x- Welcome all cyclists! -x

ddroth

I joined MFP about 15 days ago and I race bicycles for a team here in New York. I have been to Master Nationals and have 2 Bronze medals from the Empire State Games ( Olympics of the state).I have been racing for 9 years now and I'm 6'3" and I was
racing around 180lbs. I have been a food nut and health person for a long time BUT with MFP I can see much more. I'm just trying
to get to 165lb for race season which in cycling weight is everything. I train 6 days a week and have a coach out of Colorado. I do ride outside in the winter here on weekends with a fix gear bike with fenders. Helps with endurance/ weight loss. I'm working hard right now for my annual trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains for 6 days of 1,000ft of climbing per 10 miles and get in 5,000ft per day..I come back from that and start my season with Battenkill race outside of Albany. 63 miles of hard!!! If I can help anyone with training
tips or just talk about cycling I'm game...People just don't get what it is like to race the bike over 60+miles and what it takes.. I like to tell people that "you want a good burning fuel in your body not crap">>> Thanks, Dwight

broadsword7

Welcome ddroth!

jrrflr

Hi everyone! My name is Jason. I joined MFP in January while looking for a calorie counter tool. I began road cycling 2 years ago as part of a lifestyle transformation and to help me lose weight. Within a year, cycling helped me lose 121 pounds and get well below the top end of the BMI "normal" range. As most cyclists do, I put on a few pounds after the riding season ended and the weather got cooler, but I am confident those 8 pounds will go away again soon after the riding picks up.

For now, I am glad to get our and ride whenever the weather permits (which isn't very often where I live). Glad to have found this group (friend me if you would like). Happy pedaling!

broadsword7

Welcome Jason! And congrats on the lifestyle change and weight loss!

StuAblett

Welcome Jason, that is an amazing thing you have done for yourself!:drinker:

TRHuston

Hi all! Just joined MFP a few days ago. I'm super excited to have found a bike community on here. A few weeks ago, I joined a bike racing team. The guidelines are pretty relaxed, but we do have to ride in at least 6 races this season. One down so far. My husband and I have signed up for two later this summer that are 100+ miles. I know there will be some pain, but that's ok. Just wondering what any of you experienced century riders would suggest for training. The longest I've ridden is about 75 miles. I know logging miles is helpful, but I am interested in gaining speed. Please help a lady out. And Happy Trails!

StuAblett

Welcome TRHuston!!

Just wondering what any of you experienced century riders would suggest for training. The longest I've ridden is about 75 miles. I know logging miles is helpful, but I am interested in gaining speed. Please help a lady out. And Happy Trails!

Up your mileage week by week, ride by ride, you don't need to ride a full 100 miles before you do a full 100 mile race, but I'd get to say 75 miles without having any trouble before you do the full 100. Give your body a week off before the race and learn to eat, drink on the bike, the biggest problem I see with long rides for beginners is they stop too often and don't consume enough. "ABC" Always Be Consuming" is what I was taught, water is even more important as the temp climbs, if it is hot, you want to go thru a lot more water. Bike fit is also very important, if you bike don't fit your body, you will suffer, and needlessly.

How about we start a thread for just this topic?

I'll go and do that, OK?

Good to have you on board!

Cheers!

beachgrad05

Glad to have found this site and group. I am a beginner cyclist with a lot of weight to lose. It is a bit uncomfortable wearing cycling clothing considering my current state of fitness....but I like how much more comfortable and reduces my wind resistance (at least if feels that way). My goals are to lose enough weight to reward myself with a Trek Madone 3.1 (least expensive carbon frame bike). I currently cannot keep up with the one local club that rides as I am neither fit enough nor do I have a bike that can keep up. Purchased my Trek 7.2FX WSD last summer and am using it for commuting to work (tho that only recently). I plan on keeping the FX for commuting as it is great for that but as a road bike it is lacking. Are there any other women here?

