Clydesdales

Al3x said:

I’ve just purchased my 1st bike, I’m 5’9” and 240. My goal weight it 200 so I’ll always be a Clydesdale.

Welcome!

Hey, Steve

Finally! Thanks for the forum.
I will be visiting often.

Cheers.

I will too!
At 220 pounds, I ma fighting fit!
Right now I'm at 275- working on it, though. Been riding a lot.
Cheers.

Got some praise the other day - first off, they were giving me the backhanded "damn, you are GREAT to draft behind!"

Then one guy told another (when I wasn't around) that "your buddy Dave is a big guy, but man can he MOVE."

I chalk it up to being too stupid to realize when I'm going uphill.

Clydesdale, I think I like that title. I'm 31 y.o. 268 (started at 294) and 5'11". I had heart surgery at the start of the year. For the first time in my life I can exercize without worrying about blacking out. I working towards doing a 45 mile ride this Sept 27. Its an annual Century Ride. Next year I plan to do the full 100 miles.

Now here's a weird question... What kind of underwear is the best? I normally wear a y-front cotton brief. But they just holds the sweat and is too baggy. I have switched to a bikini cut which is much more comfortable but still soak up the sweat. Any suggestions.

Naphtali, Padded bike shorts with no underware is best! When I first started riding more than a few miles, I made the newbie mistake of doing a 40 mile charity ride with underware!!:eek: My groin was chaffed so bad, I couldn't walk normal for a week!

Naphtali said:

Now here's a weird question... What kind of underwear is the best? I normally wear a y-front cotton brief. But they just holds the sweat and is too baggy. I have switched to a bikini cut which is much more comfortable but still soak up the sweat. Any suggestions.

Well, Under Armour works best if you want to use them. I frankly thinks it works better than chamois butter and nothing. The UA material acts like a second inner sock for hikers to prevent blisters. Since the material isn't cotton, the sweat wicks away to the shorts like it should.

+1

tonyzackery said:

on a given week, i'm a couple hamburgers away from qualifying for this thread. Today anyway, i have no business being here so i'll get out now...:d:p

try me back in a month when race season is officially over...

two wheels said:

Naphtali, Padded bike shorts with no underware is best! When I first started riding more than a few miles, I made the newbie mistake of doing a 40 mile charity ride with underware!!:eek: My groin was chaffed so bad, I couldn't walk normal for a week!

+1. My first "significant" ride was on a road bike and I rode in just my underwear and some unpadded shorts.

My perineum was VERY sore. Either get a girly-soft saddle or padded shorts.

cathald said:

Hey guys I have just signed up to the forum
Anybody have any suggestions for me as to why my legs get really sore while out on a ride
My breathing is fine but my legs just seem to give in I am around the 250lbs mark

acathal

Sounds like your seat is too low, your next post.

In the old days before all this computer monitoring and all the rule of thumb was if your breathing gives out first upshift to a bigger gear. If your legs gave out first downshift a smaller gear. May help?

Yes I'm old!

Bill

cathald said:

Thanks for the welcome Wlfdg

I think I have found out the reason behind my sore legs
I was chatting to the guy at my local bike shop and he says my seat is to low
do you think this could be my problem?
I am able to put my feet flat on the ground while sitting on my bike and he says I should only be able to put my tip-toe to the ground.

Cathal

Here's my $0.02 - could be seat position if it's too low. If it's adjusted properly, your leg should be slightly bent when at the bottom of the pedal rotation. That will more than likely mean you can't put your feet flat when seated on the seat, but not necessarily. In any case, the leg almost straight is what to shoot for.

Other possibility is you're riding in too high of a gear. Try shifting down a gear and pedaling faster. That'll make the exercise more aerobic and get your heart and lungs going a little more without putting as much strain on your leg muscles.

Good luck!

if you're using "big gears" and pushing hard start using little ones and learn how to spin with pedal rpm above 85 rpm 100 rpm better,It takes time, work and patience, quit the "up-down" and pedal in circles- see books about technique,training racing by Greg Lemond, Bernard Hinaualt,eddy b, chris carmichael...whant they say applies to everyone that rides especially seriously. The guy in the shop is right

cathald said:

Hey guys I have just signed up to the forum
Anybody have any suggestions for me as to why my legs get really sore while out on a ride
My breathing is fine but my legs just seem to give in I am around the 250lbs mark

acathal

cathald said:

Thanks for the welcome Wlfdg

I think I have found out the reason behind my sore legs
I was chatting to the guy at my local bike shop and he says my seat is to low
do you think this could be my problem? Any help would be great

yes- improper fit can cause many problems including thigh pain. Dont go by rules of thumb (tip toe on street) go to a reputable bike shop and have the bike fitted. There are many small adjustments that can make a maor difference.

Godspeed