class at the gym regularly 3-4x a week and I eat healthy, but food just sticks to me. I think I could get more fit if I could get back to bicycling.

I am 5'10" and very long-waisted, and every bike I try seems to have me leaning painfully far forward/down. I end up with severe wrist pain very quickly. I asked at several bike shops but they don't seem to know what to suggest. I asked if they can put taller handlebars on a bike to accommodate my tall torso, and they didn't seem to know.

I still have the bike I bought in college, a Nishiki, which was supposedly sized to fit my height but it also causes wrist/hand pain. I even tried wrist wraps to give support to no avail.

My eventual goal is to get comfortable riding to do the 4 mile commute to and from the college each day (all paved roads, gentle hills).

Help! Is there any hope for me?

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

You need to get the weight off your hands. There is no reason in the world why you'd have to suffer so much after 4 miles.

Maybe your bike is simply too large, but maybe there is hope:

Maybe an upright-position handlebar like this

http://www.ride-downhill.de/workshop...n/trekking.jpg

Wiill keep you from leaning on your wrists?.

EDIT: I was being dumb when I wrote this. Look how a bar like this would allow you to grip much closer (see where it's mounted to the stem?). You can even tilt it inward/up to get even more upright.
Then again Clock's version would be the budget method to get a similar result.

As always, Photos of you on your bike would help judging the situation.

Hi Calico

Good on you, wanting to get out and ride.

Now what I know about bikes could go on a postage stamp, a small one! :rolleyes:

When I first desperately wanted to ride a bike almost 9 years ago, I had been off work for 1 year with back problems. When I tried somebody's bike, it was no good the bars where too low and caused me problems. BTW I only ride a mountain bike.

Anyway, my son suggested a thingy for raising the stem??? See, I am not technical, have a look

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3634/...0ba4dcba4f.jpg

It so helped, my back was then in a far better position. It was not very expensive but I am sure it just might be what might help you. Also, when I was younger, when only road bikes where around, a lot of guys use to have their handle bars upside down, maybe that would help.

Anyway, keep trying to find a way, am sure you will get something sorted.

Oh yes, something else I had added was a suspension seat post, my bike is a hard frame (I think that's the term) :confused: Going over bumps and stuff it helps a lot.


Clock............the untechnical one!

First I want to say good for you. It's wonderful that you want to start biking again. You didn't say what kind of bike you were shopping for? A road bike, hybrid or mountain bike? The geometry of a bike makes a big difference in how you sit on it and how your weight is proportioned. If you are looking at a road bike, maybe you need to look at a hybrid. Hang in there and don't get frustrated and give up.

Calico:

Bully for you!

What kind of bike is the Nishiki? A road or touring frame may have you bent over and stretched out too much for you right now, making you put more weight on your arms. The ladies have suggested a more up right posture to get started back with, and that's a good idea. Raising the bars, or a higher stem may help you here. But bike fit looks to be a key issue right now.

Try to ride at least 4x per week, with a "long" ride of at least an hour and a half as one of those rides. That will get you on a little quicker path to getting your fitness back. And as long as you keep your diet at least steady, the pounds will start coming off.

A bicycle is the only vehicle mankind has created so far that makes you healthier the more you use it!

I'm considerably overweight, too, so I know the wrist/hand/arm pain you're talking about. I also tried changing things with my handlebars, sitting up straighter and steering with just the tips of my fingers (my backside didn't like that one) and everything else I could think of.

I was miserable until a person at work suggested that I get a recumbent. Honestly, I resisted because I really like the bike I was riding (a first anniversary present from DH) and didn't feel another bike of any sort was in the budget.

Long story short, I did get a recumbent and fell in love. No wrist pain. None. I can feel my fingers no matter how far I ride. (YES!!!)

Look into them. There are some really nice bikes being made, and many are made to take us Athenas - and take us many distant places with a smile on our faces.

