Fat Girl on a Bike

[schnitzle]

That was an interesting kerfuffle (love that word!). I of course had to go check it out. It was a very interesting read. I didn't make it over to Bothell today but now I'm kind of interested in checking that shop out just to see for myself.

Wow Marni, I am so impressed and encouraged by your post! The fact that you started at 60 makes it even more awesome I'm all for breaking stereotypes of what we can and can't do. I'd be happy to be able to do half of what you have accomplished! I really appreciate your support. I'm feeling cautiously optimistic, even though I don't think I could ride a mile at this point.
When you started out, were you able to ride around home or did you have to take your bike somewhere to ride? I've suddenly become aware of how hilly it is in my area. I think I'll need to find a flatter place to practice for a while...

Moderncyclista, wow good eye! I had to read your comment a few times before I saw the mistake hehehe. I love sunny days and all, but I really don't want to witness that!

[darling]

Wow, I'm learning so much already. i've been riding daily for a few years now...but only on snowless days and then i ride boringly inside...and of course don't put as much into it. I am so impressed with all of your diligence, ladies! You truly are an inspiration!
I'm new to this forum and very excited to gain insight into this cycle/fitness/community thing...Since my current bike is 40 years old and very well made, i'm not springing for a new one until I know exactly what i want...it'll be so fun to learn!
darling

[Bike Chick]

Good for you, schnitzle! I started riding at 46. Began with a $200 mountain bike (thought I'd spent a fortune--little did I know) then followed the normal progression to a hybrid and road bike. My first ride was 6 miles and I thought I would die. The next year I did my first century and the following year my first triathlon. You will get the bug. It's a wonderful addiction and, no, you don't belong on the couch! Welcome to TE!

Wow, I'm learning so much already. i've been riding daily for a few years now...but only on snowless days and then i ride boringly inside...and of course don't put as much into it. I am so impressed with all of your diligence, ladies! You truly are an inspiration!
I'm new to this forum and very excited to gain insight into this cycle/fitness/community thing...Since my current bike is 40 years old and very well made, i'm not springing for a new one until I know exactly what i want...it'll be so fun to learn!
darling

Darling, welcome to TE. You will learn a lot here and make a lot of new friends. Maybe we can get a group of St Louis area gals together for a ride.

[bikerHen]

You go girl! Bike riding has completely changed my life for the better. If you ever come for a visit to the dryside, bring your bike. I would love to show you Spokane's Cenntennial Trail. It's a great place to ride. bikerHen

[schnitzle]

Thanks BikerHen (Love your screenname!) I might just take you up on that offer My partner is from the Tri-cities so we do go over the mountains every once in a while.

[tc1]

North Seattle, that is. If you want someone slow to ride with, give a holler. I like dogs too, but I won't be bringing crazyboy.

[marni]

sweetie, I live in Houston- around here the only hills are railroad crossings and freeway overpasses- mind you we do have headwinds which are good for resistance but don't do much for hill training. The biggest obstacle around here is texas drivers, the heat and humidity. But I ride way out in the country where there isn't quite as much traffic which takes care of the drivers. As for the heat and humidity, I in the summer I ride out at the butt crack of dawn so that I am off the road by 11:00 and I cut my distances a bit but frankly once your wet and sweaty, it doesn't really get much worse. The hardest part is mopping up the sweat pools off the kitchen floor.

marni

[schnitzle]

Hey I finally got my bike!!! I went to Bikesport in Ballard and picked out a Jamis Citizen 1. Of the bikes I tried it fit me the best, and I like those straight handlebars. Krista at Bikesport is awesome and really helped me chose the right bike. I had fenders, a rack, lock and a water bottle holder put on. I just got a couple little lights since I won't be riding at night for a while, and a pack so that I can (eventually) carry a few things. Oh yes and a helmet! All those things sure add to the price! haha Of course directly after the purchase it started raining :P

Today (my B-day!) we put the bike in the car, grabbed the dogs and went out to a deserted park. SO FUN!! I actually found exercise that is fun!! Plus I could check out what kind of things were peeking up through the dirt (baby stinging nettles waiting to be cooked up! Kept an eye out for any morels.) and of course look at all the birds out and about. I rode around a bit, then taught the dog how to run along side the bike with a leash (going slow of course!) after a while he was able to run along side like he'd been doing it his whole life! Probably the most exercise either of us have had in 5 years! LOL I want to see about getting one of those dog out-rigger things so I could take him with on leash. Plus it's just safer. My partner rode the bike too and really enjoyed herself. I think she's getting interested in getting her own, YAY!!

