Where Is The 2021 Fitness Weight Loss Thread?

[jyl]

I haven’t been riding my bike much, so late in December I decided I need to resume daily bike commuting as step one to regaining my legs and lungs and girlish figure.

When you first resume riding after a long lapse, you, or at least I, have no legs at all. I can pedal with some semblance of power for a minute, then it’s like wet kittens pressing feebly on the pedals. I should add that I have this thing, that when I start riding the bike again I have to leave it in the highest gear, 53 x 12, at all times unless it’s simply impossible to get the pedals around in which case 53 x 14 is shamefully tolerated. My theory is that building legs up from zero is like weight lifting, you want to push them to failure as quickly as possible. Only after there is some meat on the bones do you “deserve” the luxury of an easier gear.

After a week or so of panting and struggling along, hardly moving, you start to see progress. Sometimes you can find yourself moving sort of briskly, without realizing it. Then phase two comes, and it can be summarized in the quote that I forgot the author of: “just because no-one knows we’re racing, doesn’t mean I’m not winning”.

This means that if you see a bike in the distance ahead, you are required to chase them down and pass them. This may be a grandma on a tricycle, a mom carrying two kids on a cargo bike, a homeless guy with garbage bags of cans and bottles draped on his stolen bike, or even you from two weeks ago. Doesn’t matter, you have to chase them down and dispatch them mercilessly.

There is a right way and a wrong way to pass someone. The wrong way is to painfully winch past, breath rattling and eyes rolling. The right way is to glide past, effortlessly turning the pedals with souplesse, at a polite distance, as if you didn’t know they were there or at least are too well bred to embarass them with your glance. To do this, you accelerate until you are about two bike lengths behind, then ease up on the pedals, adopt your most languid pose, hold your breath, and dispatch your victim so decisively that if they think about speeding up, you’re already several bike lengths clear.

Because the worst thing is if you pass someone who picks up the gauntlet and accelerates to catch you. You need to be far enough ahead that you can casually turn off on a side street, that might or might not be where you were intending to turn anyway but suddenly looks intriguing for reasons unrelated to the humiliation bearing down on your six.

The holding your breath is a Covid precaution but is also to give the illusion of not even working hard.

Today I chased some dude for five blocks. As I got closer I saw the messenger backpack and thick calves, and realized this wasn’t one of the asthmatic cripples that, at this stage in my refit, are the preferred opponent. Still, I caught him, choked my lungs back into my chest, held my breath, glided past, and then rode like five wet kittens under the influence of catnip to get far away. When I got home, my daughter asked “dad, do you have Covid? why are you breathing that way?” I’m providing her room and board, mind you.

This sucks mightily, of course, but after turning into a pot-bellied stick in 2020 I’m determined to be fit again in 2021.

Which brings me to the point of all this: won’t someone start the 2021 Fitness Weight Loss Thread?

I can’t start it, I have to go lie down.

[McLovin]

I think I saw it at Krispy Kremes.

[wdfifteen]

Have fun with your resumed biking adventures. Good luck on getting fit again!
I've been struggling with lower back and hip arthritis that has gotten much worse over the past year. About 9 months ago I gave up on riding the Concept II rowing machine, my back just couldn't take it. The limit of my exercise has been doing PT stretches and core strengthening for about 6 months and I'm feeling a bit better. The recumbent exercise bike at the PT clinic felt good, I got exercise that didn't hurt my back. So I got one for home. It just came today. I'll set it up tomorrow and be on the "road" in no time. My goal is moving beyond just strengthening my back and getting the rest of my carcass in better shape.

[stevej37]

I ride mine every day. No chance of passing anyone...if I attempted a pass move, I would end up on the floor. The rollers are fussy about that.
I did ride off the edge the other day....I had just aired the tires up and it made them super slippery on the rollers.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Have fun with your resumed biking adventures. Good luck on getting fit again!
I've been struggling with lower back and hip arthritis that has gotten much worse over the past year. About 9 months ago I gave up on riding the Concept II rowing machine, my back just couldn't take it. The limit of my exercise has been doing PT stretches and core strengthening for about 6 months and I'm feeling a bit better. The recumbent exercise bike at the PT clinic felt good, I got exercise that didn't hurt my back. So I got one for home. It just came today. I'll set it up tomorrow and be on the "road" in no time. My goal is moving beyond just strengthening my back and getting the rest of my carcass in better shape.

Bad lower back here. I got a recumbent bike 2 years ago. Absolute godsend.

[herr_oberst]

Sooo many ebikes out there.

I'll be chasing some Fred (or Karen!) on a commuter bike all the way up 7th, finally get past (channeling the ghost of Sterling Moss to make it look like I'm just relaxing) and realize he's loafing along at 20 mph with a whole lotta wattage at his beck and call.
At that point, finding any turnoff or blasting through a very stale yellow light is high priority, because nobody my age can keep a two wheeled tesla behind him for long.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Sooo many ebikes out there.

I'll be chasing some Fred (or Karen!) on a commuter bike all the way up 7th, finally get past (channeling the ghost of Sterling Moss to make it look like I'm just relaxing) and realize he's loafing along at 20 mph with a whole lotta wattage at his beck and call.
At that point, finding any turnoff or blasting through a very stale yellow light is high priority, because nobody my age can keep a two wheeled tesla behind him for long.

