PlymSlimCyclist
Veteran
- Location
- Liverpool, UK
Taking a leaf from @gb155, here is a picture that a friend put together for me.
From left to right, four years ago (at my housewarming party), I was wearing 7XL clothing, original weight unknown, but approximately 35 stone plus.
Shortly after the haircut, I had an accident, leaving me with arthritis in both feet, a knackered shoulder and scar down my right forearm. The arthritis has affected my walking, as I'm now unable to walk more than half a mile, so bought a secondhand Apollo FS26 (aka The Tank), and returned to the saddle (27th June 2012).
Less than a year later, I bought my new baby, a Merida Matts 20-MD, on 27th April 2013.
It died on 17th January 2014, 9 months old and 1125 miles ridden, having seen London, Ilfracombe to Okehampton in a Coast2Coast attempt (Ilfracombe to Plymouth), the Camel Trail (Wadebridge to Padstow) and due to help me train and ride 60 miles for BikeBath 2014.
So, 20th of February 2014, my boss steps forward, helps support me while waiting for the insurance to pay out and gets me riding again. The Merida Matts 40-D is born...
In just 1 month, the 40 has already seen me hit the 2000 miles-milestone (18/03/14), a figure I never expected to see when I started in 2012.
So far this month, I've ridden 156 miles, and have more miles to ride, due to needing to train for the BikeBath event.
So, I'd like to say to everyone, it can be done, get a bike, get on it, and ride for all you're worth.
I love nothing more than being back on my bike, and the things I'm looking forward to; buying a cyclocross bike to try an Audax, riding the Trans Pennine trail, BikeBath 2014 and anything else that I decide to sign up to.
As a final point, when I returned to the saddle in 2012, I wore £8 Matalan jogging bottoms, a £6 t-shirt from eBay and £30 trainers, nothing extravagant, but did the trick.
In 2014, I'm still riding in joggers, but have some cycling jerseys, I buy the odd few bits to see me through, and that's all that matters. Work to your budget, set some goals, and you'll be off. Enjoy the ride!
01/10/2014 onwards.
Ok, so to update everyone...
On the 20th Sept, I saw a Consultant plastic surgeon (private), who after telling him what I've done, and what I want to do, he has agreed to help me get to my next step.
I spent a lovely holiday in Malaga making the decision of having an Apronectomy, and have come to the conclusion that I need to have it, and if I continue on the path I'm on, it'll only look gradually worse.
So, hoping that between now and this October 2015, I can save enough to reduce the financial impact of the surgery, plus continue losing more weight.
The reason for this, isn't as a cop out, but to remove the excess skin which is already there, which'll help with various aspects, from saving me carrying the dead weight, to buying bigger clothes than I should be wearing, not to mention all the psychological bits to go with it.
On top of this, I have now become the proud owner of a Genesis Croix de Fer 2014 model, so I am now event ready, and can't wait till the new season begins, but more importantly, to take actual ownership (she's in my LBS being kitted out how I want, and will be with them until the end of the month when I can sort out room in the house for her too) and start putting in the miles.
Also, I know people are curious, so here's a photo of me (and my partner) while abroad.
...and my new ride.
As things progress, I'll post up again, and I would like to say, thank you to everyone's comments, it's been a long journey, and one I've not regretted starting, but the support from you all has been amazing.
09/10/14 Edit
Thought I'd share a recent pic with you guys, a little better than the last one, but stupidly have my hands in my pockets. Will get another and replace this soon.
From left to right, four years ago (at my housewarming party), I was wearing 7XL clothing, original weight unknown, but approximately 35 stone plus.
Shortly after the haircut, I had an accident, leaving me with arthritis in both feet, a knackered shoulder and scar down my right forearm. The arthritis has affected my walking, as I'm now unable to walk more than half a mile, so bought a secondhand Apollo FS26 (aka The Tank), and returned to the saddle (27th June 2012).
Less than a year later, I bought my new baby, a Merida Matts 20-MD, on 27th April 2013.
It died on 17th January 2014, 9 months old and 1125 miles ridden, having seen London, Ilfracombe to Okehampton in a Coast2Coast attempt (Ilfracombe to Plymouth), the Camel Trail (Wadebridge to Padstow) and due to help me train and ride 60 miles for BikeBath 2014.
So, 20th of February 2014, my boss steps forward, helps support me while waiting for the insurance to pay out and gets me riding again. The Merida Matts 40-D is born...
In just 1 month, the 40 has already seen me hit the 2000 miles-milestone (18/03/14), a figure I never expected to see when I started in 2012.
So far this month, I've ridden 156 miles, and have more miles to ride, due to needing to train for the BikeBath event.
So, I'd like to say to everyone, it can be done, get a bike, get on it, and ride for all you're worth.
I love nothing more than being back on my bike, and the things I'm looking forward to; buying a cyclocross bike to try an Audax, riding the Trans Pennine trail, BikeBath 2014 and anything else that I decide to sign up to.
As a final point, when I returned to the saddle in 2012, I wore £8 Matalan jogging bottoms, a £6 t-shirt from eBay and £30 trainers, nothing extravagant, but did the trick.
In 2014, I'm still riding in joggers, but have some cycling jerseys, I buy the odd few bits to see me through, and that's all that matters. Work to your budget, set some goals, and you'll be off. Enjoy the ride!
01/10/2014 onwards.
Ok, so to update everyone...
On the 20th Sept, I saw a Consultant plastic surgeon (private), who after telling him what I've done, and what I want to do, he has agreed to help me get to my next step.
I spent a lovely holiday in Malaga making the decision of having an Apronectomy, and have come to the conclusion that I need to have it, and if I continue on the path I'm on, it'll only look gradually worse.
So, hoping that between now and this October 2015, I can save enough to reduce the financial impact of the surgery, plus continue losing more weight.
The reason for this, isn't as a cop out, but to remove the excess skin which is already there, which'll help with various aspects, from saving me carrying the dead weight, to buying bigger clothes than I should be wearing, not to mention all the psychological bits to go with it.
On top of this, I have now become the proud owner of a Genesis Croix de Fer 2014 model, so I am now event ready, and can't wait till the new season begins, but more importantly, to take actual ownership (she's in my LBS being kitted out how I want, and will be with them until the end of the month when I can sort out room in the house for her too) and start putting in the miles.
Also, I know people are curious, so here's a photo of me (and my partner) while abroad.
...and my new ride.
As things progress, I'll post up again, and I would like to say, thank you to everyone's comments, it's been a long journey, and one I've not regretted starting, but the support from you all has been amazing.
09/10/14 Edit
Thought I'd share a recent pic with you guys, a little better than the last one, but stupidly have my hands in my pockets. Will get another and replace this soon.
Last edited:
You must feel great! Long may it continue
