Another Big Guy on a Bike

I came across this while reading some cycling blogs. I don't endorse
everything Mr. Stormcrowe writes, but his story is interesting.

http://theamazingshrinkingman.spaces...owe&blogcs=end

The Historian wrote:
> I came across this while reading some cycling blogs. I don't endorse
> everything Mr. Stormcrowe writes, but his story is interesting.
>
> http://theamazingshrinkingman.spaces...owe&blogcs=end

I hadn't seen his blog but he posts on the Bike Forums. I didn't
realize he had lost so much weight.

Beverly wrote:
> The Historian wrote:
> > I came across this while reading some cycling blogs. I don't endorse
> > everything Mr. Stormcrowe writes, but his story is interesting.
> >
> > http://theamazingshrinkingman.spaces...owe&blogcs=end
>
> I hadn't seen his blog but he posts on the Bike Forums. I didn't
> realize he had lost so much weight.

He did have bariatric surgery, but he's followed up with a lot of
exercise, something that the patient doesn't always do.

The Historian wrote:
> Beverly wrote:
> > The Historian wrote:
> > > I came across this while reading some cycling blogs. I don't endorse
> > > everything Mr. Stormcrowe writes, but his story is interesting.
> > >
> > > http://theamazingshrinkingman.spaces...owe&blogcs=end
> >
> > I hadn't seen his blog but he posts on the Bike Forums. I didn't
> > realize he had lost so much weight.
>
> He did have bariatric surgery, but he's followed up with a lot of
> exercise, something that the patient doesn't always do.

I see you are talking about me! Yep, exercise is still a key, even
after bariatric surgery, actually, especially after! It helps the
healing process and helps you actually burn the fat instead of lean
muscle mass. It also helps you avoid post-surgical pneumonia.

Actually, to be clear, I don't endorse bariatric surgery as a primary
weapon. I believe if you can lose the weight without it, then that's
optimal. I used the tool because I was near dying and really wasn't
risking all that much because I was circling the drain. The primary
message I am trying to communicate is that it IS possible to turn
things around. A lot of obese individuals have developed a feeling of
learned helplessness with their weight issue. I am currently using the
ideas of a behavioral psychologist named Lev Vygotsky to provide a
platform of support and scaffolding as well as a form of vicarious
motivation to assist anyone with these issues.

tomlnrd@msn.com wrote:
> The Historian wrote:
> > Beverly wrote:
> > > The Historian wrote:
> > > > I came across this while reading some cycling blogs. I don't endorse
> > > > everything Mr. Stormcrowe writes, but his story is interesting.
> > > >
> > > > http://theamazingshrinkingman.spaces...owe&blogcs=end
> > >
> > > I hadn't seen his blog but he posts on the Bike Forums. I didn't
> > > realize he had lost so much weight.
> >
> > He did have bariatric surgery, but he's followed up with a lot of
> > exercise, something that the patient doesn't always do.
>
> I see you are talking about me!

There's no escaping the eyes of Team Stormcrowe, is there?

Yep, exercise is still a key, even
> after bariatric surgery, actually, especially after! It helps the
> healing process and helps you actually burn the fat instead of lean
> muscle mass. It also helps you avoid post-surgical pneumonia.
>
> Actually, to be clear, I don't endorse bariatric surgery as a primary
> weapon. I believe if you can lose the weight without it, then that's
> optimal.

Agreed.

I used the tool because I was near dying and really wasn't
> risking all that much because I was circling the drain. The primary
> message I am trying to communicate is that it IS possible to turn
> things around. A lot of obese individuals have developed a feeling of
> learned helplessness with their weight issue.

I plead guilty. I thought I was condemned to my fat prison, never
realizing I had the key in my grasp.

I am currently using the
> ideas of a behavioral psychologist named Lev Vygotsky to provide a
> platform of support and scaffolding as well as a form of vicarious
> motivation to assist anyone with these issues.

