Humbling Experience

Hud said:

This evening I showed up for the 6 p.m. group ride with the local bicycle
club I just joined. It's my first time so I show up early at 5:30 p.m. I
see a team of riders decked out in professional looking uniforms. They're
getting ready to take off. My Trek 7200 comfort bike looked out of place
among their sleek racing bikes. "Thank God this isn't the group I'm riding
with!" I think to myself. I was waiting to ride with the recreational
group. The nice woman who works in the bike shop then answered the phone
and handed it to me. It's the recreational group leader. He tells me the
recreational group no longer meets Wednesday nights because it's late in the
year and it gets dark too soon. Bummer.

The three guys from the bike team I was talking to then invite me to ride
with them. Did I mention they were a friendly lot? I asked them what their
average speed is. "Oh, 18 to 22 miles per hour," one answered. I'm then
asked what my average speed is. "Oh, 12 to 14 miles per hour." I knew I
couldn't keep up with them. But one of the guys was 55 years old and a bit
overweight. "I'm ten years younger..." methinks to myself. Hmmmm.

I decide to ride with them and hang on for as long as I can. The first mile
wasn't too bad. They were just easing into the ride. Then they picked up
speed and I watched them disappear from my view. I didn't quit. My legs
were pumping hard and my thighs were screaming from the 26 mile ride I did
last night. I felt every one of my 45 years and every one of my 245 lbs!
Damn, it sucks to be out of shape.

Long story short: I couldn't hang with the big dogs. I felt like a toddler
on a tricycle. I continued riding by myself and then headed back to the
car. I've got a lot of work to do.

I can relate. I am a few years older and about your size. First
comparing speed of a comfort bike with that of a racing bike isn't a
fair comparison. I ride a Schwinn Rocket Mountain bike that speed
isn't such a high priority. You made the 26 miles. Good for you. I
am slowly working my way up too. I am planning on using mine as
camping transportation opening up more of the country I can see and
photograph in a given time.

I am trying not to think of it as training or work. I am trying to
look forward and enjoy every single ride for some reason. This week I
found a new bike trail to explore. There are several others nearby
and found a way to make an old car carrier work with the SUV's I have
now. I haven't had my new bike long, but I have already got my
money's worth in fun.

Hud said:

This evening I showed up for the 6 p.m. group ride with the local bicycle
club I just joined. It's my first time so I show up early at 5:30 p.m. I
see a team of riders decked out in professional looking uniforms. They're
getting ready to take off. My Trek 7200 comfort bike looked out of place
among their sleek racing bikes. "Thank God this isn't the group I'm riding
with!" I think to myself. I was waiting to ride with the recreational
group. The nice woman who works in the bike shop then answered the phone
and handed it to me. It's the recreational group leader. He tells me the
recreational group no longer meets Wednesday nights because it's late in the
year and it gets dark too soon. Bummer.

The three guys from the bike team I was talking to then invite me to ride
with them. Did I mention they were a friendly lot? I asked them what their
average speed is. "Oh, 18 to 22 miles per hour," one answered. I'm then
asked what my average speed is. "Oh, 12 to 14 miles per hour." I knew I
couldn't keep up with them. But one of the guys was 55 years old and a bit
overweight. "I'm ten years younger..." methinks to myself. Hmmmm.

I decide to ride with them and hang on for as long as I can. The first mile
wasn't too bad. They were just easing into the ride. Then they picked up
speed and I watched them disappear from my view. I didn't quit. My legs
were pumping hard and my thighs were screaming from the 26 mile ride I did
last night. I felt every one of my 45 years and every one of my 245 lbs!
Damn, it sucks to be out of shape.

Long story short: I couldn't hang with the big dogs. I felt like a toddler
on a tricycle. I continued riding by myself and then headed back to the
car. I've got a lot of work to do.

I can relate. I am a few years older and about your size. First
comparing speed of a comfort bike with that of a racing bike isn't a
fair comparison. I ride a Schwinn Rocket Mountain bike that speed
isn't such a high priority. You made the 26 miles. Good for you. I
am slowly working my way up too. I am planning on using mine as
camping transportation opening up more of the country I can see and
photograph in a given time.

I am trying not to think of it as training or work. I am trying to
look forward and enjoy every single ride for some reason. This week I
found a new bike trail to explore. There are several others nearby
and found a way to make an old car carrier work with the SUV's I have
now. I haven't had my new bike long, but I have already got my
money's worth in fun.

