Courage to post!

[PhunkPilot]

So I finally worked up the courage to post something new!!

I've 'lurked' on the forum now for several months gaining a mass of useful hints and tips from lights to wheel bearings. Thank you all so much you have all been a source of constant encouragement and inspiration I would like to thank you all individually but there is so many of you!

I even foolishly dipped my toe into the cyclecraft debate! Lets not start THAT again!

Basically to cut a short story long. I'm a big guy 20 stone and 6'2 overweight unfit, diabetic and asthmatic! I took up cycling again about 2 or 3 months ago. I bought a typically awful Halfords bike, rode it alone and with friends 4 or 5 times and despite the awful bike loved the experience but realised that I needed something better to ride. I was hooked.

I seemed to find myself outside my lbs on numerous occasions. Its conveniently placed next to a nice seafront cafe about 5 miles from where i live. A good place to rest up have a cuppa and check out the shiney bikes!

I dribbled and drooled over a Cube sl cross race hybrid for several weeks. Needless to say having just got off it and having ridden it for just over 200 miles now Im very pleased with it.

I recently moved house and live a lot closer to my place of work (just over 4 miles.) I intend to ride it as often as i can but alas due to its location (its a medium secure hospital hidden in some woods!) the going gets a little agricultural at times, I have no intention of getting the Cube mucky!!

Once again i found myself out side the lbs this time looking for something rugged but not too expensive due to the time of year. The guys at Hargroves (Fareham) were excellent and i eagerly await my specialized hardrock mountain bike for my commute to work.

Anyway I've just got back from my first 'sub zero' ride only ten miles or so but ten miles more than i'd have done on my sofa.

Thanks to you all once again,

Love,Light and peace

 

[summerdays]

Wow - 3 bikes in 3 months ... who says n+1 doesn't exist

Why not put up some piccy's of them? it obviously sounds as though you are enjoying the cycling anyway.

 

[Moodyman]

Well done PhunkyPilot on both the commutes and the courage to post.

However, you're gonna have to make 'em shorter or type faster to catch up with my posting total.

 

[eldudino]

Looks like you've got the bug! I started out at 20st, though with no health issues apart from not being able to cycle the 3.5miles home from work Now I'm down to under 13st so you can do it. You've probably seen what Gaz (gb155) on here has achieved through cycling - inspirational stuff.

 

[PhunkPilot]

Thanks guys. I sure have seen plenty of inspirational stuff on here. I've just realised im only 19.5 stone due to what i've already ridden

I absolutely love cycling again. I try not to put myself under too much pressure. Hopefully i'll clock in some decent mileage in the summer. My best m8 has just moved near the new forest so hoping to get out there and explore real soon.


I'm coming for you moody man!!!!!!

 

[Panter]

Good stuff, glad to hear you're enjoying it

 

[Banjo]

Nice one phunkpilot. great to hear the weight is coming down. I was 16 stone 2 years back , not good on 5 ft 9. now down to 12 stone and feeling great.

Good idea getting a seperate bike for commuting. It will keep you best bike in good nick and also the best bike will feel terrific after your commute on an MTB.

keep us posted on your progress ,Its allways encouraging to read about other peoples success stories.

 

[carpiste]

3 bikes! I thought I`d got the bug I know exactly how you feel,I was a "lurker" for a while then thought what the hell,and joined in. It`s suprising how quickly you get to find out about things, particularly bargain hunting
I started on a cheap and cheerful mtb, got a Scott hybrid,which I love, now I also have a turbo for these really cold days and am looking forward to a roadie in the spring.
But the best thing is I`ve got a lot healthier,lost almost 2 stone in weight and getting stronger every day.
Keep it up mate.

 

[chigman]

I to was a 20st fatty just under a year ago. Cycling regular, cross training and a healthier diet has seen me down to 14st 10lb at the moment, want to get to 14st exactly if I can but it's getting harder to lose the weight now.

Good bike you got in the Cube. I have got the sl cross team and I'm always getting it dirty.

 

[gbb]

Nice one phunk...

 

[GrumpyGregry]

well done PhunkPilot, HardRock is a great value entry level MTB. Kepp th tyres pumped up hard, like as in max pressure, for your commute and let them down a bit when you go play in the woods.

When I commutted via MTB I confess I had two sets of wheels; one weekday pair slick shod (spesh Nimbus Armadillo iirc) and my Sunday best with the knoblies on

 

[PhunkPilot]

Thanks again everyone,

I'm sat at work eagarly awaiting the call to go collect the Spesh. Probably wont be able to get there til tuesday I like the sound of swapping out the wheels - Not sure the gf would go for it just yet due to my recent purchases!

Its great to be able to interact with like minded people.

I hope today is my last 14 hour shift til after christmas! (Nursing staff deserve more money!!!) Should be able to get busy on the MTB early next week.

I thought commuting on the MTB would help me along once on the Cube I'll fly!

Just down to 2 bikes now a freind was keen to have a go so i gave him my 'Halfords' I pointed out that if he got out on that and enjoyed it any other bike would seem incredible. It worked for me.

 

[lmow20]

Good post big man. 4 mile commute, with weekend top up - weight will start to fall off you like snow. You should check out some sportives for next summer, I found them to be especially fun. Spend some time with the ol trouble and strife though! hats off for your profession, teachers pay is dire too, and frozen till I die probs.

Safe riding

 

[PhunkPilot]

Ha ha. Yes teaching pay is shocking! Thanks for the tip. I've never even considered a sportive will look into it.

 

[Arch]

Ha ha. Yes teaching pay is shocking! Thanks for the tip. I've never even considered a sportive will look into it.

Don't forget Audax! (I've done both - but only a couple so far.)

Audax is a bit more self reliant - you get a routesheet, and you have to get your card stamped at checkpoints, and there will probably be some grub at the end, but you fend for yourself on the way round (but checkpoints are often at cafes).

On the other hand, it's often a few quid to enter, as opposed to £20 or more.

Someone else said, Sportives are people pretending to race, Audaxes are people pretending not to race....

Anyway, well done, and welcome to the Brotherhood! (or sisterhood, in my case)