Hello there Band fans....I got banded March 28th-2007.

I told myself....Bycyling would be a very good choice. Fresh air, muscles working for the sake of "Cardio". After one week passed--in April. I purchased three new bikes for me and my two sons. I have defeated many things doing that. No more not riding with my children--we ride as a crew (family). We could not conquer the hill on my street. We used to stop 3 to 4 times before getting to the top ( I did). So now the wheels have turned. My kids ask me---"Daddy can we stop--our legs are burning". Thank God I am doing well now. Now with 21 pounds gone---but just riding bikes. I am ready for the next Journey...The 1st fill--I am looking forward to the next 4 to 6 weeks--maybe 12 or 20 pounds gone...who knows...:faint: this is how I feel on many days after my ride. Today--(8.5 miles) It was walking, riding around the fair in my town--but that is what my speedometer said when it was all over...

I snuck up on ya during the Fort Weekend. Guess you never knew....

Fort....Fort Wayne....same diff lol.

J - Only one...how did you feel towards the end and after the ride?

B - That's awesome that you have done the HHH! Which version did you do? (There is 25M, 50M, 100K and 100M.) I want to go for the whole 100M! Do you recall how long it took you to make it to Hell's Gate? I would be so disappointed in myself if I didn't make it before it closed and they re-routed me to the 80M alternate route! It's scheduled to close at 12:30, but last year they closed it early because of the heat.

BG - OMG where in the world did you get that pic! And WHY?!?!? LOL

I never reveal my sources.....

I wanted to get the hell off of my bike.

I've found that every time I do a new all time high (my first 20,

35, 40, 56, etc.) I was wiped out for the day.

You'll be able to do a 100 mile also called a century, by August. Really.

BG-

I'd kill to be able to get a picture like that camel toe. Now you'd have to life my stomach ass out of the way. UGH!

I hate stomach asses.

TX - did the full 100 miles. I don't recall how long it took to get through the gate - I was 21/22 years old, weighed 60 pounds less than i do now. I had, however, only started riding seriously in March, with a 6 mile ride in Wylie, so nine months is more than long enough to train, if it's a priority.

If i recall, it was a fairly mild summer that year, not as mild as this summer, but not too bad, etiher. At some point, after you've ridden 50-60 miles a few times, going longer distances becomes a matter of equilibrium - getting enough hydration and nutrition to fuel your muscles, but it's not necessarily harder. We are fortunate in Texas to be able to cycle outside year-round if we want (one of the big negatives when considering a move back to bean town). In addition to using the next nine months getting used to riding longer distances, start trying out nutrition / hydration options. In the summer here electrolyte balance is key, and many people who bonk during a ride do so becuase they've only had water. There are some sugar-free tablets that you can add to your water to ensure adequate electrolytes - I use NUUN. Also helps with the cramps. Nutrition can be a little tougher for us banded folks.

I'd also recommend riding some of the other rides around here between now and then - most start with a 10-12 mile route, a 20-mile, a 40-mile, a metric century, and a 100-mile. They're a lot of fun and can get you used to riding in big groups.

I also recommend checking out the Ft. Worth Bicycling Association (:: FWBA :: Home Page ::).

Second ride in the park today - 8.4 @11. I'll start riding on the road tomorrow. That should allow me to go farther (only so many times can I go around the pond), and faster - don't have to dodge the pedestrians, their dogs, their strollers, the park services people, etc.

Hope everybody is having a great weekend - great toe, BG :eek: ...

B

b...you give allot of excellent advice on biking and gearing up for bigger rides. i know when I started out, it was about going just one extra mile, or increasing the speed just a little. The most I have done is till the 41 mile ride, but it was a huge accomplishment for me at my current weight and skill level.

Tx..Good luck on looking for your bike...I am looking to upgrade to a road bike...I am going back and forth bettween 2...but am staying out of the shops until I have cash in hand...LOL

hello to all

B - Thanks for all the info! I'm impressed! I'm looking into endurance fueling now. I'm such a newbie, so all info is new to me as yet!