Good luck no matter what you decide on. And remember, life is too short to ride a bike that doesn't make you smile.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by calico

I am 5'10" and very long-waisted, and every bike I try seems to have me leaning painfully far forward/down. I end up with severe wrist pain very quickly. I asked at several bike shops but they don't seem to know what to suggest. I asked if they can put taller handlebars on a bike to accommodate my tall torso, and they didn't seem to know.

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First off, a hale and hearty welcome to TE! :D

Next it sounds like we need to find you another LBS, one that can find you a proper bike fit. The answer to "can I put taller handlebars on my bike?" should never be "I don't know" :p

Dude, it's a yes or no question :p :rolleyes:

No, but we could give you a taller stem
No, but we could give you a shorter reach stem
No, but lowering the seatpost may achieve the same goal
Yes, but let's see if a 'bent would fit you best.
Yes, we can but ... and so on.

Bet you'll find the answer here. Long live TE :D

Women who are "too fat" or "too old" or "too out of shape" or "too handicapped" or "too scared" or "too busy" or "too whatever" to bicycle and do it anyway are totally my heros. :) Where there's a will there's a way.
Rock ON.

Try looking for local bike clubs in your area. Someone in a club should be able to recommend an LBS that is good at bike fitting.

Good luck!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by calico

In my late 20s I was Dx with Fibro myalgia. Now I am 36 and almost 300 lbs. My eventual goal is to get comfortable riding to do the 4 mile commute to and from the college each day (all paved roads, gentle hills).

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First off I want to welcome you here to the board. It's nice to meet people who have faced considerable setbacks and remain determined to get healthier. :) :)

Now about that bike.....there are adjustable stems available to bring the handlebars up which puts less stress on your wrists. :cool: Clockwork Orange has one on her bike I believe. What's nice about these stems is as you progress in your cycling, you can lower it as your flexibility increases in the cycling season.

If you are interested in a bike, consider a "comfort" bike--one that has a more relaxed geometry. What many bike shop guys don't consider is the larger person needs to sit more upright to create more space for tummy. They don't consider that when one gets down into the drops that the thigh could have contact with the tummy. So look for something that fits you and feels comfortable while using different parts of the handlebars. If you need to find a different handlebar as alpinerabbit suggested, that will give you another option. :cool:

If you are interested in clothing, check TE's plus size specialty clothing. Susan Otcenas is extremely helpful in suggesting what fits us curvy gals. ;) Just give her a ring when you are ready to shop. Also, I can recommend this site.

And please, don't feel like you have to be a greyhound to enjoy cycling. There are people in all shapes and sizes that take to the road to experience the small pleasures that nature provides--sunshine, fresh air, spring flowers, and best of all, a sense of well being. :) Let us know what you find and be sure and post pictures. :)

And check out the latest issue of Bicycle mag. It has several stories of people in just your position who added cycling into their lives and lost 100+ pounds.

I found it pretty inspiring.

BarbaraAlys

I know of one that did that very thing and dropped 10 sizes! :eek:

Calico, you definitely CAN. I started at 300-ish lbs and a very wobbly 3 miles, and thanks to my bike and spin classes, am 200-ish and training to do the Womantours cross-USA ride in 2010. One of my co-workers has fibromyalga and she does multi-day bike trips. :D First order of business is for you to find a sympathetic bike store owner or employee to help you. They're out there. And don't take some "sales-child's" idunno as the final answer. Let them know you are SERIOUS about riding and need to speak with someone with expertise. (the first shop I dealt with was friendly but not truly expert in their advice. The next shop owner I dealt with - not a skinny guy, BTW, I thought that was a good sign;) - was a good listener, loves putting all kinds of people on bikes, and did a great bike fit session even though my bike was second-hand.)
Also, I started with a Giant (brand) hybrid with a very upright position, and she served me nobly for 2 years. I still like to hop on her now and then.
Feel free to PM me with any ? I might be able to help you with as a fellow large rider. I don't have time a lot of time to check the forum, but I want to know how you're making out.