Hud said:

Long story short: I couldn't hang with the big dogs. I felt like a toddler
on a tricycle. I continued riding by myself and then headed back to the
car. I've got a lot of work to do.

Don't worry, we all have our "big dogs". For me it's a couple of A-grade
veterans I ride with a lot - I'm fine with them on the flat, but they drop
me up any non-trivial hill. And they talk about a couple of local teams
they can barely hang onto...

I probably should not write this but I lost about 10 pounds this
summer, from 164 down to 154 lbs. I could climb better than most of
the people I ride with in the beginning but noticed a big improvement
as time went on. Now every now and then someone will say "tie a rope
around that guy." I am not very strong but any weight you lose
(assuming you don't lose muscle) will be a big help.
If it is any consolation, I have to pedal down hill to keep up with
everyone...I am too light to coast fast, too much wind resistance and
not enough momentum!

Ted

"Ted" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I probably should not write this but I lost about 10 pounds this
summer, from 164 down to 154 lbs. I could climb better than most of
the people I ride with in the beginning but noticed a big improvement
as time went on. Now every now and then someone will say "tie a rope
around that guy." I am not very strong but any weight you lose
(assuming you don't lose muscle) will be a big help.
If it is any consolation, I have to pedal down hill to keep up with
everyone...I am too light to coast fast, too much wind resistance and
not enough momentum!

Ted

Ted, I am so motivated to lose weight and become a faster rider. Hunger
pangs are gnawing at my gut as I type these words. I tell myself it's a
good feeling...means I'm losing weight. I'm eating between 1500 to 1800
calories per day. I'm going to continue riding indoors (on a fluid trainer)
through the Ohio winter months because: A. I love to ride and B. I want to
shed fat. The cycling team I mentioned is Team Rocky out of Marion, Ohio.
What a class act these guys are. They could have been callous, rude and
condescending. But they were not in the least bit. A very friendly,
easy-going lot. One of the riders was 55 years-old and in great shape. He
told me he used to be overweight and his cholesterol was sky high. After
riding and shedding some pounds, he and his doctor were happy to discover
his cholesterol dropped way down. Another Team Rocky rider told me he used
to weigh 210 lbs. Cycling brought his weight down to it's current 165.
These guys lit a fire in me to become a better cyclist. When Spring comes
I'll upgrade to a road bike. Last night I checked a few out at the LBS and
discovered I have expensive taste. I liked the Trek Pilot and the Madone.
The Pilot was stickered at $2300 and the Madone was $2400. They also had
some nice road bikes in the $700 to $1500 range. Maybe Santa will bring me
one this year.

"Hud" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Ted" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I probably should not write this but I lost about 10 pounds this
summer, from 164 down to 154 lbs. I could climb better than most of
the people I ride with in the beginning but noticed a big improvement
as time went on. Now every now and then someone will say "tie a rope
around that guy." I am not very strong but any weight you lose
(assuming you don't lose muscle) will be a big help.
If it is any consolation, I have to pedal down hill to keep up with
everyone...I am too light to coast fast, too much wind resistance and
not enough momentum!

Ted

Ted, I am so motivated to lose weight and become a faster rider. Hunger
pangs are gnawing at my gut as I type these words. I tell myself it's a
good feeling...means I'm losing weight. I'm eating between 1500 to 1800
calories per day. I'm going to continue riding indoors (on a fluid
trainer) through the Ohio winter months because: A. I love to ride and B.
I want to shed fat. The cycling team I mentioned is Team Rocky out of
Marion, Ohio. What a class act these guys are. They could have been
callous, rude and condescending. But they were not in the least bit. A
very friendly, easy-going lot. One of the riders was 55 years-old and in
great shape. He told me he used to be overweight and his cholesterol was
sky high. After riding and shedding some pounds, he and his doctor were
happy to discover his cholesterol dropped way down. Another Team Rocky
rider told me he used to weigh 210 lbs. Cycling brought his weight down
to it's current 165. These guys lit a fire in me to become a better
cyclist. When Spring comes I'll upgrade to a road bike. Last night I
checked a few out at the LBS and discovered I have expensive taste. I
liked the Trek Pilot and the Madone. The Pilot was stickered at $2300 and
the Madone was $2400. They also had some nice road bikes in the $700 to
$1500 range. Maybe Santa will bring me one this year.