StuAblett

Glad to have found this site and group. I am a beginner cyclist with a lot of weight to lose. It is a bit uncomfortable wearing cycling clothing considering my current state of fitness....but I like how much more comfortable and reduces my wind resistance (at least if feels that way). My goals are to lose enough weight to reward myself with a Trek Madone 3.1 (least expensive carbon frame bike). I currently cannot keep up with the one local club that rides as I am neither fit enough nor do I have a bike that can keep up. Purchased my Trek 7.2FX WSD last summer and am using it for commuting to work (tho that only recently). I plan on keeping the FX for commuting as it is great for that but as a road bike it is lacking. Are there any other women here?

Welcome to the group!

Yes, there are lots of women on here, and they are avid cyclist!

Cheers!

broadsword7

Welcome TRHuston and Beachgrad05!

mdstamand

Hi all, I just joined this group. I learned of it via a notification from a post one of my "MFP friends" had made. I cycled as much as possible through college until I entered the navy at age 21. I dabbled in mountain biking for a while 20 yrs ago but the pounding proved too much for my body. I hadn't ridden much if at all since then. Last year I bought a road bike (aluminum internet special) and started riding again. It was like magic. I remembered what is was like 30 yrs ago and I was happy to be back. I have some coworkers who are avid cyclists and let me ride with them. They have been great; patient and informative. This yr I purchased a new road bike from LBS (full carbon fiber and more relaxed geometry) and was able to make my maiden voyage on it yesterday. Happy to be off the trainer finally, I had a wonderful, albeit dusty ride. I have been training and losing weight since the new year. Let's hope the work pays off this year as we have formed our own little "century a month" club. I look forward to learning from and interacting with each of you.

Mike in Vt.

StuAblett

Hi all, I just joined this group. I learned of it via a notification from a post one of my "MFP friends" had made. I cycled as much as possible through college until I entered the navy at age 21. I dabbled in mountain biking for a while 20 yrs ago but the pounding proved too much for my body. I hadn't ridden much if at all since then. Last year I bought a road bike (aluminum internet special) and started riding again. It was like magic. I remembered what is was like 30 yrs ago and I was happy to be back. I have some coworkers who are avid cyclists and let me ride with them. They have been great; patient and informative. This yr I purchased a new road bike from LBS (full carbon fiber and more relaxed geometry) and was able to make my maiden voyage on it yesterday. Happy to be off the trainer finally, I had a wonderful, albeit dusty ride. I have been training and losing weight since the new year. Let's hope the work pays off this year as we have formed our own little "century a month" club. I look forward to learning from and interacting with each of you.

Mike in Vt.

Welcome Mike, I think many of us have a similar story, was an avid cyclist as a younger person, got off the bike, but have rediscovered the bike and are loving it :bigsmile:

Again, welcome!

broadsword7

Welcome to the group Mike!

cohophysh

Hi All,
My name is Brian and I have been on MFP for about 2 weeks. My goal is to lose about 95 lbs which would put me right at 200lbs. I have a Leader road bike that I built up myself and an old beater mountain bike. I have been out twice on the road bike this year because the weather in the Pacific NW has been crap. I also suscribe to bikeforums.net where you will usually find me lurking in the clydesdale section. Add me if you would like and just drop me a message that you saw my post in the bicycling section of MFP.

StuAblett

Welcome Brian!:drinker:

broadsword7

Welcome to the group Brian!

bjc101

Hi - My name is Brad. I'm a 51 yr old guy working hard to lose the 50 lbs I packed on while my wife and I were raising two great sons. We're new "empty nesters" this past fall, so I found myself with some time to dedicate to myself. I joined MFP January 2, 2011 and so far have dropped about 25 lbs. My goal is 50-60lbs total loss. With the onset of very mild weather for March in Wisconsin, USA, I've taken an early start at one of the benefits of my weight loss, which was to ride my bike for my 7 mile commute to work. Two weeks so far and it feels great!. I've also taken several rides in my off time, none more than 15 miles yet, but I'm aiming for more. It's good to be part of MFP and I'm thankful for this program.
"In our senior years, there are two ways to go through life; one is overweight, tired and eating fists full of pills, the other is being proper weight, eating healthy and Really enjoying life". I vote for really enjoying life!

