Inspiration

[bluerider]

So I picked up the latest issue of Bicycling and it featured two cyclists who were severely overweight but extremely active cyclists. It's a great article about their struggles and weight and cycling in general. I just wanted to quote something Mike Magnuson wrote in his article:

What happens in our lives that draws us to cycling? Are we drawn because we want to weight 150, or 130, and win bikes races over mountains whose names we can't pronounce correctly? No. We are drawn, regardless of weight or gender or creed or color, because by the time we get home from our first ride that went longer than it should have, when we're sore and beat-up and suffering from blown legs and blown minds, the only thing we're thinking is, "Hey, I want to do that again".

This couldn't have better captured my first ride and my every ride out there. I hope I don't sound dramatic when I say riding my bike is cathartic; no matter how tired I am after work or how long the day has been, nothing makes me feel better about myself and my day than a bike ride.

I wanted to share this for those who think you have to look like a TdF rider to be a serious roadie or are self-conscious about how you look on the bike. RIDE ON!!!

[drplasma64]

Thanks for posting that exerpt. I definitely need inspiration!

I've been riding 3x/week now since the end of June, and I can say that it makes me feel good. Swimming is maybe the only other exercise that makes me feel good. I went out for an hour tonight, and thought I could do more if I had the time. What a concept for me! I'm just worried about what will happen when the weather turns...will I still have fun in the rain and cold? Will I get a trainer? Will I start swimming again instead? Will I become a couch potato again????

[tricat]

Hey bluerider,

Your so right, a bike ride is a wonderful stress reliever and reunites you with nature. Last night I got a quick ride in before it turned dark outside (it gets dark so much earlier now and watched a beautiful sunset as I was heading home. The whole ride was wonderful and put be in such a wonderful mood. I wish more people would learn about the joys of cycling. Course it helps to have a great bike too! I love mine!

tricat

[bluerider]

I'm glad you could relate to the excerpt. No worries drplasma, you'll find other ways to motivate yourself as the days get shorter and the winter hits. Snow, ice and running the dark is something I've unfortunately had to get used to but I also remember all the times that I've gotten up and I made the first footprints in the snow.

I agree tricat, I'm trying to get more of my friends to give cycling a go. But I often get the responses of "I'll get hurt" or "It's too hard" so hope my fervour for the sport will inspire others.

[Trekhawk]

I also read this and thought good for you guys getting out there and giving it a go (one of the guys has actually now done 16 centuries). One part of the article did make me sad though and a little angry that some people can be so rude. Here it is below.

David says while he professes love for cyclists in general - thinks road racers are jerks. A few years back, when Dave weighed in at a featherlight 247, he packed up his Colnago and showed up at a USCF circuit race in Boston. Before the race, he was thrilled to see fancy bikes everywhere-he had never seen that many awesome machines in one place-and approached a guy on a Pegoretti, and said,"Hey,nice bike." The racer looked David up and down and said, "Cant buy speed." And rode off.

[bikerchick68]

I read this too... great article! It's too bad in every walk of life there are jerks... pro racing is no different. For the most part tho, cyclists that I have run into have been very supportive...

when my bro began road riding he was still 380lbs... road his first century at 320lbs... as we rode people along the way offered words of encouragement with no condescension at all... it was very, very cool... my bro is (as of this AM) now down to 238lbs!!! He has lost 220lbs from his original weight and wants to possibly write a book about how cycling changed his life...

[anaphase]

I read this too... great article! It's too bad in every walk of life there are jerks... pro racing is no different. For the most part tho, cyclists that I have run into have been very supportive...

when my bro began road riding he was still 380lbs... road his first century at 320lbs... as we rode people along the way offered words of encouragement with no condescension at all... it was very, very cool... my bro is (as of this AM) now down to 238lbs!!! He has lost 220lbs from his original weight and wants to possibly write a book about how cycling changed his life...

Your brother's story is really inspiring. I bookmarked that page on the mtb forum and show it to people I work with all the time.

I'd love to read his book!

[Trekhawk]

[QUOTE=bikerchick68]
when my bro began road riding he was still 380lbs... road his first century at 320lbs... as we rode people along the way offered words of encouragement with no condescension at all... it was very, very cool... my bro is (as of this AM) now down to 238lbs!!! He has lost 220lbs from his original weight and wants to possibly write a book about how cycling changed his life...

bikerchick68 - give your brother the thumbs up from me . That is a great story and yes he should write a book it would be inspirational for all.

Im pleased to know that he has been offered heaps of encouragement by other cyclists. I always feel bad when I hear that its not the case because its a rather catch 22 situation for larger people. Everyone likes to have a go and say why are they not out doing something to loose weight but then when they do people feel its their right to ridicule. It cant always be easy so I admire these riders immensely.

[bluerider]

I read this too... great article! It's too bad in every walk of life there are jerks... pro racing is no different. For the most part tho, cyclists that I have run into have been very supportive...

when my bro began road riding he was still 380lbs... road his first century at 320lbs... as we rode people along the way offered words of encouragement with no condescension at all... it was very, very cool... my bro is (as of this AM) now down to 238lbs!!! He has lost 220lbs from his original weight and wants to possibly write a book about how cycling changed his life...

That's amazing bikerchick. You're bro is amazing and his story is a really inspiration. I hope he knows that he's really admired on this forum!

[bikerchick68]

[QUOTE Im pleased to know that he has been offered heaps of encouragement by other cyclists. I always feel bad when I hear that its not the case because its a rather catch 22 situation for larger people. Everyone likes to have a go and say why are they not out doing something to loose weight but then when they do people feel its their right to ridicule. It cant always be easy so I admire these riders immensely.[/QUOTE]

Having spent my young adult life being pretty overweight I can guarantee you the ridicule DOES NOT HELP... I didn't need people to tell me I was heavy... I knew that very well! Weight is not something you can "fix" for someone else... that person has to do it on their own... words of encouragement go much, much farther to helping someone succeed...

thanks for the nice words... I will pass them along to my bro! I can remember teaching him how to draft...now I have to draft him to try to keep up... he drops me easily BUT he always slows down without complaining or moaning that I'm going too slow... He's a good big brother!

[bikerchick68]

Your brother's story is really inspiring. I bookmarked that page on the mtb forum and show it to people I work with all the time.

I'd love to read his book!

anaphase thank you! Did you see the pics I posted of the Cool Breeze Century? My brother is in the first pic to the left of me as you view the picture... a drastic difference even since the mtbr forum pics!!! June 18th saw him down 200lbs and he rode his first DOUBLE century... Next year he wants to do the CA Triple Crown... 3 doubles in the alloted time...