Hi all,

Been a while since I posted here but my 5 year surgiversary is coming up so thought I might…

I got into cycling about 3 years ago and it’s kind of taken over my life. Went to back Belgium (where I got my sleeve) last weekend and took part in a brutal cycling event - Tour of Flanders Cyclo, 177km with 2300m of climbing on often cobbled hills. Pro’s raced many of the next day.

Couple of pics below, quite pleased with myself but now focussed on losing a bit more timber - I did have a blip during lockdown and gained nearly 20kg but currently at my lowest since surgery. ~57kg off my heaviest.

Edited April 8, 20233 yr by Albus

You are amazing! Congratulations

CongRATS!

Hello Alsbus,

I hope it's OK I'll be following you. At one point in my life I was heavily into cycling, not on a racing level but I usually completed at least one century a year and racked up thousands of miles. I have heard of the Tour of Flanders. I still ride a little but it's so difficult schlepping the extra 80 pounds. I'm pre surgery but appreciate long term successes. You've lost 125 pounds!

How did it feel to ride without all of the excess baggage?

Follow away

It was a tough ride but utterly amazing, did Paris-Roubaix last year which was tough in other ways. Two weeks time eTape Loch Ness which is ace.

It does feel good and hilly rides are a good motivator to keep going as every lb is a penalty!

Oh wow - so good to hear your story Albus! Enjoy all of your cycles this spring/summer!

Congratulations! Such an encouraging story. Thanks for posting.

Ah that is brilliant! Go you!

Moderately envious because my broken knee from late last year (cycling accident!) has scuppered my fitness plans and I'm dying to get back on the bike!

You look so stoked in those pics, it's infectious!

Congratulations! That is amazing! I love hearing success stories like this!

Inspiring!

I watched Paris-Roubaix yesterday. Wow what a hard ride that is. Are you a professional rider?

On 4/10/2023 at 9:11 PM, Breaking notsobad said:

I watched Paris-Roubaix yesterday. Wow what a hard ride that is. Are you a professional rider?

It is a tough one but going back for more next year ? I found Flanders tougher with all the climbing though.

Not a pro, lots of the big events have an amateur event the day before on parts of the same course. I did about 145km of Roubaix with the last 20 cobbled secteurs, our first one was Arenberg which had me questioning my life choices ?

I haven't done a century in quite some time. I have an unstated goal to ride one next year hopefully one year post op. and 80 or so less poundage.

Such an inspiration. I'm about 6 months out from surgery and have started training to run a marathon. Some days it is super difficult still. Seeing this post has given me hope that hard works really does pay off. Congrats on all your accomplishments.

Sent from my SM-S115DL using BariatricPal mobile app

More stupidity yesterday - cycling 7 Angus Glens in a day. Hot, hilly, hell!