Thanks for all the comments and support, I love this place!

KnottedYet, I would love to try riding with you guys I am about to hit finals at school so it probably won't be for a couple of weeks. Hey maybe that would give the weather some time to shape up?

Marni, I should have known that about Texas shouldn't I? haha Geez. I was born there (Corpus Christi) but left when I was 2 so I don't remember it. The heat and humidity sounds just as daunting as hills!

[lovesunflowers]

I also am pretty new to cycling and am a 6' tall (which gets me enough attention as it is) and I'm also over 250 pounds. I've struggled with my weight all my life and did get up to 90 pounds lost at one point and then starting going backwards to my current spot right now. I love cycling! Its hard sometimes to get up that hill, but, each time it really does get easier and easier and then you have that fabulous ride back down which is thrilling; a reward for all that hard work. I have been looking for proper cycling gear in PLUS sizes and finally discovered this wonderful site and then this awesome group here! I actually was crying after my 5th stop in a bike shop to try to find clothes in my size!! Its easy to feel like they don't believe big girls can ride too and be serious about it!! I have my first 36 mile bike ride coming up for a fund raiser and I'm scared but will do my best. I hope you love riding as much as I have. As my best friend said: just keep peddling, just keep peddling....

[KnottedYet]

KnottedYet, I would love to try riding with you guys I am about to hit finals at school so it probably won't be for a couple of weeks. Hey maybe that would give the weather some time to shape up?

Excellent! You have a bike! Now just get your wife on one, too!
One of my friends loves Krista at BikeSport. I've only been to that shop once, but I liked it (too far from me to go there regularly).

Check the "Northwest" forum for the Redhook Ride. We will probably do it in May or so this year. Very fun, very easy-going.

Meanwhile, put up a notice in the Northwest forum when you are done with finals, and set a couple times and days you'd like to do a putt-putt or cruise. Folks will chime in, and before you know it there will be a TE cruise in the works!

[TriMom217]

47 and attending community college, again. Also 5'4" but not 250 pounds. But I was at one time! Down to about 175 now and I just can't seem to get much lower and stay there.

Anyhow, good luck in school and on your bike. Can you ride to class?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hey Schnitzle,
You sound pretty cool to me. You also sound pretty darned young to me. I'm riding my bike at 56, and some might think I look goofy doing it. But what I think about myself is way more important than what others think.

So think of it this way- you can either be a heavy 40 year old woman riding a bike and going to school....or you can be a heavy 40 year old woman who doesn't ride a bike or go to school. Tough choice, huh?

You go, girl!

[Cherie]

Thank you so much for sharing your story!! I am 5'8" and 225 lbs and it is nice to see other ladies getting back into riding and sharing some of the same concerns/obstacles.

Keep up the good work!!!
Cherie

[Tri Girl]

I'm so excited for you!!! Congrats on your new bike- woo hoo!! Do you have a picture of it (we all love bike pictures, you know).

I think it's great that you are not only going to CC to get your education, but that you're biking there as well!! I feel kinda dorky at times because I ride my bike to work (I work with elementary and middle school students). The middle schoolers will say things like "nice bike" and laugh. I know they think I'm a dork, but even if I drove a Lamborghini they'd think I was dorky. No matter to me- I LOVE my bike, and it sounds like you love yours, too. Bring it on!!

I can't wait to hear all about your adventures!!!

[marni]

well I didn't start riding until I was 56 and weighed 248.
now in 2010 I have been riding and commuting around the neighborhood for 5 years and keep myself off of the street by working out in the gym when I'm not biking and I am only half the woman I used to be. Hang in there, you can do it and to heck with them all.

marni