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Be gentle with me….

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  • November 5, 2013 at 11:48 pm #20166
    JudgeDreddful

    Hello all,

    I am a 40 something (well, 48) year old bloke with no real previous cycling experience other than childhood cycling and have decided to dip my toe into road cycling for health and fun reasons and have a couple of questions for you good folk.

    My questions are;

    Should I? I’m slightly – but not morbidly/dangerously – overweight and want to lose some weight. I reckon I need to lose at least a stone, and could probably do with losing 2 (if you listen to my wife) Is cycling a good way of losing weight? Is it a good trade off of time v health gain/weight loss? I have a car/desk based job so commuting go work is not an option. I would be able to ride evenings and weekends, and would consider a turbo trainer thingy for winter week time training, if they are to be recommended.

    Bike-wise, I have read the reviews online here and elsewhere and done a little homework. I am very much in the ‘beginner’ bracket and the Triban and TDF look like the best bets for someone like me. Not least of which because I will have a much better chance of getting a £300 bike past She Who Must Be Obeyed than a £500 bike. Not having a Decathlon near me I am more drawn to the TDF seeing as there are Halfords everywhere and if something should go wrong with it I would rather take it 3 or 4 miles across town to be sorted than 50 miles up the M5 to the nearest Decathlon. Is that sensible or is the Triban better than the TDF and worth the risk?

    All answers and advice greatly appreciated!

    Cheers,
    JD

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  • November 7, 2013 at 4:29 pm #762339
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    Colin Peyresourde

    Not sure what size feet you
    Not sure what size feet you are, but these are a bargain:

    http://road.cc/content/classified/97597-nike-poggio#comment-208199

    See other listed products.

    November 7, 2013 at 11:07 am #762337
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    step-hent

    +1 to the suggestions on a
    +1 to the suggestions on a second hand bike being better value, but only if you can get someone who knows what they are looking at to give it a once over. There are some bargains to be had, but also some turkeys. A friend or colleague with a little knowledge will help you sort one from the other.

    Other than that, just get on the bike and start riding. You’ll quickly decide whether you like it, and what would make you like it more, including what kit you need e.g. whether you’ll ride in the wet (and need a rain jacket) or just stay at home on those days, whether you’ll want a cycle computer to clock your miles or just go out and enjoy the ride. Remember that you’re doing it for fun, don’t be a slave to the weight loss/miles covered and, if you enjoy it, you’ll quickly ride enough to get a lot fitter (and probably thinner too). Crucially, your heart and lungs will thank you for it, and so will your energy levels. Enjoy it!

    November 7, 2013 at 12:21 am #762335
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    Colin Peyresourde

    The answer is yes.
    But there
    The answer is yes.

    But there are lots of caveats. Cycling requires a heavy time commitment. Other fitness regimes do too. But comparatively people who run will do so for 1/2 hour or so, same with swimming. Whereas cycling we are talking regular bouts over an hour upto six or more…..

    ….but that is also the upside. Cycling can be done for such a long time because it is low impact on the joints. Running is much damaging and it takes time to build up the necessary strength in your ligaments and tendons – it is pretty easy to get injured do too much too soon.

    Plus if you have been fairly sedentary then you may take time to unwind your body (sitting for most of the day causes you to tilt your pelvis which leads to back problems which aren’t helped by running). Whatever you end up doing I would advise that you get a good flexibility regime going so that you benefit from your endeavour.

    If you are looking to shift weight quickly cycling can help (9 hours in the saddle and you can be burning 11,000 calories), but I would also recommend HIT workouts or weight training. Building muscle with weights has a high calorific demand and can help move the weight. You can do this in combination with cycling, which can help build the strength in the legs (though again make sure you are flexible enough to undertake the exercise).

    I would recommend a turbo trainer, but I’ve never suffered from a lack of motivation to exercise. They are great for doing planned specific workouts, but you do get bloody hot so a circulator fan is a must.

    Cycling is also expensive. Beyond the bike you’ll be wanting to get a chamois and cycling top. Not to mention pedals, shoes and other things. You can build all of this up slowly over time, but I would always recommend going for the good stuff. You may regret getting a top which does not keep out the wind/rain or keeps you too hot in summer. But you don’t regret the top that does. Always do your homework before a purchase too.