Aunt LateLate, I've missed you. Glad to see you here again. :)

I've also been plus 300 too.
keep on trying something (adjust the handlebars, buy a 'bent)
And remeber, you're on a journey of a thousand miles, and you've taken you first step;)

Boy, am I glad you asked this question... I waited to chime in because I feared I might hi-jack the thread as my question(s) are a bit different, but I'm in a similar situation with weighing in at a little over 20 stone(sounds so much better than 300lbs, but that all depends on if you don't know how much a stone is... regardless, it all adds up to being a bit husky). Didn't see any reason for starting another 300 lb thread, so Calico... I hope you don't mind if I hop on your handlebars for a bit...

Hello friends... my friends call me Woo.

I've been lurking for a bit now, but decided not to post until I had a little more skin on the pole(wait... wrong analogy), errr... skin on the street, before I put in my questions, opting to just read and glean as much as I could, but since the topic came up I decided to pounce.

The long and short of my story is...<short first> "I'm fat"... now that I can say that aloud...what am I going do about it? Well, I want to cycle back to my ... I don't remember my old shape actually... well, I want to go back to whatever it is..

The long is, I got a temp job in Colorado last year... and on the first day I was on the job, there was this really fit looking guy standing next to me eating trail mix and he holds out the bag... and says, 'hey, I'm Jason... want some?' -- I declined seeing how I had my tiny weight problem(but man, did I want some trail mix)... he went on and although I thought it rather strange this fit guy really wanted to have a conversation with me, not so fit girl... we became real buddies with absolutely nothing in common, he was into cycling and road bikes, I was into comfy chair activities -- it was also a plus that the fit guy knew the ropes and he told me that my new job provided transportation -- wow, no one had mentioned it, so I got all excited until I found out the transportation was a bike loaner for the summer, at this point I could hardly make it to the top of a staircase without needing an iron lung(Colorado altitude) -- so what was I gonna do with a bike, I was sure it was designed to finish me off.

So Jason went with me to pick out a bike and gave me some tips on what would work best for me in terms of fit and comfort -- and even rode my really girly light blue comfort bike down the mountain into town, because I was afraid I would kill myself -- and slowly, after struggling around town on that thing, I found moments of loving it(don't worry there were plenty moments of hate too)-- on the hills I felt like I was eight years old again -- and by the time the job ended in August, I had started to shed pounds without changing my diet a bit and exercising had started to not be so much of a chore, it was kinda fun... especially if it wasn't just exercising, I was going somewhere, to work, to lunch, to run errands it was great... Through it all Jason continued to give gentle encouragement for me to get on the bike, proclaiming it was the best transportation on earth and to go on hikes(up things they called 14'ers...)... I declined those(I'm not crazy and didn't look forward to having to be plucked off a mountain by a helicopter) so I did my own thing... which was slow, but worked...

Then...I returned home to my old lifestyle and all that work went away, even though I bought a cheap bike when I returned... if you think department store bikes are bad... try riding a used department store bike(I was constantly fixing the thing and I hadn't even ridden it... thanks Youtube). I still got a couple of decent rides out of it ...before I just stopped and gained the few pounds I had lost back... A few weeks ago, I was reading an article about the Tour of California... and I saw the women's criterium and I was like, that is what I was meant to do in life, I had never seen a criterium, it looked like a ball, but there sure weren'tany fat chics in there-- So I got the bike out again, determined to take the pounds off for good, so I could do what I was meant to do... and on my second ride, my poor dime store bike literally fell apart, with me on it... er, going down a hill... er, really fast. I COULD HAVE DIED... but I didn't. So, I would say shear cheapness and my weight contributed to its demise --

So now I need a new bike, any suggestions? I would like something with commuting in mind that will slowly work me into a road bike in a year to 16 months...oh, I'm also on a budgie(isn't everyone?) I would like to keep it under 400 bucks out the door, but anything less than that... that works, is fine at the moment -- I've gotten conflicting answers on how much my weight is a factor in picking a bike... some say that any bike made by a trusted manufacturer(Trek, Specialized...etc) should be able to support me... some say I have to invest money in bikes like the Kona Hoss, which really isn't the type of bike I want -- the bike shops are intimidating to me, which is why I kind of want to be informed when I go in and then let them guide me the rest of the way...

