Fat gals and bike riding.

[xFreePeaceSweetx]

Does anyone have any advice please? Ive lost over 5 stone and am now 19ish. I feel confident to try again (I tried 4 years ago.but was too scared/embarrassed to ride in public especially as my son told me everyone was staring at me). How do I choose a bike? What do I wear? How do I survive the stares? (PS youknowwho If you feel compelled to troll me and call me disgusting again feel free. I wont be acknowledging you Its taking me a long time to lose weight and be happier in my own skin you cant bring me down )

If you have a good budget go to a decent bike shop. A good well fitted bike is so much more comfortable. Wear whatever you feel comfy in. And sod the stares, ignore them if you can. Well done on the weight loss!

Well done on the loss and a bike is a great investment. Go to a shop then out and they’ll help you choose. For wearing I wear gym leggings (as they don’t catch in the pedals) and a t shirt from a sports shop that are dri-fit or dry-etc so sweat doesn’t make them rub. Also reflective safety strips are so important. 🚴🏻‍♀️

No advice as I have zero balance on bikes so don't try! I just wanted to say well done and good luck

I can't help with the choice of bike, but I just wear leggings and a loose floaty top to potter around town. If I wanted to wear proper cycling gear I'd look here (or on ebay):

best plus size cycle shorts

and fat lad at the back, and corinne dennis.

Stares? Most people are just in their own little world and don't notice how anyone else looks. Was your son a teenager/pre-teen when he claimed people were staring at you? Chances are he was just having one of those moments when anything his mother does would be an embarrassment to him, just the fact of existing . Keep your head up, good saddle posture, and claim the road!

Go into a shop and chat with them. At over 15 stone (i am too BTW) you might run into issues with the weight the bike is designed for. They'll be able to help.

Definitely go to an independent bike shop so that you can get a better fit, they can advise you with clothing too.
As for staring, I would be surprised if that was really happening.
Excellent weight loss by the way, bloody good on you!

Hcevs look and see if there are any Breeze Rides in your area. These are romebs only,guided rides. All free. They have beginners rides too.

For a bike, go to see a local independent bike shop. New season bikes arrive in September, so there may be some reductions on last year’s colours and models (just like fashion!). If you must go to a warehouse type shop, go to Decathlon.

For clothing - Corrine Dennis and Fat Lad At the Back are excellent, but at a cost. To start with, just get shorts or padded liners to wear under leggings you might already have, and build up your cycle wear from there.

And don’t forget a helmet.

well done on the weight loss.

agree with pp.
wear whatever is comfortable, ideally no seams at the bottom.
bike - as everyone said, but don't discount decathlon for simple bikes.

get a saddle that is really comfy for you!

padded Adidas shorts size 20 on ebay £15

Over 5 stone is a fantastic weight loss - well done!

My only suggestion is that if you're looking to do longer rides in the future, look at the brand Fat Lad/Lass At The Back. They're quite expensive, but their stuff fits well (I have some cycling trousers and some shorts from them), and goes on your actual body measurements rather than standard sizing. Hardly any brands do cycling stuff for size 16+, let alone stuff that actually fits.

Just wanted to say well done on the weight loss, over five stone is a fantastic achievement. I am also trying to lose weight and would love to get back to cycling after many years, seeing your post has made me realise I need to get to a decent bike shop and see what they can do. Don't worry about what anyone else says -only saddos take the time and trouble to put down someone who is actively trying to get fit. The cycling will help with weight loss and toning - my legs, hips and bum were never so toned and trim as when I used to cycle regularly. I really hope you find a suitable bike Op and start enjoying cycling.

@xFreePeaceSweetx I am a member of a relatively new but completely inclusive FB cycling club. There are dozens, if not hundreds of the members at a similar size to you and you would be made most welcome.

If you'd like to join, please do: www.facebook.com/groups/cafetocafe/

Terrible typing in my previous post. I should have said that Breeze rides are women only.

Padded shorts! For cycling clothing sports direct Is as good as anywhere (and cheap) I wear the men's stuff normally.

Get a cheap bike from Facebook, get into riding them decide what sort of bike you prefer. Bikes can be bloody expensive, I got one about £200 (Victoria Pendleton hybrid from Halfords) and I go for miles on it 🚲

Well done on the weight loss! Fuck the trolls and wear something comfortable. You aren’t on this earth to look a certain way for anyone!