HP - I *think* I may have found my bike! I went to my LBS this afternoon and did quite a few test rides. By far the most comfortable for me was the Specialized Dolce. After researching, I really thought I was sold on a Trek, but the Specialized was so much more comfortable. And less expensive, too! On another topic, here is a pic of one of my kids when we first brought him home last year...

TX, That is a cute kid! what's her name? I made the assumption from the little pink tag.

That's a nice looking bike. Does tt have the vibration dampers (zerks) in it? Mine has them on the front fork the rear arm and in the handle bar. They make life nicer on rough roads.

Hi All I managed a 30 mile ride this weekend after a trip to a local Rock Climbing Gym. I also do an incredible amount of Ab work this weekend. I am one sore puppy!

JC

Gosh, its already Monday. I am trying to stay off the computer on the weekends because that is the only "real" quality time with DH.

BG, you KNEW that would get these guys all riled up. Quit posting pictures of yourself.

J, HI!!!! Glad you got your paper done and went out on a date. YOU need to get out!!

TX, I know this is gonna sound stupid but, can and will you change your font color. It is killing my eyes reading that yellow. If you don't want to then its fine, I just thought I would ask if you would be willing.

B, soooooooooo are you feeling sooooooooo great actually riding on the bike??????? Does it feel better being smaller???

HP, are you glad to be back in the swing of things at home or would you rather still be driving with the top down and wind blowing in your hair, and lost!!!!!

JC, wow, you are kicking ass again in the exercise department.

D - Yes, it was soooo nice to get back out on the bike. The 40 pounds makes a world of difference, can't quite imagine what it will be like to ride at or near goal weight. There are some hills at the park that used to require every thing I had to get up in the granny gears, and I was able to ride right up them in the middle gears. I am feeling a little beat up, though - wanted to ride the first few times at the park, so if something went wrong, i wouldn't be too far from the car. Unfortunately, the concrete paths at the park have some washboard ruts in them. They aren't visible to the eye, but you can feel them on the bike. Will be riding on the road again tonight (if the rain stops) or tomorrow.

I have to be honest - I was really feeling kind of blah about the biking thing after having been off-bike for so long (last ride was 3 weeks before surgery). All that changed as soon as I pedalled a few turns on Saturday morning. I'm hooked again!

B

JC - Thanks! He's adorable! Yeah, when I picked that tag in the machine, it was red...then out popped a pink tag! Oh well! His name is Koda, and he is so much fun. After having Black Labs literally all my life, it is quite a switch to have a five-pound ball of fur!

Yes, it has the Zerks. If I remember correctly, in the same locations as your except for trading in handlebars for one below the seat post?

Sounds like you had a great weekend! What do you do for your ab work? I do quite a bit myself, and always looking to add to it or change it up some for variety.

D - No problem! Actually, it was orange for Halloween and I'm sick of changing it every time anyhow. Sorry I was making you cross-eyed! :cool:

TX, gosh thanks!!! It was hard to read and I was straining so much to read it. It was really pretty, if you don't have to read it...:cool:

B, it is amazing how the bike is addictive. I have to confess, it has been weeks since being on mine. The chill of Idaho is too much for me and I don't have anything to wear in the cold either. I am waiting until next summer to get that stuff for the next fall.

Oh I have to share this NSV...I went from a 48DDD to now, as of today, a 42 DD.....I am sooooooooo happy about that, except that now they seem to sag....ALOT.....that sucks....

Hi my people.

I'm back at work, thinking about my work out and jealous as hell of you people who can ride year round. I hate you.

Actually the weather is fine right now, it's just that it gets dark so early, hopping on the bike at 6pm only gives a girl an hour to ride. Maybe Wednesday if it's not raining I can do a bit.

Glad to see we're all here. B and TX, you two are such nice additions.