Got Quads?

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I'm easily 20#s heavier than ideal for my height and build (I'm nearly 155 at just < 5'4"), but I love how beastly my thighs are. Sunday was the Tour de Tahoe and I rode it with the JDRF Ride to Cure team. I was really nervous about all of the climbing and especially at elevation with asthma...but I surprised myself. The steep switchbacks fairly early in the ride were barely a blip on my radar. I was passing people like mad, including lots of people who walked their bikes up. At my ideal weight I think I could be kind of a semi-monster!

[Owlie]

High five! Hills kill me. I just tell myself that there's no shame in walking.

I also don't put on a ton of extra muscle bulk. Maybe that means I'm not riding enough.

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I also don't put on a ton of extra muscle bulk. Maybe that means I'm not riding enough.

Nah, I'm a solid mesomorph...I bulk pretty easily. You ride plenty!

[jessmarimba]

Haha... I bulk up a little, too. My BF made a comment the other day on "how big my thighs were" - I knew what he meant & was not truly offended but it was funny listening to him try to backpedal his way out of that one!

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I consider it a compliment when my hubby comments on my thighs...he has ENORMOUS thighs and likes me "sturdy," as he puts it. Our kid is a beanpole, but we have no doubts that once he hits puberty his legs are going to get beefy, too. Both his dad and I were pretty twiggy as kids.

[Elphaba]

Also a mesomorph. Never was a beanpole!

Me too. Kristen, you look great. I am 5'4" and 150 give or take. I have lost 35 pounds in the past 2 years and have pretty much determined this is where my body is happy. I know I carry extra weight in my rear and thighs. In fact, my 11-year- old son keeps telling me he heard on tv that larger legs are a sign of a healthy heart. Keep active, keep an eye on what you eat and the rest will take care of itself.

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In fact, my 11-year- old son keeps telling me he heard on tv that larger legs are a sign of a healthy heart. Keep active, keep an eye on what you eat and the rest will take care of itself.

Yes...there was recently something to that effect--that people who carry a reasonable amount of extra weight on their lower half are actually healthier than people who are slim all over. I think we may have even discussed that here. My MIL is quite slim and weighs less than I do, even though she is 4.5" taller than I am and all legs, but she's always had high BP, high triglycerides, and is on statins. I see stars if I stand up too fast and my blood work does not look like #s that belong with someone who is a bit soft.

[Cycling Sister]

I'm easily 20#s heavier than ideal for my height and build (I'm nearly 155 at just < 5'4"), but I love how beastly my thighs are. Sunday was the Tour de Tahoe and I rode it with the JDRF Ride to Cure team. I was really nervous about all of the climbing and especially at elevation with asthma...but I surprised myself. The steep switchbacks fairly early in the ride were barely a blip on my radar. I was passing people like mad, including lots of people who walked their bikes up. At my ideal weight I think I could be kind of a semi-monster!

Amazing quads!!! I'm jealous at the definition! I always hear people say that a lower body weight is important when climbing. However, I think muscle mass is more important. My quads are not very muscular. Women who weigh 20 plus pounds more than me routinely beat me up hills.

[Owlie]

Yes...there was recently something to that effect--that people who carry a reasonable amount of extra weight on their lower half are actually healthier than people who are slim all over. I think we may have even discussed that here. My MIL is quite slim and weighs less than I do, even though she is 4.5" taller than I am and all legs, but she's always had high BP, high triglycerides, and is on statins. I see stars if I stand up too fast and my blood work does not look like #s that belong with someone who is a bit soft.

I think that applies only if the slim person isn't fit--I think it was called "thin fat" or something, where there's fat deposits around organs that doesn't show on the outside...may well apply in my case, though, since I manage to store fat solely in my abdomen and inner thighs. Thanks, genes.

I was just looking at photos from when I started riding (2009ish, when I was still walking everywhere). Compared to then, I do have quads!

[TigerMom]

Proud of you. Excellent job. Keep it up!
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[OakLeaf]

You look terrific.

And this is a terrific article on that subject.

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That is a great article!

[maillotpois]

See also: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/07/sp...nted=1&_r=1&hp

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See also: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/07/sp...nted=1&_r=1&hp

Ha, it probably comes as no surprise that I was a sprinter (running) in HS...100, 200, and the relays were my thing.

[nscrbug]

I went shopping for pants yesterday. Tried on about 10 pairs...walked out with only 1. Why, you ask??? Because I'm having a hard time finding pants that fit my "cycling legs". I normally wear a size 8 in most brands/styles. But yesterday, I noticed that while the size 8's fit okay in the waist...that isn't quite the story with my thighs. I'm not fond of body-hugging pants, so my search continues. I'm thinking that I may have to try a "curvy" style of pants to see if those fit my legs better. My hips aren't the problem...just that meaty part of the thigh, where the quad muscle is really defined.