    I don’t know anything about the bikes you are thinking of, but if you are intending on taking it seriously carbon is the way forward. If you are dipping a toe then it doesn’t really matter.

    November 6, 2013 at 11:06 pm #762333
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    dunnoh

    I was exactly in the same
    I was exactly in the same boat last year ish. Do bike to work scheme if you can. Best advice is to just ride. I have a hybrid and a road bike and I hate the hybrid now. With the road bike you just go quicker and its easier. Change the tyres on whatever bike you get, they are normally poor in winter conditions. It will save you hurting yourself and its plain false economy. Get some cheap kit as you will soon lose weight and you will replace it with better kit – we all do. In fact my clothes and shoes probably cost more than the bike. Wiggle DHB stuff is great to start out. And don’t care how stupid you feel you look – people will just see you as a cyclist. Don’t worry about losing weight, it just happens slowly. I think I’ve dropped 3 stones and I eat like a horse. Winters a great time to start I found as you don’t die of heat exhaustion and people nod as you pass

    November 6, 2013 at 9:56 pm #762331
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    Steveal

    Welcome! You won’t look
    Welcome! You won’t look back… Well apart from for the road awareness of course. All the above is good advice. Also, don’t overlook your LBS… They may not sell a bike to price match Halfords or Decathlon, but they may well do a decent entry level bike from the many, many brands out there. Also, did I read that right… you have a desk based job so you can’t commute? Don’t rule it out either. You’d be suprised how quickly you get into the swing of it and reap the benefits even if its just five miles each way. Good luck.

    November 6, 2013 at 8:16 pm #762329
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    edd23

    Go for it, but be warned it
    Go for it, but be warned it is incredibly addictive 😀

    I’m 46 with no history of cycling; I bought a cheap aluminium road bike (Trek 1.2) in June of this year. Where I live is hilly and when I started I was exhausted after 20km, I now regularly do 80km plus at a good speed/cadence. Since late June I have now cycled over 3,000km and have lost nearly 3 stone (13st when I started and now just over 10st).

    Don’t underestimate the cost of all the gear, you will need a pump, bottle & cage, some tools, padded shorts, waterproofs etc. Also I graduated to clip less pedals fairly quickly so add those to the list plus shoes.

    My advice don’t go crazy on the bike, keep it cheap and simple, use some of the budget on kit and enjoy it!

    The Trek is now going to be the winter bike and I have my eyes on a ‘proper’ road bike for the summer… B-)

    November 6, 2013 at 5:26 pm #762327
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    Kapelmuur

    I bought a Carrera TdF 2
    I bought a Carrera TdF 2 years ago, I was then 64 and had not cycled more than a mile at a time for at least 10 years.
    Contrary to the experiences of others with Halfords nothing on the bike has worked loose or fallen off, it now has mudguards and is my wet weather ride so is used more than my other bikes.
    I started gently (10 miles in an hour – slower than I used to run the distance) and have worked up to being able to cover 50/60 miles comfortably. I find cycling much easier than running, but I was a competitive runner while I’m content to ‘pootle’ on the bike.
    Even though I ride gently I’ve lost 2 stones without modifying my diet.
    I have rollers but find using then very boring, there’s actually not much weather that’s too bad to get out and ride in – although that’s easier for me as I’m retired and can pick and choose when I go out.
    I bought the bike because I like physical exercise and wanted to loose some weight, injuries had stopped me running. However, I’ve found that I enjoy it much more than I thought I would and wish I’d started younger.

    November 6, 2013 at 12:56 pm #762325
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    Gkam84

    I am surprised no-one has
    I am surprised no-one has linked you to one of our bloggers.

    Sam Shaw
    road.cc/content/blog/47567-126kg-cat-4-racer-what-does-cat-4-mean

    http://road.cc/content/blog/73139-not-another-january-weightloss-blog-oh-wait-yes-it

    From fat man to fast man (ish) 👿

    November 6, 2013 at 12:21 pm #762323
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    mooleur

    Do it.
    My blog is about
    Do it.

