Cycling when you are fat?

[ohoneohtwo]

Does anybody who is very overweight use a bike?

I'm 19 stone currently losing weight every week and just wondering if I should get the old bike out of the garage and give it a go. DS has recently taken up cycling and is happy to go with me for moral support, apparently a fat woman on
a bike isn't as uncommon as I imagine but I'm still a bit unsure!

Yes cycling is a good place to start I find it less stressful on joints and between helmet/sun glasses am unrecognisable:)

My DH is overweight, around 17 stone I think (he’s not tall) and we go cycling all the time. He finds it much easier on his joints than walking, so we’re able to exercise for longer.

I'm a similar weight and am also thinking about getting on a bike again after 30 years! I just hope it's true that you never forget how to cycle!

DH and I saw a lady of generous proportions out cycling this evening and both said to each other, "good on her, I bet that is much better on her joints than jogging, I'm glad lockdown had made it more normal to see all shapes and sizes out exercising." Go for it, cycling gives you a sense of achievement as you can go further and try a wider variety of routes than just walking.

I am also desperately keen to go on a bike but anxious. Thinking about going early morning when it is quieter.

I used to be nearly 21stone, am now 12 stone. And yes the cycling helped. Plus it is fun.

Get yourself out there OP!! Just build your confidence up a bit on the roads etc then there will be no stopping you!! Good luck!!

There's a cycling brand called Fat Lad at the Back, and they have the most incredibly supportive FB group for cyclists of all sizes - their kit goes up to a ladies size 26, mens chest 58". My dh is a big bloke (48" chest) and does 100 mile cycles, when in 2014 he was exhausted after 3 miles

Yes currently 17stone and I go out on my road bike and so 10 or 20 mile rides, just need fo get my food under control

I dont worry what people think when they see me and I wear the lycra too

Ive tried to fins a bike, and googled for what is a ģood one. Apparently many wheels arent designed for a heavier person and some frames.

I've wondered about an ebike as you can ease yourself into it, but they're quite pricy.

I also remember my bum hurting on the saddle and that would put me off.

I kind of need a fat person bike consultant!

It's a great low impact exercise, only beaten by swimming. So yes, go for it!

I would really encourage you to go for it. I'm 15 stone now and can cycle for miles but I started at 17 stone and only able to manage a couple of miles. I only ever went out early in the morning to avoid being seen but now I have gained confidence and cycle anytime and anywhere really.
I love it and my legs look fantastic!

I would suggest you look up the fat lad cycling group on fb for advice if you are on fb too. They offer great advice to novices and lots of encouragement too.

Can I politely suggest you get yourself a very cushiony gel seat cover. Less than a tenner but will stop you giving up too soon because of saddle soreness. Good luck!

Took up cycling last summer at 16 stone and have lost 3 stone. Did sofa to saddle and now regularly cycle 45 miles around our local hills. D2D cycling are great for inexpensive cycling clothing. I find bib style shorts/tights are much more comfy and flattering than waist shorts.

Ps your bum will hurt in the beginning but the more you cycle the more you'll get used to it.

@PineappleUpsideDownCake this might help you. Liv is Giant's women's bike range and they are amongst the most popular women's bikes around. The maximum recommended rider weights are around 20 -21 stone for most models in their range.
www.tredz.co.uk/help-advice/product-help/sizing/brand/liv

I am a size 24, 19stone, 6ft. I cycle roughly 60-70km a week, usually 20-30km each ride. I use D2D 3/4 length bib 'shorts' or sometimes their actual bib shorts. I found fat lad at the back was designed for some one rather shorter than me, and they are cheaper! I wear a tunic style sports top with them rather than a skin tight cycling jersey for training and a cycling jersey for sportives. I can now climb the worst hills in my area, although it took a bit of practice.
I ride a road bike and a mountain bike depending on the terrain.
Hasn't done much for my weight but has been amazing for fitness. I now have muscles.
I've had my bikes for years-a steel frame 'giant' mountain bike and aluminium frame 'specialised' road bike. Never had a problem with them, don't worry about your weight unless you head towards carbon fibre bikes

Oh wow, lots of fab replies!

I'm definitely going to do it - my bike is a few years old but the weight limit is fortunately bigger than me makes a change, I hadn't even thought about clothes either! Off to look for some right now

And get on Strava (app/website) to record your rides. It measures your time over various segments. Ignore the rankings of what others are doing just watch yourself get faster and keep track of how far you've gone, it helps keep you going.

Great idea

Really good way to get your fitness up, lose weight and boost your mental health.

I was cycling at 18 stone. It’s good low impact cardio and better for ankles than walking at that size. Knees may need to get used to it though! Better to do short rides initially.

I’d advice getting a decent seat when you can if you’ve got a generic thin one on your bike. I got one which was much bigger in the bum area.

Like this

[[https://www.sportsdirect.com/muddyfox-tour-saddle-937821?gclid=Cj0KCQjwuJz3BRDTARIsAMg-HxX7L9XD7V1-yh9yFrTMW82PGOi5heQZZT5_lGvcn1U4MAmGEaJFM1YaAvTgEALw_wcB#colcode=93782103]]

Also a padded gel cover. Be prepared for the kicked in the arse by a horse feeling when you sit down for a while but it soon goes!

Oh, and once things get a bit more back to normal again, have a look for Breeze rides in your area. These are free, women only rides with trained leaders, and they are a great way to build your confidence and meet new people. Nobody ever gets left behind and you get the benefits of riding in a group without having to commit to anything regular. I've made some brilliant friends through Breeze and discovered lovely routes close to where I live that I never knew existed. Certainly in our area there are women of all ages, shapes and sizes riding all kinds of bikes and everyone looks after each other. They aren't running at present, but hopefully they will start up again in the not too distant future.

Op you know when you hear horror stories about the abuse from dickheads some people get when they take up running, well I find that after only 10 minutes of cycling and the endorphins kick in - I feel like the queen of the world and the rest of the world can just eat my shorts. Go for it.

Yes I didn’t get any comments cycling, stupid comments and beeps now I jog as well mind, just the odd encouraging smile when I was huffing and puffing up a —very small— hill!