May you have tremendous success with it, Tom. And continue to have
personal success as well.

Neil
385/273/200

When riding with a group, I can always tell how heavy I am compared to
someone else. The heaviest guy goes down the hill fastest!

ricardo@canarylabs.com

"The Historian" <Spamscone@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1168267847.174234.57910@q40g2000cwq.googlegro ups.com...
>I came across this while reading some cycling blogs. I don't endorse
> everything Mr. Stormcrowe writes, but his story is interesting.
>
> http://theamazingshrinkingman.spaces...owe&blogcs=end
>

<ricardo@canarylabs.com> wrote in message
news:c3dph.8574$pQ3.1651@newsread4.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
> When riding with a group, I can always tell how heavy I am compared to
> someone else. The heaviest guy goes down the hill fastest!
>
> ricardo@canarylabs.com
>
> "The Historian" <Spamscone@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:1168267847.174234.57910@q40g2000cwq.googlegro ups.com...
>>I came across this while reading some cycling blogs. I don't endorse
>> everything Mr. Stormcrowe writes, but his story is interesting.
>>
>> http://theamazingshrinkingman.spaces...owe&blogcs=end
>>
>
>

Neil's recent daring entry to the world of modern bicycle riding had caught
my attention. Today I visited a local dealer and came home with a Trek
7500. It's called a "hybrid" (whatever that means). I have to admit,
bicycles have come a long way since the first narrow tired, 3 speed
"English" that I rode almost a half century ago.

Took it for a short ride ... about a mile and a half. It's very smooth,
stable and easy shifting. I was surprised that even after nearly 3 months
of daily workouts on both a treadmill and an elliptical, I noticed the old
leg muscles were feeling the effects of the short bike ride. So far, I am
impressed with it. Hopefully our unusually warm winter weather will
continue and I can add some bike riding to the exercise routine.

RCE

260/215/185

RCE wrote:
> <ricardo@canarylabs.com> wrote in message
> news:c3dph.8574$pQ3.1651@newsread4.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
>> When riding with a group, I can always tell how heavy I am compared to
>> someone else. The heaviest guy goes down the hill fastest!
>>
>> ricardo@canarylabs.com
>>
>> "The Historian" <Spamscone@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:1168267847.174234.57910@q40g2000cwq.googlegro ups.com...
>>> I came across this while reading some cycling blogs. I don't endorse
>>> everything Mr. Stormcrowe writes, but his story is interesting.
>>>
>>>
http://theamazingshrinkingman.spaces...owe&blogcs=end
>>>
>>
>>
>
> Neil's recent daring entry to the world of modern bicycle riding had
caught
> my attention. Today I visited a local dealer and came home with a Trek
> 7500. It's called a "hybrid" (whatever that means). I have to admit,
> bicycles have come a long way since the first narrow tired, 3 speed
> "English" that I rode almost a half century ago.
>
> Took it for a short ride ... about a mile and a half. It's very smooth,
> stable and easy shifting. I was surprised that even after nearly 3
months
> of daily workouts on both a treadmill and an elliptical, I noticed the old
> leg muscles were feeling the effects of the short bike ride. So far, I am
> impressed with it. Hopefully our unusually warm winter weather will
> continue and I can add some bike riding to the exercise routine.
>
> RCE

Another biker - and another Trek owner! I've always thought of a hybrid as
something between a mountain bike and a road bike.

I've always owned a bike but just got back into some serious riding a few
years ago. It's a great exercise.

Beverly - owner of two Treks and I love both of them.......