broadsword7

Welcome to the group Brad!!

mtnbiker1

Hello everyone, I'm Chuck and new to MFP. I guess you could say I've been biking off and on my whole life if you go back to when I was a kid. Got more serious about it the last couple of years, especially this year. I moved to Myrtle Beach last summer and didn't realize till a couple months ago that they have some really nice mountain biking trails here. So since I discovered that I try to ride as often as I can, usually a few times a week. I ride a Gary Fisher Wahoo.

StuAblett

Welcome Brad and Chuck!

Brad, I'm in a similar boat to you, but we became empty nesters just at the end of March, sure is quite around the house now!

mtnbiker1

Thank you!

oldfieldm

Hello My name is Michelle, I live about an hour from Reno NV. I have been using MFP for over a year now and have lost 45 lbs. I have been road cycling for about 4 years and I love it. I enjoy doing centuries and I have a small cycling club in my town. I am looking for active MFP friends so please add me. I need great people to be accountable to so I can keep going on my weight loss journey.

Kupe

Hi my name is Brett, moved to Toronto, Canada a year ago from Melbourne, Australia. I have been road riding for the last 5 years but have fallen off the wagon since arriving in Canada. I miss the riding in Melbourne and have become very dispondent about riding in Toronto.

I have recently got my bike serviced however I entered the Toronto 1/2 marathon so my attempt at riding has gone out the window , also as any person who lives in the snow belts of the world will know, riding in winter is not ideal.

I intend to get on my bike and obey the Velominti rule number 5 which is HTFU.

I would like more friend who are cycle nuts so please add me.

StuAblett

Welcome oldfieldm and Kupe!!

I'm going to add you both!

Kupe, I have an Australian buddy who has just embarked on an adventure to ride his bicycle from Tokyo back to Melbourne, of course there will be some boats involved.

Anyone else that is interested Tim's Blog about the journey is here....

http://timsbiketour.wordpress.com/

He was a total noob at touring, and not very experienced at cycling either, but he has stepped up big time, very inspiring!

I helped him convert his Cannondale BadBoy city bike into a full on touring machine.

Cheers!

loki3981

Hi all!
My name is Meg and I'm a 31 just graduating nurse and have fallen in love with cycling. I am currently borrowing my mother's Specialist Globe Caramel Lowstep which is a great hybrid and have adore it, but of course they don't make it anymore. I'm on the hunt for my own bike (suggestions under $500 welcome!). I'm only averaging about 6.5 - 7 miles a ride 3-4 times a week on a greenway system near where I live. I'm too nervous to road bike with the crazy drivers in my area until I get more comfortable on the bike.
I love the burn and freedom I've found with cycling and hope that this become a passion.

ciarq

Hi I started the "Official MFP bike group". I finally got here! Yay for the group!

Hi to all - I'm a sometime - not high level but rode in the 20-30 mile range regularly when I was younger - cyclist working to overcome my latest annoying injury (broken toe).

I'm looking for some support to keep on with fitness & small weight loss goal to help me keep little setbacks from becoming bigger ones.

Completing a century ride is a someday goal too. For now I'm just looking at next week's 5 mile downtown LA pre-ride for stage 8 of Tour of California!

dtpss188

Hello,

I am fairly new to MFP and it has been the final link which has helped me to drop weight. I use it every day and actually look forward to entering my food and exercise. I lift weights and bike and both are activities I love. My nutritional principles are based on the South Beach Diet principles with my own twists.