Or you can put drop bars, STIs and narrow slicks on your 7200 hybrid and
have an inexpensive road bike. I know someone who did just that, but to
mostly tour, for centuries and club rides, obviously not race. Good luck!

"Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition ®" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Hud" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Ted" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I probably should not write this but I lost about 10 pounds this
summer, from 164 down to 154 lbs. I could climb better than most of
the people I ride with in the beginning but noticed a big improvement
as time went on. Now every now and then someone will say "tie a rope
around that guy." I am not very strong but any weight you lose
(assuming you don't lose muscle) will be a big help.
If it is any consolation, I have to pedal down hill to keep up with
everyone...I am too light to coast fast, too much wind resistance and
not enough momentum!

Ted

Ted, I am so motivated to lose weight and become a faster rider. Hunger
pangs are gnawing at my gut as I type these words. I tell myself it's a
good feeling...means I'm losing weight. I'm eating between 1500 to 1800
calories per day. I'm going to continue riding indoors (on a fluid
trainer) through the Ohio winter months because: A. I love to ride and
B. I want to shed fat. The cycling team I mentioned is Team Rocky out of
Marion, Ohio. What a class act these guys are. They could have been
callous, rude and condescending. But they were not in the least bit. A
very friendly, easy-going lot. One of the riders was 55 years-old and in
great shape. He told me he used to be overweight and his cholesterol was
sky high. After riding and shedding some pounds, he and his doctor were
happy to discover his cholesterol dropped way down. Another Team Rocky
rider told me he used to weigh 210 lbs. Cycling brought his weight down
to it's current 165. These guys lit a fire in me to become a better
cyclist. When Spring comes I'll upgrade to a road bike. Last night I
checked a few out at the LBS and discovered I have expensive taste. I
liked the Trek Pilot and the Madone. The Pilot was stickered at $2300 and
the Madone was $2400. They also had some nice road bikes in the $700 to
$1500 range. Maybe Santa will bring me one this year.

Or you can put drop bars, STIs and narrow slicks on your 7200 hybrid and
have an inexpensive road bike. I know someone who did just that, but to
mostly tour, for centuries and club rides, obviously not race. Good luck!

That's a great idea. What are "STIs"?

"Hud" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition ®" <[email hidden]> wrote
in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Hud" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Ted" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
>I probably should not write this but I lost about 10 pounds this
> summer, from 164 down to 154 lbs. I could climb better than most of
> the people I ride with in the beginning but noticed a big improvement
> as time went on. Now every now and then someone will say "tie a rope
> around that guy." I am not very strong but any weight you lose
> (assuming you don't lose muscle) will be a big help.
> If it is any consolation, I have to pedal down hill to keep up with
> everyone...I am too light to coast fast, too much wind resistance and
> not enough momentum!
>
> Ted
>

Ted, I am so motivated to lose weight and become a faster rider. Hunger
pangs are gnawing at my gut as I type these words. I tell myself it's a
good feeling...means I'm losing weight. I'm eating between 1500 to 1800
calories per day. I'm going to continue riding indoors (on a fluid
trainer) through the Ohio winter months because: A. I love to ride and
B. I want to shed fat. The cycling team I mentioned is Team Rocky out
of Marion, Ohio. What a class act these guys are. They could have been
callous, rude and condescending. But they were not in the least bit. A
very friendly, easy-going lot. One of the riders was 55 years-old and
in great shape. He told me he used to be overweight and his cholesterol
was sky high. After riding and shedding some pounds, he and his doctor
were happy to discover his cholesterol dropped way down. Another Team
Rocky rider told me he used to weigh 210 lbs. Cycling brought his
weight down to it's current 165. These guys lit a fire in me to become a
better cyclist. When Spring comes I'll upgrade to a road bike. Last
night I checked a few out at the LBS and discovered I have expensive
taste. I liked the Trek Pilot and the Madone. The Pilot was stickered
at $2300 and the Madone was $2400. They also had some nice road bikes
in the $700 to $1500 range. Maybe Santa will bring me one this year.

Or you can put drop bars, STIs and narrow slicks on your 7200 hybrid and
have an inexpensive road bike. I know someone who did just that, but to
mostly tour, for centuries and club rides, obviously not race. Good
luck!

That's a great idea. What are "STIs"?