Ebikes should be confined to the car lane, the new ones go the city speed limit!

[Tishabet]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

Sooo many ebikes out there.

They used to be easy to identify too... demoralizing.

John, I LOL'd at your description of having to hold your breath to create the illusion that you're not trying hard when pushing to pass someone, I have certainly never done such a thing. ON......YOUR..............LEFT

FWIW guys, I now have 6 STPs to my name (plus a few RSVPs and a RAMROD and a bunch of other rides) and I still wear my sweet Pelican jacket when I can, to think I had never been on a road bike before 2013... still riding the Surly too, steel is real baby!

[LWJ]

A note of appreciation. That was one of the funniest posts I have read in a long time. Years, perhaps. Thank you.

[look 171]

John, I got Covid 19 lbs that's for sure. Man, 12 of my lbs gots to go. Too much pizza and not out doing stuff. I completely stopped in march. On New Years day, I went out and did my usual 12 14 mile loop. I managed to crawl up the hilly sections. the damn bike has a mind of its own, it was all over the road. Thankfully, I drove down the hill because going home is a ball busting hill of 1 miles. No thanks, so I cheated.

Rubber legs, but I kept it on the small ring and spun like a rat in the cage the entire time. Off the saddle riding was necessary to get up and over the humps and that's only half way before having to shift to a wussy gear. I am old fashion, and like to spin. Spinning build form and eventually the strength will come. So far, I went out twice. Today, I drove down the hill again, only to discovered my Di2 battery was completely dead, so the happy me just went home. Instead of getting another bike, made something warm to drink and just hung out. Getting fat my ass out tomorrow morning. The excitement can be felt again today so its all good as they say.

Glad you are out riding again. Cold and wet up there.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by stevej37

I ride mine every day. No chance of passing anyone...if I attempted a pass move, I would end up on the floor. The rollers are fussy about that.
I did ride off the edge the other day....I had just aired the tires up and it made them super slippery on the rollers.

I just don't know how you guys do this? My longest time on those things was just under 45 min. Talking about discipline? Now, I am a very disciplined rider but on the rollers? Nope, just can't do it.

[ckelly78z]

I have no shame whatsoever at having a 36V 500W kicker motor on my 29" mountain bike. At 55 with a new pace maker, and lung issues, it is the only reason I even want to get on a bike, but I pedal the entire time, so at least I am getting some benefit.

No desire at all of getting out in 30* windy, overcast weather however...that's a great way to freeze the snot to your face.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by look 171

I just don't know how you guys do this? My longest time on those things was just under 45 min. Talking about discipline? Now, I am a very disciplined rider but on the rollers? Nope, just can't do it.

I like the rollers because it forces one to use their balance all the time.
I have a tv off to the side and watch the morning news...or sometimes part of a movie.
This time of the year, outdoor biking is impossibe here...ice on roads and trails.

[wdfifteen]

I got the recumbent all set up. I like it! Except, it ought to come with a cup holder. I have to lean over to get my gin and tonic off of the table and after about the 3rd one I tend to fall off the bike.

[herr_oberst]

Sweet setup. Exercise and relax at the same time.
You need one of these for your G&T:

[stevej37]

A long tall straw would work...lol

Any exercise is better than none....stay with it

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Love the summary and can totally relate to the need to feel LeMonde with... well... anyone else out there (and then the panic of “what if they catch up?!?!) 🤣

I’m starting to get out on my mountain bike more. I’m too out of shape and practice to be seen on my road bike. I feel unworthy. By summer I want to get on it again though and won’t feel embarrassed to be out in public. The gym being closed hasn’t helped at all - neither has been too much “at home work” (been crazy busy and I’ve made it a point to get out where I can, but it’s irregular and not enough). The insane changes to kids school schedules haven’t helped. The joys of being a working single dad...

I’m seriously annoyed by the proliferation of e-bikes and their chubby straddlers. No pain investment to be able to go that fast. Maybe that’s snobbish. I have an electric skateboard that I occasionally play with myself though so I can’t be too snooty about such things. It’s hard to not get a little chapped when I’m killing myself to climb some modest hill without looking like a 50-something has-been (reality be damned!) and some dude that’s got 40 pounds on me sails by on a fat tire e-bike like I’m standing still. I try to tell myself “it’s NOT a bike!!! Don’t let that discourage you!!!” but of course it still does...

I’m sticking to my old-school pedal powered rigs though!

[stevej37]

I have a Propella E-Bike on order. Supposed to arrive in a few weeks.

The reason I bought it is to assist with the pedaling, not to sit on it and let it do everything.
There are lots of times when I would like to go out 10 more miles, but there is always that additional 10 miles when coming back. Or when going the extra miles because the wind is at your back..only to realize that wind is merciless coming back.

During the biking season...I average about 25 miles/day
With the Propella, I should be able to bump that up to 30 or more.

[jyl]

A 37 lb road bike . . . I see a vicious spiral there, the heavier the bike the more you need to use the assist.

[stevej37]

^^^ If it gets that way...I'll just use it on the rollers...lol

I might have to try that....see what the top-end is....while watching tv.