    My blog is about exactly this, I went from a (albeit) uk ladies size 16 to size 8 in a year without dieting, all because of riding a bike.

    Facebook has some good UK groups for bike sales, you could probably pick up a decent aluminium for ~500 – I sold my 2012 ridgeback radium for 300 so you could certainly pick up something ride-able.

    Also age is not a factor (just in case anyone or anything tries to put doubts in your mind). I get my ass kicked regularly by 70+yo guys in races, it’s ace, and humbling.

    Do it do it do it. JOIN USSSS.

    November 6, 2013 at 11:40 am #762321
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    Gman59c

    Go for it!!! I got back into
    Go for it!!! I got back into cycling just over two years ago. I had just given up smoking and was putting on weight because of it. I have now lost lost three stone and feel better than at any time since I was a teenager (I’m 42).

    Once you have built some fitness and are able to get out on some longer rides out in the countryside you will love. It has enhanced my life on so many different levels. My wife has now taken up cycling and loves it too.

    If your budget is less than £500 have a look at 2nd hand bikes, possibly get in touch with your local cycling club as there are always people wanting to upgrade. I recently bought a 2012 Ridley Eos with full Tiagra groupset for £320 as a winter bike. It has just had a gold service by the LBS and is in great nick.

    November 6, 2013 at 10:16 am #762319
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    Andrewwd

    No doubt some would disagree,
    No doubt some would disagree, but I don’t think cycling (or any form of endurance exercise) on it’s own is a very good way to lose weight. Exercise makes you hungry, and it’s easier to lose weight by eating less than exercising more. Don’t try to go too hardcore straight away, you’ll end up hating it. I personally wouldn’t bother with a turbo trainer for example. If you cycle gently enough initially that you don’t need to be fuelling yourself up with carbs and sugar all the time you’ll find it easier to eat less and lose weight. Once you’re lighter the cycling will be so much easier and then you can think about taking it up a notch.

    Think of the bike as a thing that can take you places and bring new experiences rather than a fitness device. Fitness devices get boring very quickly.

    Despite the above, I wouldn’t discourage you from getting a racing style bike if you think you can handle the riding position, you need to ride something you think is cool.

    November 6, 2013 at 9:59 am #762317
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    jova54

    Welcome to our world, you
    Welcome to our world, you ‘will’ enjoy it 😀

    Can’t add anything to the advice above but if you want a bit of inspiration have a search on the site for a guy named ‘shrinking baz’. He hasn’t posted here recently but his story from 2011 is worth reading just to see what can be achieved riding a bike and starting at a much higher weight than yours.

    November 6, 2013 at 9:42 am #762315
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    OldRidgeback

    A bloke I work with gave up
    A bloke I work with gave up the cigs and started cycling at the weekends and in the evenings a year or so ago and he lost quite a bit of weight. He can’t quite keep up with me yet but he was pleased when I told him it was very noticeable how his waistline had reduced.

    No need to spend a bundle on a first bike. The Carrera brand is generally good value for money. If you get into cycling in due course and then when she who must be obeyed sees the health benefits, a more expensive bike can be budgeted for. And then the Carrera can become the winter hack or the bike used for trips to the shops and so on.

    Cycle training and some basic maintenance courses would be useful.

    November 6, 2013 at 9:18 am #762313
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    PJ McNally

    You’re a brave man taking up
    You’re a brave man taking up cycling in November, of course.

    But stick with it and you’ll be a changed man come spring.

    Just make sure you get good gloves – at this time of year, i wear Altura Shield, £9.99 on sale – and possibly some overshoes for when it gets miserable.

    November 6, 2013 at 9:15 am #762311
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    PJ McNally

    YES, YES, YES!
    And yes – a
    YES, YES, YES!

    And yes – a hybrid is a very good idea, not everyone has the flexibility of a pro rider in their 20’s.

    (I ride a Trek 7.2FX hybrid as my everyday bike and happily pass MAMILs on their carbon bikes most days).

    If you do want a road bike – I ride a Halfords one, a Carrera Virtuoso, looks the business and is faster than the hybrid, makes weekends a lot of fun! Can take a rack and mudguards (just), too.

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