I am even newer to the cycling group. I have been riding a bike since being a kid. We started with Raleigh Chopper 3 speeds, went to Fuji 10 speeds, and then ended up on mountain bikes. Unfortunately, I have had some years where I all but dropped the activity entirely. This year I started riding in February (near Syracuse, NY) because we had little snow and warm temps. I am glad to say I'm hooked - again. Off came the knobbies and on went the slicks on my GT mountain bike. I'm now riding around 80 - 100 miles weekly and love every minute. At this time some of my aspirations are to continue to lose the weight, look into a sprint triathalon, check out the local cycling club, move to a road bike, and get more of my friends and family riding. My wife and sons are great supporters. They encourage me to ride and they are happy for my weight loss, health, energy, vitality, and enthusiasm.

Possibly the greatest thing about biking is just how much fun it is. I feel a great rush tackling hill climbs, getting my speed up and consistent on long flats, and of course bombing down the hills can be a blast.

Recently, some very helpful and knowledgable folks have been helping me with my queries about frame types which is a big part of my quest for a road bike. Many thanks to them.

midschool22

Hi all. Aaron here from Illinois. I have been riding bikes pretty much all my life. Mostly bmx and road bikes. Last fall I entered my first cyclocross race and fell in love with that crazy sport. That is now my main focus of riding.

Frannybobs

It's nice to see there are cyclists at all levels in this group - so glad I found you all!!

My name is Fran, I'm 34 and live in Manchester, England.

I got back into cycling perhaps 18 months ago. Decided that the bike I'd taken from my parents' house to my house when I moved out in 2007 and hadn't used since, needed a bit of a dusting off. I decided to see what it would be like for a commute, getting back to cycling on the roads was a bit scary, but I soon gained a little confidence. My bike was an entry-level hybrid bike, nearer to a mountain bike. I signed up for the Manchester to Blackpool bike ride (60 miles) to be done in July 2011 and so started cycling to work more often and riding 30 miles or so at weekends.

My work then introduced a "Cycle to Work" scheme in conjunction with the Government "Cyclescheme" initiative, where you buy a bike and then pay for it each month out of your salary for 12 months, but before tax and National Insurance, giving a significant saving. I got some advice from a sporty colleague who does triathlons and the like and I got a Specialized Vita Elite hybrid bike, which I absolutely love.

Last week I rode in the first ever "Great Manchester Cycle". It was a brilliant event where they closed some very busy roads in the City Centre and we bikes took over the roads (it was a bank holiday so not on a busy commute day!!!). It was a 13 mile circuit and you could do 13, 26 or 52 miles. But because of the time constraints with major roads being closed, then you had to be able to average 18mph on the flat to do the 52 miles. So I opted for the 26 mile option instead. It was fantastic and I got a PB, averaging nearly 15mph so I was really pleased. Clearly this isn't super speedy, but I love that I can see improvements and enjoy the freedom of being out on my bike

Only problem with my hybrid is that I chose a light one with rigid forks and thinner tyres so it's very unforgiving over bumps and is no good at all "off-road". So I'm thinking with this year's Cyclescheme I might get a lower end MTB just to take off into the woods on a weekend and bomb around and have some fun? I've looked at a couple today in Evans Cycles, a Specialized and a Trek. Looking around £300-£400 mark max. Any recommendations gratefully received!

I am looking around for another event to enter as it really focuses the training and I love the buzz running up to it, on the day and of course, afterwards! I have seen there is a Manchester 100 - you can do 100 miles or 100 km, it's around Cheshire but that's pretty hilly. Perhaps the challenge would be good....!

Anyway, sorry, that was supposed to be a quick introduction!!!

Cheers,
Fran

bikechic61

I just started using my fitness pal 2 weeks ago. About 4 years ago I lost 20 pounds and I find myself letting some of it creep back on. When the calendar said the big "50" and laughed at me that's when the problem started. So here I am. I have been a cyclist for 6 years and have done 12 century rides and a few smaller organized rides. My crazy husband thinks we can be mountain bike riders and we have done one race. I am not completely comfortable with mountain bike racing but I don't want to be left behind.:embarassed: My main reason for biking is that I missed the road. I used to be a runner but that is too painful now. Biking also fulfills that wanderlust and is a good excuse to go outside.