They are levers that incorporate both brake levers and shifters into one
unit, also called "brifters":
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/shifters.html ,
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SL609B00-Shimano+Sora+St-3300-7+7+Speed+Sti.aspx
(double)

If you are going to go that route, make sure you get the right kind, triple
(triple rings on your crank) or double. Or get a pair of inexpensive Tektro
R200a aero brake levers ($20) and barcons (bar end shifters - $60-70)

Hud said:

"Bellsouth Ijit 2.0 - Global Warming Edition ®" <[email hidden]> wrote
in messagenews:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Hud" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"Ted" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
>I probably should not write this but I lost about 10 pounds this
> summer, from 164 down to 154 lbs. I could climb better than most of
> the people I ride with in the beginning but noticed a big improvement
> as time went on. Now every now and then someone will say "tie a rope
> around that guy." I am not very strong but any weight you lose
> (assuming you don't lose muscle) will be a big help.
> If it is any consolation, I have to pedal down hill to keep up with
> everyone...I am too light to coast fast, too much wind resistance and
> not enough momentum!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Ted

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Ted, I am so motivated to lose weight and become a faster rider. Hunger
pangs are gnawing at my gut as I type these words. I tell myself it'sa
good feeling...means I'm losing weight. I'm eating between 1500 to 1800
calories per day. I'm going to continue riding indoors (on a fluid
trainer) through the Ohio winter months because: A. I love to ride and
B. I want to shed fat. The cycling team I mentioned is Team Rocky outof
Marion, Ohio. What a class act these guys are. They could have been
callous, rude and condescending. But they were not in the least bit. A
very friendly, easy-going lot. One of the riders was 55 years-old andin
great shape. He told me he used to be overweight and his cholesterol was
sky high. After riding and shedding some pounds, he and his doctor were
happy to discover his cholesterol dropped way down. Another Team Rocky
rider told me he used to weigh 210 lbs. Cycling brought his weight down
to it's current 165. These guys lit a fire in me to become a better
cyclist. When Spring comes I'll upgrade to a road bike. Last night I
checked a few out at the LBS and discovered I have expensive taste. I
liked the Trek Pilot and the Madone. The Pilot was stickered at $2300 and
the Madone was $2400. They also had some nice road bikes in the $700 to
$1500 range. Maybe Santa will bring me one this year.

Quoted message said:

Or you can put drop bars, STIs and narrow slicks on your 7200 hybrid and
have an inexpensive road bike. I know someone who did just that, but to
mostly tour, for centuries and club rides, obviously not race. Good luck!

That's a great idea. What are "STIs"?

Over-priced shifters known for a lack of reliability and loathed for
being non-repairable.

Hud said:

Ted, I am so motivated to lose weight and become a faster rider. Hunger
pangs are gnawing at my gut as I type these words. I tell myself it's a
good feeling...means I'm losing weight.

you don't have to feel hungry. eat lots of fiber! i had a hell
of a time getting below 190 lbs (i'm a 6 footer). i just cut
carbs where it was easiest, at dinner time. i limited myself to
having spuds, rice, or pasta at only 2 dinners per week, and
substituted salads for carbs the rest of the time, and cut out
bedtime cookies, too. the amount of rice or pasta went from half
a plate to a quarter of the plate, and i chose smaller potatoes
for baking.

that and continued exercise made all difference. i passed my
target weight of 175 in march, and even though injuries prevented
as much exercise this summer as last winter, i now weigh vary
between 165 and 170. and the suit that was tailored for met at
175 25 years ago now fits beautifully --- it spent 15 years
hanging in a bag in my closet.

when i go touring, though, i won't try to ride my usual 60-80
miles per day and eat the same. i know that when i do that, a
big plate of pasta will be burned up by mid-afternoon the next
day, and i'll probably need extra carbs to avoid bonking.

Dennis P. Harris said:

you don't have to feel hungry. eat lots of fiber!

If you increase your fibre intake, you need extra water to keep it hydrated
and moving along, and the water acts as a temporary appetite suppressant,
too.

If you feel really hungry, your body is probably slowing its metabolism to
cope with imminent starvation, which isn't the effect you want. That's why
dieting alone fails.

Quoted message said:

i had a hell
of a time getting below 190 lbs (i'm a 6 footer). i just cut
carbs where it was easiest, at dinner time.

That's also the best time to cut them, since you don't need the
quick energy they provide then.

Quoted message said:

that and continued exercise made all difference.

The other thing I've found which really helps is to shop for food by
bike. I do it with a backpack twice a week, and the limited space
forces me to not buy [censored] and stick to my list.