This fat boy started a journey today.

"mazda616" (mazda616)
06/12/2020 at 13:28 • Filed to: Bicycling

Not bad for a fatty’s first workout in pretty much forever, right?

I about died on the way back. I stopped and rested a lot, and walked the bike some.

But, damn it, I made it.

DISCUSSION (34)

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > mazda616
06/12/2020 at 14:39

8.26 miles is no joke, even on a bike. This really reminds me that I should try biking some of the Silver Comet Trail so that I can tell the days apart. I’ll file that away with my other plans that won’t come to fruition.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > mazda616
06/12/2020 at 14:49

I’d like to try out that seat because lardass.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > mazda616
06/12/2020 at 15:02

T hat heart rate is very high, is the monitor accurate?

mazda616 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
06/12/2020 at 15:04

I’m just fat and haven’t exercised in forever.

Beefchips > mazda616
06/12/2020 at 15:05

Woot! That looks like a real nice place to ride, too.

mazda616 > Beefchips
06/12/2020 at 15:08

It’s awesome. Basically a trail that circles the city. Goes behind several neighborhoods and such. It’s isolated but not too isolated. And mostly flat. Which is good for me as a beginner on a bike.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > mazda616
06/12/2020 at 15:08

It shows you were working very hard. I used to train with a heart rate monitor but don’t anymore. I just ride and enjoy the day.

mazda616 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/12/2020 at 15:09

Dude! It’s awesome. The old seat hurt my ass so bad that it was hard to walk or even sit in the car to drive home. This one is about 10x better.

TheRealBicycleBuck > mazda616
06/12/2020 at 15:13

First off, congratulations!

Now, please go get your heart checked out before you ride any more. An average heart rate that high can be a bad thing.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise-intensity/art-20046887?pg=2

https://www.verywellfit.com/target-heart-rate-calculator-3878160

A high heart rate during exercise was how we were alerted to my wife’s heart issues.

Also, when you start getting cramps in your butt from that saddle, consider swapping it out for a more traditional design. My favorite is a Brooks B-17, but my second favorite was a Bontrager. I say was because it was destroyed in a wreck and I’ve never replaced it. I know they don’t look comfortable, but once you find the right fit and spend some time on it, your bits won’t go numb and your butt won’t be sore. People freak out about the nose of the saddle. Keep in mind that it’s there not to squish your bits but to provide additional control over the bike.

If you’re just riding on paths, swapping the knobbies for slicks will lead to a better ride and more control on the corners. I used Kenda Kwest on my last MTB commuter. They are inexpensive and perform fine. If you’re planning to upgrade bikes, you can swap the tires onto the new bike.

Switching to a no-suspension MTB will make your pedaling a lot more efficient. Suspension is typically set up for a 170lb rider. I don’t know how heavy you are, but the heavier you are, the more wobbly the suspension, especially on lower-end bikes. They depend on friction dampers, so once the suspension gets moving, the dampers have a hard time controlling the movement, especially if you’re kinda chunky like me.

Feel free to shoot questions my direction or to t he group . There are a lot of cyclists around here who are happy to help.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > mazda616
06/12/2020 at 15:14

I have a leather saddle that is surprisingly comfortable, but gets less so after an hour. ( Real bicyclists’ asses never touch the saddles...)

mazda616 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/12/2020 at 15:17

Goals. Haha. My fat ass sits a lot when riding.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
06/12/2020 at 15:19

I guess I’m not a real cyclist. Mine stays firmly planted most of the time.

mazda616 > TheRealBicycleBuck
06/12/2020 at 15:20

I think I just pushed myself too much today. I’m REALLY out of shape. Like, really really.

I had lots of tests and blood work done with my doctor last summer and everything checked out well.

TheRealBicycleBuck > mazda616
06/12/2020 at 15:24

As you get into shape, you’ll find that twin-cheek saddles compress the buttocks and hamstring and cut off circulation to the legs. If you start having cramps in your legs, this might be why.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html

It’s a pretty comprehensive discussion about the whys behind saddle design.

Tripper > TheRealBicycleBuck
06/12/2020 at 15:33

I’m between 160-180bpm on my runs depending on intensity. Seems pretty normal for mid 30s dudes.

TheRealBicycleBuck > mazda616
06/12/2020 at 15:38

I’d hate to see something bad happen. Someone has to keep the Sunbird flag flying!

