Fat Girl on a Bike

[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.

[LizzyBee]

Schnitzle,
Guuurrrlllll you got the bug!! Woo hoo! I rode a mountain bike twenty some years ago when I was in college and then stopped riding. I asked my husband to buy me a bike last January for my birthday, only wanted something inexpensive as I didn't know if I would continue riding. Oh wow, I got the biking bug soon after! My starting weight was about the same as yours now, but have lost 25 lbs since last October. I have cleaned up my diet and have been riding consistently since the fall.

I rode that poor mtb to death almost! Realizing I like racking up the miles, I upgraded to my first road bike last month. It's been awesome! Now I'm training for my first century ride this summer (I posted a separate thread about the training, questions, etc....)!

It has been fun and challenging so far and I love adding a few extra miles to my long ride each week! Last Sunday I rode for almost 5 hours straight. I remember my first ride last year being 45 minutes and I was excited about that! So, enjoy each step you make, progress at your own pace and enjoy. We can't wait to see what you discover about yourself!

Have a blast!
Liz

[repto]

As a plus size, year round cyclist, here are my tips/tricks:

1. Get a saddle that is comfortable. For me, it was the Easy seat.
<<http://www.amazon.com/Hobson-Easyseat-Ergonomical-Saddle-Black/dp/B000GBK4Z4>>. It's a cheap saddle but it has made a WORLD of difference for me. Before I got this seat (now 4 years ago), a long ride found my nether regions numb and/or in pain. I *never* suffer now--even if I do 30 miles in the saddle in one day. This seat took about a week of futzing with until I got it adjusted 'just so', but once I found the sweet spot, there has been no looking back.

2. Get fenders. They keep the mud, water and schmootz off your butt/legs and make cycling just so much more enjoyable.

3. Get a rack and panniers. I hate having stuff hanging off my body (purse, extra coat, etc). Plus, I generate a lot of heat once I get going, so while I like having a windbreaker or coat on early in the ride, once I warm up I want to divest myself of layers. Having a pannier or grocery bag shopper pannier makes that easy and convenient. You can store you lock, your purse, your extra coat or rain jacket, etc. in the pannier and be on your merry way without having to carry it in a backpack (ewww, sweat magnet!). Another benefit to panniers is that you can go shopping and bring things home with you easily.

4. Dress in layers. Being able to thermoregulate makes a huge difference in being happy when you ride. I *hate* getting drippy sweaty and having to show up someplace looking good. UGGH.

On that note, good quality (non itchy) wool is a beautiful thing--esp. in socks. Wool is antimicrobial, so it fights stink and it is comfortable in both cool and hot weather (weird but true). It also retains it's ability to stay warm when it gets wet--something very handy when riding in the winter or rainy months.

5. Think about using the bike to make multi-modal trips. Many municipalities allow you to bring bikes on the train or bus. Don't let a longish route intimidate you... esp. if you could take mass transit to get home if you get too tired.

6. Use your gears, if you have them. Whenever I stop, I downshift. Get in the habit. Your knees will thank you.

Jane <---year round cycling mommy in Chicago

[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

[Crankin]

Who cares what people think?
I am 56, like Bleeker, and I am back in school, preparing for a new career. The younger grad students ask meadvice about riding, buying a bike.

Some of my friends really don't understand 1)why I ride my bike and 2) why I am working my azz off in school so i can go back to work, when I could be doing nothing. They are the same ones who complain about how much they "can't do" anymore.

[abejita]

Yeah for you!! I was in your exact position at the beginning of last summer, 5'4" and about 220. I bought a jamis ventura race, it was the beginning of an addiction. I started out riding 5 miles or so. Today, I weigh 80lbs less and I completed my longest ride to date this past weekend...50miles in howling 40+mph wind. I am so stoked. Hubs and I are training for hotter'n hell this August.

Let us know how your cycling journey goes!

mary

[violetpurl]

Scottie!

/threadjack

[abejita]

LOL! Close...but he is a Giant Schnauzer!

[violetpurl]

lol - oops... Hi big boy!