I'm looking at the Trek FX series(and Trek's in general) -- I know it has more of a sporty geometry and suppose to be a road bike with straight bars and beefier tires(which I apparently need) I was wondering if anyone knew how it would fair with my size... I'm 5'11 -- dare I say, in OK shape for your not so average 287 pounder, not much of a stomach, it all goes to the hips, ya know-- since the bike died, I've been walking a loop I mapped out on google maps and/or taking the 250 steps to the 11th floor of my building(lord, I hate that, someone save me). I've already been through the really really sore stage and really don't care to do it again, so I'm keeping active until I get my bike... I haven't noticed any pain in my wrist, back or joints from being in a more forward position from riding my now deceased mountain bike like Calico has... I have noticed a pain in my rear, which doesn't seem to be unusual, so no worries there...

Tell me... am I making some silly school girl mistake... is my situation hopeless??

I just found out that I will get that temp job in Colorado again this year and really fit guy will be returning too -- maybe this year I can do some easy trails with him if I get going on the bike soon ....

Any suggestions appreciated... and thanks Calico for letting me piggy back on your thread...


Woo

Wow, I am really impressed with the wonderful, supportive, and knowledgeable answers! Thank you all. :)

My Nishiki has more of a mountain-bike type frame and straight-across handlebars. The only change is that I did replace the big nubbly tires with smoother road tires. I wouldn't mind putting some money into upgrading it, if we can find a workable solution. Maybe I will print out a picture of ClockworkOrange's bike and show it to them. I am such a n00b when it comes to this! haha

I am intrigued by recumbents, but I cannot find a single bike shop in my area which stocks them. At one point I was calling bike shops in other counties with no luck. Shops are happy to special order one if I pay a non-refundable deposit, but nobody had one I could try. I wouldn't know how to tell if it fits me, and it's hard for me to risk $1000+ on something that will just make me hurt in a different body part. Any ideas? I'm willing to even drive a few hours (Delaware? Philly? Baltimore?), if I found a good shop with several recumbents in stock.

Can you tell us where you live? We might be able to direct you to a good shop or two.

There's mt airy outside of baltimore: http://www.bike123.com/
and jerset bents http://www.jerseybents.com/
You may can to ask around to see if anyone has one you can test ride before making the leap.
a couple of more sites
I have a Bacchetta (http://www.bacchettabikes.com/dealers/locations.asp) ,and MomOnBike has a Sun (if I remember correctly)
http://www.sunbicycles.com/sun/index.html
another popular brand of 'bents is Rans http://www.ransbikes.com/default.htm
Change the stem would be much cheaper

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zeWoo

Tell me... am I making some silly school girl mistake... is my situation hopeless??
Woo

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Absolutely not - if you want change nothing is ever hopeless. A month or two ago Bicycling magazine did an article about people who had lost a lot of weight cycling. One of them happened to be a fellow racer out here in Seattle. She used to be 272 lbs, at only 5'3". She took off 140 lbs and got fast enough to join an amateur racing team - all at the age of 51! It's not silly at all to look at the women at the ToC crit and think you might some day be out there - it is possible if you really want it - so think big and go for it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eden

Absolutely not - if you want change nothing is ever hopeless. A month or two ago Bicycling magazine did an article about people who had lost a lot of weight cycling. One of them happened to be a fellow racer out here in Seattle. She used to be 272 lbs, at only 5'3". She took off 140 lbs and got fast enough to join an amateur racing team - all at the age of 51! It's not silly at all to look at the women at the ToC crit and think you might some day be out there - it is possible if you really want it - so think big and go for it.

