Hey bamakathey - yay - another member of the "big gal cycling club"!

I'm another one who's lost 50 pounds on the bike - I still have a ways to go, but wow - has it been fun! (and this after 25+ years of battling my weight, hating to exercise, and feeling like I was doomed to "diet - fail - repeat" for the rest of my life).

My first time out I rode barely 5 totally flat miles and thought OH MY GOD this is impossible! But it did get less impossible, and each ride was more fun, and immensely gratifying. Being outside, riding alone or with friends - it's all great! Also, since we are moving more weight along than the skinny riders do, it seems to me we must be building muscle faster. And it's is a wonderful feeling to feel strong instead of just heavy.

I heartily second the recommendation to get padded shorts - sooner the better - TE has some in plus sizes - I started with the Mt Borah baggy shorts with padded underliner. (In fact, that's how I found this forum - searching for plus-size cycling clothes after my second 5 mile ride! Best google search results ever!)

Welcome! Enjoy the ride!