E ven though you had tests done last summer, t alk to your doctor about that heart rate. An average heart rate of 170 puts your effort in the 95th percentile for a conditioned athlete and even they can’t hold it for an hour. I’m getting older and not in great shape and I’m pushing it to hold 15 0-160 for an hour. As I get stronger, my heart rate will go down, not up. Professional cyclists will have heart rates around 135, even on big rides like the Tour de France.

Seriously, don’t blow this off. Show a doctor those results before you hop on a bike again.

avalonian > mazda616
06/12/2020 at 15:42

I wanted to go buy a bike, but everywhere is sold out. Unless I wanna drop 500 bucks.

Tripper > TheRealBicycleBuck
06/12/2020 at 15:49

Ok never mind my average heart rate while cycling is a lot less.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Tripper
06/12/2020 at 16:03

Running typically produces higher heart rates than cycling. What he’s seeing isn’t normal, especially if he was able to maintain it for over an hour on his first time on the bike.

We saw the same thing with my wife when she started exercising. It was a sign of cardiac problems.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Tripper
06/12/2020 at 16:04

I posted my other reply before yours posted on my feed. Sorry we got a little crossed-up there.

Brickman > mazda616
06/12/2020 at 16:05

Sorry, but that seat gave me quite a chuckle :D

Congrats for exercising, I bet by next week you will be less tired and riding even more! 8 miles is quite a lot for a first ride.

VincentMalamute-Kim > mazda616
06/12/2020 at 16:31

Good job. Keep going. It’ll get easier. It may take a long time but it will.

The heart rate is eye-catching. Probably OK if you’re 24 yrs old.

I see a lot of good suggestions from everyone else so I won’t add to those except that i f you can get an exercise or riding buddy, that’s an immense psychological boost.

I started back up two years ago after decades of sitting. I’m now finally feeling like it’s getting easier. I’m also old so that has a lot to do with how slow the fitness is returning.

Thomas Donohue > mazda616
06/12/2020 at 16:42

Any workout is a good workout.

I walked 18 holes of golf today, first time in a while. It was a good indicator that A) I need to play more golf and B) I need to exercise more.

Keep at it!

facw > avalonian
06/12/2020 at 16:48

If you are buying new, you probably don’t want a bike that’s less than $500. Maybe from one of the online discount places, but the cheap bikes you find at big box stores are cheap for a reason!

facw > mazda616
06/12/2020 at 16:56

Good stuff. Keep at it and 8 miles will seem like nothing, but it’s a good start for now!

As others have said, your heart rate is a bit high, but it should improve as you get in better shape. Until then don’t be afraid to go a bit slower, coast more, or take breaks.

Tripper > TheRealBicycleBuck
06/12/2020 at 17:06

No it’s good info. I was worried myself for a sec. In looking through my runs I’m only averaging 170-180 on sub 40 minute fast runs. Otherwise I’m around 160

avalonian > facw
06/12/2020 at 17:29

I suspected that, but for 2-3 times a week it should suffice. Right?

facw > avalonian
06/12/2020 at 18:51

So I’ve seen a stat that says the average bike in the US is ridden 6 miles in it’s life. Obviously that is biased by kids bikes, but the point is they aren’t built for durability because manufacturers know they don’t need it. You can of course look at the components and see how low-end they are, but I wouldn’t expect much out of an adult bike that’s that cheap. Obviously how much 2-3 rides a week is depends on how long those rides are. For a quick spin around the block, I think you’d be fine. For 20+ mile rides, I think that would be false economy.

avalonian > facw
06/12/2020 at 19:06

Yeah, I was thinking 10 miles a week honestly. But if I get into it I can commit more money and what not. But it's a bit expensive right now.

facw > avalonian
06/12/2020 at 19:07

In usual times, it would be a good argument for getting a used bike, but pricing is pretty wild right now.

mazda616 > TheRealBicycleBuck
06/12/2020 at 19:09

I am wearing a three-year-old Apple Watch Series 1. Maybe it’s not that accurate?

TheRealBicycleBuck > mazda616
06/12/2020 at 22:48

Maybe, but I would err on the side of it being accurate.

Just Jeepin' > mazda616
06/24/2020 at 22:43

So...where in Kentucky are you? Asking for a friend.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/anyone-in-the-evansville-area-1844148912

mazda616 > Just Jeepin'
06/25/2020 at 08:29

Owensboro!