"Beverly" <bowens@home.woh.rr.com> wrote in message
news:45a599eb$0$7655$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>
>
> RCE wrote:
>> <ricardo@canarylabs.com> wrote in message
>> news:c3dph.8574$pQ3.1651@newsread4.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
>>> When riding with a group, I can always tell how heavy I am compared
>>> to
>>> someone else. The heaviest guy goes down the hill fastest!
>>>
>>> ricardo@canarylabs.com
>>>
>>> "The Historian" <Spamscone@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:1168267847.174234.57910@q40g2000cwq.googlegro ups.com...
>>>> I came across this while reading some cycling blogs. I don't endorse
>>>> everything Mr. Stormcrowe writes, but his story is interesting.
>>>>
>>>>
> http://theamazingshrinkingman.spaces...owe&blogcs=end
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Neil's recent daring entry to the world of modern bicycle riding had
> caught
>> my attention. Today I visited a local dealer and came home with a
>> Trek
>> 7500. It's called a "hybrid" (whatever that means). I have to
>> admit,
>> bicycles have come a long way since the first narrow tired, 3 speed
>> "English" that I rode almost a half century ago.
>>
>> Took it for a short ride ... about a mile and a half. It's very
>> smooth,
>> stable and easy shifting. I was surprised that even after nearly 3
> months
>> of daily workouts on both a treadmill and an elliptical, I noticed the
>> old
>> leg muscles were feeling the effects of the short bike ride. So far,
>> I am
>> impressed with it. Hopefully our unusually warm winter weather will
>> continue and I can add some bike riding to the exercise routine.
>>
>> RCE
>
> Another biker - and another Trek owner! I've always thought of a
> hybrid as
> something between a mountain bike and a road bike.
>
> I've always owned a bike but just got back into some serious riding a
> few
> years ago. It's a great exercise.
>
> Beverly - owner of two Treks and I love both of them.......
>
yep, you sit upright more or less like on a MB, but it has skinnier tires
and maybe different gears more like a road bike.
>
>
>

RCE wrote:
>
> Neil's recent daring entry to the world of modern bicycle riding had caught
> my attention.

"Daring entry" is so much nicer than "middle aged foolishness", the
term I use.

Today I visited a local dealer and came home with a Trek
> 7500. It's called a "hybrid" (whatever that means). I have to admit,
> bicycles have come a long way since the first narrow tired, 3 speed
> "English" that I rode almost a half century ago.
>
> Took it for a short ride ... about a mile and a half. It's very smooth,
> stable and easy shifting. I was surprised that even after nearly 3 months
> of daily workouts on both a treadmill and an elliptical, I noticed the old
> leg muscles were feeling the effects of the short bike ride.

I had exactly the same feeling during my initial spin class today.

So far, I am
> impressed with it. Hopefully our unusually warm winter weather will
> continue and I can add some bike riding to the exercise routine.

Ditto. Good luck with it.

Del Cecchi wrote:
> "Beverly" <bowens@home.woh.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:45a599eb$0$7655$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> >
> >
> > RCE wrote:
> >> <ricardo@canarylabs.com> wrote in message
> >> news:c3dph.8574$pQ3.1651@newsread4.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
> >>> When riding with a group, I can always tell how heavy I am compared
> >>> to
> >>> someone else. The heaviest guy goes down the hill fastest!
> >>>
> >>> ricardo@canarylabs.com
> >>>
> >>> "The Historian" <Spamscone@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >>> news:1168267847.174234.57910@q40g2000cwq.googlegro ups.com...
> >>>> I came across this while reading some cycling blogs. I don't endorse
> >>>> everything Mr. Stormcrowe writes, but his story is interesting.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> > http://theamazingshrinkingman.spaces...owe&blogcs=end
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >> Neil's recent daring entry to the world of modern bicycle riding had
> > caught
> >> my attention. Today I visited a local dealer and came home with a
> >> Trek
> >> 7500. It's called a "hybrid" (whatever that means). I have to
> >> admit,
> >> bicycles have come a long way since the first narrow tired, 3 speed
> >> "English" that I rode almost a half century ago.
> >>
> >> Took it for a short ride ... about a mile and a half. It's very
> >> smooth,
> >> stable and easy shifting. I was surprised that even after nearly 3
> > months
> >> of daily workouts on both a treadmill and an elliptical, I noticed the
> >> old
> >> leg muscles were feeling the effects of the short bike ride. So far,
> >> I am
> >> impressed with it. Hopefully our unusually warm winter weather will
> >> continue and I can add some bike riding to the exercise routine.
> >>
> >> RCE
> >
> > Another biker - and another Trek owner! I've always thought of a
> > hybrid as
> > something between a mountain bike and a road bike.
> >
> > I've always owned a bike but just got back into some serious riding a
> > few
> > years ago. It's a great exercise.
> >
> > Beverly - owner of two Treks and I love both of them.......
> >
> yep, you sit upright more or less like on a MB, but it has skinnier tires
> and maybe different gears more like a road bike.
> >
> >
The biggest learning curve I encountered when I switched from a hybrid
to a road bike was the brakes and shifters. On the hybrid the brakes
and shifters are usually on the bar ends of flat handlebars. On most
road bike the brakes and shifters are worked by levers on the front of
the drop style handlebars.

