The Fat Chronicles

[KnottedYet]

Dude...

There are creases in my back-fat.

My back looks like the belly of a lactating sow. Six teats, all lined up three on a side.

Whoa. I've never seen that before.

This is the fattest I've ever been. (Well, I take that back, I was 10 lbs heavier a couple months ago, but this is still the fattest of my fat-events.) I didn't know my back could crease. Gross.

Stress really really really sucks. I need to do something to relieve my stress so I can lose this crazy fat I've gained in the last couple years.

Time to buy a new bike...
http://somafab.com/bvista.html

[ultraviolet]

Time to buy a new bike...

There's a sweet Bridgestone XO-1 on Seattle's Craigslist right now. Just sayin'...

Stress + Injury has my weight swinging upward right now, too. I was tempted to buy a new bike yesterday...even though I can't actually ride. Hah!

[ultraviolet]

Ooo, now that you've added the Buena Vista link...

I was in Free Range Cycles a couple of weeks back and saw that they had one of those built up into quite the pretty package. (um, yeah...I want way more bikes than I have space to store them.)

[KnottedYet]

Ooo, now that you've added the Buena Vista link...

I was in Free Range Cycles a couple of weeks back and saw that they had one of those built up into quite the pretty package. (um, yeah...I want way more bikes than I have space to store them.)

Free Range is my enabler. They told me it would be cheap and easy to move the parts from my Surly Cross Check to the Soma Buena Vista frame (in graphite, cuz it's purdy and all my black and red parts will look good on it). All I'd have to buy is a set of caliper brakes. I've already got my eye on a lovely set of Tektro R556. (Trek420 has them on her Motobecane mixte, and I lust for them.)

Oh, and I'd have to buy the mixte frame. So maybe $700 outlay, and then sell my Surly frame if it all works out, and that would help pay for the switch.

Just look at that sexy new Soma headbadge: http://www.somafab.com/BuenaVista_rev_bicycletimes.pdf

[Scrappy]

Knotted, That Mixte is the stuff drool fuel is made of.

And I think you've just given me my excuse to spend the money on a trekking bar conversion for my LHT.. "Hon, you know how stressed I've been these last few months..."

[KnottedYet]

I don't suppose there is something you could do to get rid or at least reduce the stress? Maybe I shouldn't mention that, but you've brought it up often.

So, hope you are okay.

I'm ok, it's just life. My doctor is on top of it and is keeping track of my goofy blood levels (actually, my cholesterol has gotten BETTER as I've gotten fatter, go figure!) and stress reactions (gaining weight, chest pains, etc.)

I like my doc. She does not want to put me on meds. She wants me to stop all caffeine, cut down on alcohol, and get lots more exercise.

So, I need a new bike, right?

[NbyNW]

I hear you on the stress, Knot.

If a new bike will reduce your stress, I say go for it.

[zoom-zoom]

She wants me to stop all caffeine, cut down on alcohol...

That would cause me stress...so not kidding.

I think the new bike idea is awesome. New bikes are never a stressful thing, only awesome.

[Trek420]

So, I need a new bike, right?

But you have this in your living room and I love that Surly but ... more bikes more better.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=19096

[KnottedYet]

But you have this in your living room and I love that Surly but ... more bikes more better.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=19096

Too small, really. But the Motobecane is very pretty.

The Buena Vista won't be in stock for a few more months, I have plenty of time to ponder fit and geometry and should I or shouldn't I and "but I love my Cross Check" and "but the mixte is so sexy."

What I really need are some plus-sized shorts and a plus-sized screaming yellow jersey, cuz none of my bike stuff fits at all right now. Can't even get tops zipped nor shorts/skorts/capris up over my hips. I've already picked out a bunch of stuff from TE's nice selection of plus-size, and I'll order tomorrow.

[Bike Chick]

What I really need are some plus-sized shorts and a plus-sized screaming yellow jersey, cuz none of my bike stuff fits at all right now. Can't even get tops zipped nor shorts/skorts/capris up over my hips. I've already picked out a bunch of stuff from TE's nice selection of plus-size, and I'll order tomorrow.

A new bike AND new bike clothes should do the trick It would definitely help my mood.

[TxDoc]

The Buena Vista won't be in stock for a few more months, I have plenty of time to ponder fit and geometry and should I or shouldn't I and "but I love my Cross Check" and "but the mixte is so sexy."

Well, I confess to being an enabler, but how about keeping the cross-check, if you love it, AND getting the new mixte?
Let's just think about how many things a new bike could do for you:

1. The new project will help you with the stress by keeping you busy in the next few months - with the many bike parts to pick and choose for the new mixte, and find, and buy...
2. Once the bike is in, you will get additional stress help: now you get to sit in your garage and actually build up the bike, mechanic work is relaxing, like yoga and it needs precision, so it will motivate to cut down on alcohol and caffeine, and maybe fattening foods too.
3. And, once the bike is built, you have two bikes to choose from every day - the sexy mixte and the cross check. Practically, no excuse left not to ride - so you will get more exercise and ride the weight off.

You see, a new bike is always the solution

Aside from jokes, I hope you are doing ok and that it will get better soon...

[Tri Girl]

I can relate.
The other day I realized that I'm a good cup size A on my back fat. Some people would kill to have b00bs like that up front- and I'm sporting them in the back- with my D's up front.
6 teets lined up all in a row. I'm not laughing at you, I'm sobbing along with you.


And that new Soma... OH. MY. GOSH! I'd kill for that bike- been drooling over it for a while now. I mean really: I'd kill for that bike.

[KnottedYet]

I already have 3 bikes, which is probably too many for my tiny apartment. Can't really afford a new build, but could swing a new frame. I don't really have the tools nor knowledge nor the space to swap the parts myself, but maybe I could do it over the winter as a winter project. (there is a shop near me that has classes and bench rental)

Dunno what I'm doing, mostly day-dreaming. But it was a nice surprise to realize I could actually afford to buy that Buena Vista frame I've wanted for years, and could swap parts over for it.

Spent a lot of time going over the 54cm BV geometry and comparing it to the 52cm Surly Cross Check geometry, and figured that the slight TT difference would be to my advantage. My LBS quite happily confirmed my findings, which just planted that Soma bug deeper into my bike-lust filled heart.

Enablers, I tell ya... bunch of enablers!

[Biciclista]

Oh I saw the one built out at FreeRange, it's too small for Knott. Nice bike, I went right to it! (and wanted it)
Chris Crowley of "younger next year" calls stuff like buying new bikes a "kedge" and it does help to motivate.

take care