Fat Girl on a Bike

[schnitzle]

Yes, I stole the name of a defunct blog for my first post. Go me!

I decided that going to community college at 40 is not embarrassing enough. I need to up the ante and get my big 'ol butt on a bike! It seems like it would be a great way to get outdoors and I'd eventually like to be able to take my dog with me so he can run as fast as he needs to and work out his yayas. Plus I reaaally need to start exercising. I'm 5'4" and 250lbs, things gotta change

So I went to a bike store a friend recommended looking for a hybrid-commuter kind of bike. Tried a Jamis commuter and a Giant cypress. Wow, what a good work out! Maybe going the day that I had very little sleep and after 3 hours of math class wasn't a great idea, but I wanted to try and beat the weekend rush (it's supposed to be nice in Seattle this weekend, so you know all the bike people will be active!). I gotta say, I am exhausted just from test riding the two bikes! It went better than expected though I want to go back and try out their Jamis citizen 1.0. I ran out of steam today and couldn't do it.

It gets easier right? The only way to improve is practice and build strength right? haha I am trying to psyche myself up because I have to admit that at one point during the test rides I thought "Maybe I have lost my mind. I really belong on the couch". But it's so lovely to ride a bike on a nice day!!

[zoom-zoom]

Everything's really hard when you first start...keep going, it will get easier. This is coming from the 30-something chubby mom who decided to give running a try almost 4 years ago and has now completed 3 marathons. You won't get fit overnight, but it will happen if you keep it up. Getting that bike is an awesome first step!

[ny biker]

You do not belong on the couch! And yes it will get easier.

My sister was in her early 40s when she went for her nursing degree at community college. She found it pretty entertaining to be in class with a bunch of teenagers whose perspective on life was just a bit different from hers.

Have fun!

[schnitzle]

Thanks for the encouraging words Zoom-Zoom and NY Biker! I am pretty darn stoked about this whole cycling adventure It helps to hear that it gets better!
I was so lucky to find a LBS that made me feel comfortable. I was really prepared to encounter someone like in this craigslist rant http://www.craigslist.org/about/best...192150038.html but was so pleasantly surprised to find a total opposite experience!

NY Biker, I know exactly what your sister means! A teen in my math class was complaining that she had lost her phone and had no idea where to look because she lost it while drunk. I suggested she call the bar just in case someone turned it in. She said that wouldn't help since she couldn't even remember what bar she was at!!

[tulip]

You are worth the effort!

[zoom-zoom]

I was so lucky to find a LBS that made me feel comfortable. I was really prepared to encounter someone like in this craigslist rant http://www.craigslist.org/about/best...192150038.html but was so pleasantly surprised to find a total opposite experience!

That guy didn't even spell douchebag correctly...kinda kills his whole rant!

[pfunk12]

Good for you, schnitzle! It will get easier. Enjoy!

[moderncyclista]

That guy didn't even spell douchebag correctly...kinda kills his whole rant!

He also mispelled peugeot as poo-zhow. (although I think this wasn't bad spelling as much as scathing sarcasm)

and said this....

So yes, you've noticed the sun is out, and hey!- maybe it would be cool to to some bike riding. Let's keep in mind that the sun came out of all 600,000 of us, so for the most part, you're not the only one who noticed.

My question is how does the sun come out of all 600,00 of us????? Do I really want to know?

[marni]

Good for you for leaping into the world of biking. May you be safe and enjoy the jouney. Remember to always wear your helmet and carrry a cell phone.

I started biking 5 years ago to get in shape and lose weight. I could barely do a mile a day but when I could do a mile without dying, I added a mile, when I could do 2 I went to 4, 4 to 6, 6 to 8 etc. and when I could 35-40 miles in a resonable time I signed up for some local charity rides.

Since then I have started doing serious gym time on my own and with a trainer, usually 2 hours a day 2 to 3 days a week and my routine training rides vary between 40 and 75 miles 3-4 times a week at about 16 mph. Granted it's not speedy but it is consisten.

Last spring I did a cross country ride with 19 other women. We went from San Diego CA to St. Augustine Fl.