"Beverly" <Beverly.Owens@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1168520407.981931.78840@k58g2000hse.googlegro ups.com...

> The biggest learning curve I encountered when I switched from a hybrid
> to a road bike was the brakes and shifters. On the hybrid the brakes
> and shifters are usually on the bar ends of flat handlebars. On most
> road bike the brakes and shifters are worked by levers on the front of
> the drop style handlebars.
>

Having never owned a "modern" multi-geared bicycle, it is taking me a while
to understand the shifting system. I am used to single levers that you move
up or down. The Trek has two levers on each handlebar ... one makes it
shift in one direction, the other was called a "return" lever ... makes it
go in the opposite direction. If I recall, there is a total of 27 gear
combinations ... three sprockets on the front and nine on the rear axle. I
doubt I'll ever need that many.

If it warms up today, I'll take it for a spin.

RCE

260/214/185

"RCE" <rce@nowhere.com> writes:

> If I recall, there is a total of 27 gear combinations ... three
> sprockets on the front and nine on the rear axle. I doubt I'll ever
> need that many.

There are several combinations you shouldn't use anyway. You want to
avoid crossing the chain from the big front to the big rear sprockets,
and ditto for the small ones. It creates wear, and the ratio is usually
duplicated for practical purposes elsewhere in the gears.

--
Keith Willoughby http://flat222.org/keith/
Nid wy'n gofyn bywyd moethus

RCE wrote:
> "Beverly" <Beverly.Owens@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1168520407.981931.78840@k58g2000hse.googlegro ups.com...
>
> > The biggest learning curve I encountered when I switched from a hybrid
> > to a road bike was the brakes and shifters. On the hybrid the brakes
> > and shifters are usually on the bar ends of flat handlebars. On most
> > road bike the brakes and shifters are worked by levers on the front of
> > the drop style handlebars.
> >
>
> Having never owned a "modern" multi-geared bicycle, it is taking me a while
> to understand the shifting system. I am used to single levers that you move
> up or down. The Trek has two levers on each handlebar ... one makes it
> shift in one direction, the other was called a "return" lever ... makes it
> go in the opposite direction. If I recall, there is a total of 27 gear
> combinations ... three sprockets on the front and nine on the rear axle. I
> doubt I'll ever need that many.
>
> If it warms up today, I'll take it for a spin.
>
> RCE
>
> 260/214/185

My older bike has the 27 gear combination but the new one has a 30 gear
combination - 3 front and 10 back. I didn't use all the 27 don't know
why I would need 30

Beverly
177/142/~140 since 1996

"RCE" <rce@nowhere.com> writes:

> Having never owned a "modern" multi-geared bicycle, it is taking me a while
> to understand the shifting system. I am used to single levers that you move
> up or down. The Trek has two levers on each handlebar ... one makes it
> shift in one direction, the other was called a "return" lever ...

Well, usually the arrangement is such that the upper lever shifts up
and lower shifts down. Fairly easy to remember after a while.