I have this bike, I'm about the same weight as you and I'm super short but I cycle easily about 30 miles a day www.cyclerepublic.com/orla-kiely-womens-classic-bike-olive-design-17.html

100% recommend a sit up and beg style and to make sure the seat is the right height as too low can cause knee pain, handles are the right angle as that will cause arm and shoulder ache. Jeans are difficult to cycle in at the best of times. Short dresses are fine but I am shameless about showing off my toned legs and bum I wear trainers. I have never noticed anyone staring at me and if they do, fuck them I have had a nasty comment from a bloke in a car about my weight but as I pointed out, I was cycling and he was driving...
Cyclists are generally a friendly lot although there is a particular breed of male cyclists who like to go 589393 mph on their fancy bikes scattering other cyclists and pedestrians in their wake.

The best advice I can offer is to go for a walk before getting on your bike to stretch out a little before you build your strength up. Depending on where you live, perhaps someone could recommend a good social cycling meet up? Your area may also have one to one or group cycling proficiency type arrangements.
Build your confidence in parks and off road routes first. Good bike lights for dark, a decent waterproof for the rain (I wear an endura mens coat which I may or may not have stolen from DP but otherwise I don't really feel the need to buy fancy cycling gear, base layers etc)
Good luck!

I’m not a tiny person but I have found some really comfy bike kit. I have padded shorts or padded long leg pants (a must for any cyclist), with a baggier pair of shorts over the top - I always find Dare2b shorts good for my shape. Then a vest top with secret support (usually M&S) and a regular tshirt over the top. The soft shell cycling jackets are also good and are quite long in the back so don’t ride up when you are on the bike. Good luck!

Wow! Thank you all for the wonderful and supportive posts. Last time I posted aboyt my weight (under a different name) I had two trolls (probably one sweaty and crusty sock puppeteer) telling me I was revolting and shameful. Anyway. Im going to do it. I have gone 3 days without smoking too. Its taking everything Ive got not to go and get some fags. Dont think Im brave enough to wear shorts yet but will look into getting some padded kecks.

Have a look to see if your area does bike training for adults. Even if you can technically ride, it might be helpful to attend a session just to build up some confidence. Also they might also do a bike basic maintenance workshop too which you'll need if you're buying a bike.

Don't worry about special clothes, just make sure you've got nothing that'll get caught in the wheels or chain. I wear skirts, cos that's is what I normally wear. I'm reclaiming cycling for normal people . All those folk in Amsterdam aren't wearing special outfits, they're just going from A to B on a bike.

Go for it!

Vixen are doing cycling knickers ATM - you can wear them under any clothes.

Get a proper bike fitting - there are companies who do this. It makes such a difference - and women need a different set up to men! A millimetre or 2 makes a difference.

Yes people may stare but it is because they are cheering you on. I was talking to a friend about this today when we were on the hills and we realised there were a lot of non red sock walkers out. It was a moment of joy. It is wonderful to see people out enjoying themselves. It does not matter if they are first time out of have been doing it since birth.

If you have a local independent bike shop go and have a look - if they do rentals or have demo models they will probably even lend you a bike to see if it suits you. My advice is to go for a reasonably upright design, it's a lot easier on your back and not too thin wheels. I'm lighter than you but still am self conscious about my weight when exercising, however on my bike it doesn't seem to matter as much. Look for mudguards and chain guard so you don't have to wear "cycling clothes" which make everyone look huge. Mine is a Giant but there's plenty of options. It's great exercise, go for it! Best wishes x

Well done OP, what an achievement and cycling is a great way to get and stay really fit. Best of all you can learn and ride at your own pace.

So, I had a bike fitting at my LBS and I buy most of my kit online or the odd bit from Go Outdoors. Velo Vixen make very good but pricey cycling knickers (essential for comfort and to avoid wedgies) and Stolen Goat are very good products which enable you to cycle in comfort all year round.

As long as your clothes arent flapping around the chain and wheels wear what you like.

And the best bike for you will be the one you fall in love with because you'll just want to be on it alot.
Good luck.

OP 3 days is better than me! Now I'm getting fitter I've cut down with the aim to quit all together and hopefully boost my fitness even more. A change of incentive might help, you always find the money for fags, find an excuse to scav one off someone etc but this might help as well. Good luck!

Well done OP. I am over 20 stone and ride a bike. I was struggling on a traditional bike so have an electric one. It’s awesome but was very expensive.

I have proper cycling wear. It really makes a difference to comfort. I ordered mine from Fat Lad af the back again expensive but worth it

I'm a fat girl and love fat gal at the back clothes and the fuck and quirky foska jerseys. A decent bike is a huge neve fit and great investment. There are so many fantastic routes and it's great for weight loss and general fitness overall.

Well done and don't give a shit about others is the judge, small minded twats should be ignored. Happy to give any help on bikes, apps, routes, clothes etc of I can? Been cycling for years now