Since I have started riding I have lost 125 pounds, dropped dress sizes from a 22xl to 10 petite and gone from a body fat of 49% to 22%. My blood pressure which was referred to text book normal at 60/120 has dropped to 55/110 and I get really grouchy grouchy if I can't ride a couple of days a week.

All this is to say that yes, it does get easier and more enjoyable. If I can do at 60 plus, so can you. Please keep us posted on your progress, I personally am rooting for you, especially since you are also in school and have demands on your time.

marni

[ACiveE]

I just wanted to cheer you on a bit!! I was almost your exact height and weight about two years ago...5'5" and 256lbs. I'm down nearly 90lbs now. Size 24 to a size 10/12. It's a constant battle but it is something that you CAN do and cycling is a great way to get started. Finding a great LBS is a good thing, but TE has been the best resource I've found. I'm not a big poster, but I'm a big reader and searcher. It's quite inspirational. Goooood luck with riding!!

[Eden]

I think the craigslist thing is one of those little internet versions of an urban legend. Someone wrote it to be funny and it gets copied and spread around. It's probably been posted to every city's CL site and dozens of message boards by now....... (kind of like the bikini waxing story - which even if total fiction is still hilarious)

For kicks I went and read the Yelp reviews on RecycledCycles. The dissatisfied people were not racer types (and many of the guys who work there race themselves so they don't have an anti-racer attitude) - they tended to be newbies, largely women, who wanted a whole lot more customer service than you get there. They do tend to leave you alone if you don't ask for things. Someone complained about not being greeted when she walked into the shop and attributed it to them being racist, sexist and classist...... Sorry, nope everyone gets the same treatment. It's a busy shop and they prefer to let you do your own thing until you ask and yes there often is a wait for someone who is free.

Of course some folks were also disgruntled about the very thing the rant talked about - they walked in wanting an impossible bike and were peeved when it couldn't be provided.... (I want a classic steel road bike, it has to fit like a glove and I only want to spend $200.....)

I like Recycled and I shop there relatively often. They built my winter wheels too. I personally prefer to be left alone until I ask for assistance. Really I've probably been to most Seattle area shops at least once.... Depends on what I need.

[KnottedYet]

Let's do a "Schnitzles' New Bike" slow cruise ride!

If you're not sure you could ride a mile, how about driving your bike to Log Boom Park and meeting up with a few of us for a 1 or 2 mile ride on the Burke Gilman?

We can putt-putt on the trail, ooh and ahhh over your new bike (whatever you get), and if something problematic pops up as you ride someone among us could probably address it.

Of course, this means you'd have to let us know once you've bought the bike and tell us some times and days that work for you.

The BG is pretty flat and wide near Log Boom, and there is a really good long straight bit just south of Log Boom which is good for putt-putting. People can see riders from a good distance off and avoid them. (blind corners suck when you are just cruising!)

[Zen]

I decided that going to community college at 40 is not embarrassing enough.

Piker.
I'm 52 and not the least bit embarrassed.

Finals? In March?

[channlluv]

Hey, Schnitzle,

Welcome! A year and a half ago, give or take, I got on a bike for the first time in years, and like you, I am 5' 4.5", and at the time, I weighed 250 pounds. Now, I'm not really the typical TEr in that I don't ride miles and miles every week. In fact, because of injuries and family stuff, I haven't even ridden outside since October, and I've only been on the trainer a few times, but I love riding my bike, and I'm making up the road time in the pool, but thanks to the love, support, and education I've received here, I'm down 20 pounds and I'm so much healthier and in such a better place emotionally and psychologically than I was two years ago.

Look for the just-started March-April Weight Loss Thread (possegal will be posting it later this week since it's the first week of March). Add your current weight and set a goal and keep track along with the rest of us. It's awesome to watch your progress.

You can ask anything here. Anything at all. You'll get a supportive and informative answer. There is no flaming, no ridicule, no judging. This is the most supportive online community you'll find anywhere. I'm so glad I found it, and I'm sure you will be, too.

Congrats on the new bike, too. Post a photo!

Roxy

[KnottedYet]

There is no flaming, no ridicule, no judging.

'Cept me. I'm judged as flamingly ridiculous.