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I think I spotted this article too, it's what really got my juices flowing -- One of the women was from Arkansas, lost over 100lbs, and is now winning crits and it was only 4-5 years ago she was in my position -- I realize to certain extent, stars do have to align for me to get to that level... but I so can do that, I know I can -- I know I can because of how I came around so quickly in Colorado last year, my fitness level shifted so quickly --

I can't wait -- in a year... year a half, instead of being built for comfort -- I'm gonna be built for speed!!!

I just want to add - this is such an inspiring thread! and I hope you both have better luck finding good bike shops that can set you up with affordable bikes that work for you. They certainly exist, but not every 16 yr old backwards-capped bike store help would know.

I think maybe the biggest obstacle to losing a lot of weight is the same as getting much fitter or getting much faster on the bike - putting in the time. The effort is one thing, but you really have to be willing to put in lots and lots of hours over a long period of time, because biking isn't that intensive a workout. The upside is that that's a whole lot more fun than putting in hours at the gym :D Commuting by bike is a great way of sneaking in miles. But that's why you really need a bike you're comfortable on, and some nice places to ride. You'll be plain miserable if it feels like a chore.

Wow Woo, great post................welcome to TE, it has just got to be one of the best, no, THE BEST site!

I so look forward to hearing how both you and Calico progress and with all the techno's on the site, you will get so much advice and help.

Take it easy.

Clock

Calico and Woo - Welcome to TE! Hang in there and don't give up. And whatever you do, make sure it is fun! If you make it too much like work, it makes it easier to give up. So most of all enjoy yourself and your freedom on your bike!

Calico and Woo, welcome to TE

Woo, you have discovered the secret. JUST KEEP GOING.
and if you look for used bikes, you can get more bang for the bucks so to speak. Where are you? (stone??!)

I only started riding last year again, and I feel like I've regained my wings. Please stick with it. As you tone the pain will fade, and you'll find what works best for you. Funny story, (well maybe not), on one of my first rides out I was passed by a car with a bunch of teenagers and one of the girls yelled out,"wheres the seat"? I immediately put the mothers curse on her of course, and almost gave up on riding. I didn't though, because that feeling of freedom was more important than the opinion of some kid who will now go on to have a kid just like herself (ha!) Pain comes in all forms, it's just a matter of getting over, around, or through it. Obviously, your on the right path. BTW, I'm 230 from a high of 260. There's lots of us out there.

I respect your fortitude, and welcome back to the road!

My partner is a Clydesdale ( larger fellow ) for whom I needed to get a bicycle. I chose a Giant Rincon ( brand ) and swapped out the flat bar for BMX bars. We are still working on getting a seat which suits him, but the BMX bars being rather tall helped him quite a bit.
I chose this particular Giant because
low top bar - easy to straddle
sturdy frame
durable wheels
common sizes for components
"gripshift", which I consider to be a great way to learn gearing and shifting for the concerned novice
very forgiving gearing
No shocks or difficult-to-maintain parts
It happened to be inexpensive ( used ), but once I saw it I knew that that was the model/type I preferred for him.

There is always hope, and there will always be 100 people who admire and respect you for getting out and riding for every idiot with a mouth.
I wish you every joy on the road, and look forward to hearing about your new bike, your rides, and your experiences.

Welcome to both calico & woo. :)

Doing a quick google search provided this info
http://www.supersizedcycles.com/bicycle_home

They're located in Vermont. Perhaps some possibilities there?

Thanks everybody... I'm still here, reading and when I settle on my first big bike purchase, (ya know something without a banana seat and painted in a sunshine theme.. that was my favorite)... hopefully in the next couple of weeks I'll make a decision, I'll check back in. I check Craigslist everyday, but I honestly don't know what I'm doing and I am one to be easily fleeced and Craigslist bikeland looks like a fleecers playground.

