I rode my bike

downsizinghoss · January 2013

That sounds so silly to say as if it is a big deal. To me, it is.

To give you an idea, I wrote this blog post back in August:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/downsizinghoss/view/the-bike-ride-362120

When I got up to over 500 pounds, I did nothing but sit. During that time I lost any and all flexibility that I used to have.

I bought my bike almost 2 years ago. When I went to ride it, it hurt my hips, my knees, and my pride. My gut got in the way. I couldn't lift my legs high enough to make a full revolution with the pedals. It just flat out hurt.

My 6 year old could ride a bike, but I looked like a circus bear in training.

As of last summer, I started pulling the bike out about every 2 weeks and just seeing if I could push off and make a full revolution of the pedals. It slowly got better. I was stretching more every week, but it just didn't seem to be enough.

Well, today was the tipping point. I usually go to the gym and do big burns lifting and on the elliptical machine, but I wanted to see if I could start the New Year off by mixing things up. I tried it in the back yard and made 3-4 full revolutions. I got a lump in my throat and loaded up the bike and drove to an empty soccer complex where no one could see me.

I doubt I covered more than a half a mile in short bursts around an isolated parking lot. The only thing that still hurts is my right knee. But whenever it tightened up I just stood in the pedals like I was back on my BMX bike when I was a kid.

It sounds silly to want to shout from the rooftops that I rode a bicycle, at 42 years old. But you know what? Screw it.

I RODE MY DAMN BIKE!

edit:fixed the link

Kmsnomaha · January 2013

That is awesome! Congratulations. One pedal stroke at a time........:drinker:

BrotherBill913 · January 2013

Ohhhhhh Duuuuuude I am soo proud of you!! Great job, and I rarely use the adjective "great" That is saved for true accomplishments... Keep It goin

vim_n_vigor · January 2013

Way to Go! You have made such great progress. I am so proud of you.

bearkisses · January 2013

you are a huge inspiration. keep up the good work man, you are what dreams are made of with willpower and determination, go get em!!!!!

kacarter1017 · January 2013

Awesome!! You have every right to be happy and proud!!

Contrarian · January 2013

Yes. I am proud of you, too. I like the way you approach challenges.

plynn54 · January 2013

awesome!!! I know how you feel, I got one in the summer after not riding one for 20 years because I was too embarased to ride one lol. and now queen is blasting in my head, "I like to ride my bicycle, I like to ride my bike" lol

Donnacoach · January 2013

That is absolutely AMAZING!!! I am so proud of you!!!! You have been and still are an inspiration to so many of us on here. Who's the man? You're the man!!!