Well, featherweight may be over egging things a bit but I'm heading in the right direction.
I bought my bike (Trek MTB) 7 weeks ago today after 6 or 7 years of laziness and general inactivity (I used to be fit, honest).
My first ride (according to endomondo) was 6.02 miles (relatively flat terrain) in 40.32 mins at a blistering pace of 8.92 mph! To say I was knackered is the understatement of the decade. Still I persevered and now 7 weeks on I'm regularly doing 17 or 18 miles ( with some quite long uphill climbing) at around the 13 mph mark and not suffering too badly as a result.
I know that this is hardly an earth shattering achievement but considering I was slightly over 17 stone (5 ft 10") I've done ok. Weight wise I'm now 14 stone 8 lb, though I had lost about 11 or 12 pounds through improved diet before I got the bike. Still, my new found love for cycling has helped me shed well over a stone and a half in a relatively short space of time.
Now for the soft bit.... I probably would have carried on cycling as I'd just spent £700 on a bike and my wife would have killed me but I have to extend a huge thanks to everyone on here who has offered advice and support since I joined. You've all been an inspiration and I am truly grateful. I've asked all sorts of (probably idiotic) questions and not once has there been any snide comments, hurtful remarks or general pi*s take.
my advice to any overweight, people reading this and thinking of getting a bike (assuming you're still awake) would be to sign up to this forum and use the skill and knowledge of it's members to help you. That and don't buy expensive cycling clothing to start off with as they'll be too big for you in a few weeks.
thanks again everyone I really do appreciate your help.
Mick
I bought my bike (Trek MTB) 7 weeks ago today after 6 or 7 years of laziness and general inactivity (I used to be fit, honest).
My first ride (according to endomondo) was 6.02 miles (relatively flat terrain) in 40.32 mins at a blistering pace of 8.92 mph! To say I was knackered is the understatement of the decade. Still I persevered and now 7 weeks on I'm regularly doing 17 or 18 miles ( with some quite long uphill climbing) at around the 13 mph mark and not suffering too badly as a result.
I know that this is hardly an earth shattering achievement but considering I was slightly over 17 stone (5 ft 10") I've done ok. Weight wise I'm now 14 stone 8 lb, though I had lost about 11 or 12 pounds through improved diet before I got the bike. Still, my new found love for cycling has helped me shed well over a stone and a half in a relatively short space of time.
Now for the soft bit.... I probably would have carried on cycling as I'd just spent £700 on a bike and my wife would have killed me but I have to extend a huge thanks to everyone on here who has offered advice and support since I joined. You've all been an inspiration and I am truly grateful. I've asked all sorts of (probably idiotic) questions and not once has there been any snide comments, hurtful remarks or general pi*s take.
my advice to any overweight, people reading this and thinking of getting a bike (assuming you're still awake) would be to sign up to this forum and use the skill and knowledge of it's members to help you. That and don't buy expensive cycling clothing to start off with as they'll be too big for you in a few weeks.
thanks again everyone I really do appreciate your help.
Mick
My progress is slow but steady, (but not easier
), at the moment. 