I actually have checked out the supersized bikes site... I think it's a great idea and resource, but you also pay for the reinforced everything, as you should-- I'm hoping that I'm not that deep into the woods, and there is something in regular inventories that will work for me-- I've actually been on the plus side of 300 and have lost 60+ lbs, from my top weight and supersizedbikes would have been my only solution a few years back... really, just cut out all soda and juices and it just fell off, that was five years ago... so now I'm ready to complete the task -- I'm going to see what there is around here, what the LBS has to say -- and if I can't be helped there, then I'll have to go with another strategy...


Thanks... I'm watching and reading everyday...

Ciao for now...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by calico

I am intrigued by recumbents, but I cannot find a single bike shop in my area which stocks them. At one point I was calling bike shops in other counties with no luck. Shops are happy to special order one if I pay a non-refundable deposit, but nobody had one I could try. I wouldn't know how to tell if it fits me, and it's hard for me to risk $1000+ on something that will just make me hurt in a different body part. Any ideas? I'm willing to even drive a few hours (Delaware? Philly? Baltimore?), if I found a good shop with several recumbents in stock.

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What about Seaford Cycling and Fitness in Seaford, Delaware? http://www.bikesnbents.com/products.html

I know absolutely nothing about this shop except that they're one of the few in this area that has recumbents listed on their website. Might be worth a phone call to see what they have in stock..... Also, no sales tax here in Delaware ;)

zeWoo, you might want to consider a cyclocross bike with 36 spoke rims. Cross bikes are pretty versatile and durable and lighter than mountain bikes.

zewoo, I would second the cyclocross idea. I have a Specialized tricross sport that has put in 4500 miles without problem. If you look in the weightloss thread, you'll see I am not a feather weight. I have had problems with breaking spokes and seat springs and posts with other bikes, but not this one. And it's speedy and cool lookin' too. I get all sorts of compliments on it

I've seen the cyclocross bikes -- and never paid much attention to them, looked a bit out of my league(honestly, past the hybrids, had no idea there were bikes designed for road racing and off road...urgh, I've gotta long way to go), but I'll give them a second look...


Thanks.

I'd take a look at a Surly Cross Check. Not ridiculously expensive, has a steel frame, and a good component set (as stock). The Long Haul Trucker is nice too. I ride a cross check set up as a road bike (skinny tires) for lots of my rides. I'm no featherweight either - mine wasn't a stock build (if you're interested, I'll list out components for you), but I adore it.

CA

I started to mention the Cross Check, but then I would have to revert to my fav brand--Specialized. :p

Note to self: no you cannot have the Pugsley. :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sundial

I started to mention the Cross Check, but then I would have to revert to my fav brand--Specialized. :p

Note to self: no you cannot have the Pugsley. :rolleyes:

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Hee hee:)

The pugsley *is* cool - I just remind myself I'd feel slow. Of course, then I'd feel that much faster on my road bike. Ah well. We don't have enough snow/sand here to justify it:)

calico I second MonOnBike's recommendation for a recumbent. Two years ago I was 250+, suffering from high blood pressure and have a lot of ballance problems. I bought my self a nice mixte and started riding again. After falling off the bike 3 times in 3 weeks I decided that any benefit that I was getting from riding the bike would soon be offset by a trip to the doctor. I tried a recumbent and it was love. My husband and I have gone thru several since. For starters I would recommend a Short Wheel Base with a 20" front wheel. You want the SWB because it is easier to ride in traffic and a small front wheel will allow you to put your feet down easier when you stop. I am down to 199 and meds have decreased. I can now ride a standard bike again if I am careful when stopping (as that was where I kept falling over). I love my "Bents" but the mixte will fit on the front of the bus when I need to travel that way.

BUY A BIKE AND RIDE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These are the wheels that I just got for my surly:

http://cgi.ebay.com/09-Shimano-XT-36...742.m153.l1262

They're 36 holes on an XT hub, so they should be bombproof. I'm hoping.

2 guage spokes? Mine are 4, so I'm guessing the smaller number means thicker. Boy, those do look to be bombproof!

I don't know, according to Sheldon brown, 2.0 gauge should be 2 mm spokes - so yours should be 4 mm spokes and thicker:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_g.html


Are yours bladed though?