Total Posts: 41
5.9 Years Ago

It's been a long road back for me in the last 10 months. Last year at this time I was a portly (for me) 207 lbs with no real desire to do anything about it. Ramona (the sig other) was riding on the weekends and I was racing motorcycles in the AFM here in NorCal.

My results on the motorcycle were not what I wanted and it was partly due to my lack of fitness. So I started to ride on weekends with Ramona just to get a little bit of fitness back in me. This was difficult to say the least, being a very competitive person could not believe what a slug I was on the bike.

After racing(bicycles) back in the early 90's I had not been on the bike regularly in 15 years. So it was quite humbling to get back on at a weight that was nearly 40 lbs heavier from when I raced.

I had no real desire to get back into "cycling" but the bug kinda bit me again. Next thing ya know I am going to the bike shop to get Ramona a new bike and figured, while I am here I might as well.....well ya know how it goes, I bought one for myself also. I am Specialized.

That was last August, starting slowly (about 3-4 miles a month for the first couple of months) I was just trying to lose weight. It started flying off, then I had a need to compete, so I knew I had to train harder if that was to be my goal.

I have slowly (very) gotten to a place that I feel comfortable on the bike. 30lbs have been pealed off and although I am still pretty slow going uphill, I feel fit.

So what now?

I started with a goal of just losing weight, then it changed to competing in some Criteriums and now, well that's up for debate. I would like to go back to where I was before (cat 3, but that means even harder training, more time, more blah blah blah) and perhaps have the ultimate goal of going to the Nationals to compete in the Masters 45 Crit Championships....that is alot of work.

The big questions is??? Is that goal to big for an old, out of shape, dillusional guy who vaguely remembers what it is like to train hard enough to get back to a Cat 3?

Only time and some additional motivation will tell.

Total Posts: 640
5.9 Years Ago

I say go for it. If you can arrange your time, family, work and other obligations to focus on training, I think you should go for it!! Set you goals high...

JC1.5

Total Posts: 37
5.9 Years Ago

You'll never know unless you don't try. If you've got the motivation and the time to put into it, as well as support from the family - don't ask why - ask WHY NOT!!!

At the very least, you'll have fun along the journey, and that's what counts the most.

Look forward to riding with you again.

S

Total Posts: 41
5.9 Years Ago

I think i can, i think i can, i think i can......

Total Posts: 640
5.9 Years Ago

I believe you pulled a double negative, I believe it is, You'll never know unless you TRY.

I am sure Paul was stuck on this and now he can move on... GO PAUL!

Total Posts: 37
5.9 Years Ago

I AM THE GRAMMAR QUEEN!

:-P Thanks, Jim. Duly noted and much appreciated. Yes, that is exactly what I meant. I think I meant to say "You won't know if you don't try" - the 'if' being the operative word there - should have been in place of 'unless'.

I must've been out to lunch...

Total Posts: 41
5.9 Years Ago

Total Posts: 640
5.9 Years Ago