I rode my Bike "Schmalts"

[Moosie]

I probably hate riding my bike more then you hate running or swimming

With the I.M. 70.3 ~ 3.5 weeks away now, I got out for the first time on the bike. I just did 30 miles and did 16MPH (roughly) I can say My upper back hurts and the back of the Nutz...... Fighting headwind, bumpy roads and traffic. Who likes to bike ? Sucks it's the longest leg in the race at 56 miles. *sigh*

 

[genesis273]

I`d rather ride my bike than run or swim! I don`t ride like I use to but I enjoy it. When I was riding the most, it was 15 miles a day. Once you can ride 5 miles straight and it not bother you, you can ride forever!

 

[WV Hunter]

That's a lot of saddle time. I like biking but I am usually just riding for leisure with the family.

I did find a local triathalon event I am going to enter. It's a little different. 4.2 mile run, 4.2 mile kayak and 16 mile bike. I'll try one with swimming next year.

 

[Moosie]

WV.... I wonder where you got the Info on the race

What's the issue is wind and weight. I'm at 210# and pushing that up a hill just isn't fun. People pay a lot of money to shave a pound off a bike. My buddy rides at 159#. It would be like him having a 50# sand bag on his bike. I am a bit taller but I don't think the couple exra inches in length make up for the weight.

(YAh, I realize what I wrote, no need to quote it )

I need a bigger seat.... and a motor on my bike

 

[WV Hunter]

WV.... I wonder where you got the Info on the race

I appreciate it O. Gives me a goal to work towards. Beats running just for the heck of it or the occasional 5K.

Keep up the hard work. Maybe in a couple of years I can give something like that a shot.

 

[noharleyyet]

I need a bigger seat.... and a motor on my bike

...here ya go Oscar. Comfortable seat, 110 cubic inches.:hump:

 

[Moosie]

NoHar, I wonder what they would say if I put the front tire of that on the Bike rack along with all the Peddal bikes

WV, Don't be a puss, come do the IM 70.3 here in Idaho next year. Bring the wife and make a vacation out of it.

 

[genesis273]

What's the issue is wind and weight. I'm at 210# and pushing that up a hill just isn't fun. People pay a lot of money to shave a pound off a bike. My buddy rides at 159#. It would be like him having a 50# sand bag on his bike. I am a bit taller but I don't think the couple exra inches in length make up for the weight.

160 lbs is my weight also. It probably would be a bit easier 50lbs lighter.

 

[schmalts]

You probably do not need a bigger seat, maybe a smaller one and you have to realize that you need to break in your ass on that thing. A seat that is too wide feels great for 5 miles but the chaffing you will get on 56 miles will be really bad. You need a seat that has you sitting on your "sit bones" on the padded part and not much more. Most guys have narrow sit bones and it is just a matter of toughening up that part of your ass and the same goes for your back. Buddy, i cannot stress enough how much it is worth it to get a professional fitting on your bike and a good seat (you may try 3-5 before you find the right one). If your seat is too far back or forward, to low or high, bar stem too long, it all makes for pain on a bike on long rides. Plus getting your legs at the proper angle and geometry between the pedals and seat is important to get that sweet spot for maximum power. Too low of a seat and you will have knee pain. To low of a cadence you will have knee pain. Most guys who start out riding (me included) pedal waaay to slow. You want to have an average of around 90RPMs on that thing. Take some time to ride and look at the minutes while counting your pedal strokes. Get 90 in by the time that minute is over keep shifting while riding on hills and wind to maintain that 90RPM in the comfortable range and ignore your speed. You will last longer without bonking as it is easier to pedal faster with less resistance than to go slow with hard resistance. It takes some time to get used to it but it will come. I know you hate the biking part but if you stick to it you will like it better than running is my guess, i really do mean that. That nice wind going over you to keep you cool, following a hot chick and watch that ass, it's all good.
I have a seat I could send you to try out if you want, if you like it you know what to buy, if not, your not out anything but the cost to ship the thing back to me but DO NOT try some big fat azzed tractor seat, it will HURT you in the end on long rides. Do you have proper riding shorts?? that also makes a huge difference in the chaffing. There is a reason we wear those gay looking shorts, and it isn't for looks.
As far as finding out the width of your sit bones to get a proper seat I have some really neat tricks for measuring them i learned from some pros. You take some of your kids Play-dough and put it in a zip lock bad so it flattens out to about a half inch thick when flat. Get naked, and carefully sit on that bag on a closed toilet lid being careful to be leaning forward like you are on your bike and your sit bone will protrude like on your bike. sit there a little bit than be careful and lift straight up off the seat and look at the bag. the play-dough will have 2 very easy to see spots where your sit bones squished all the PD away. Measure the center to center distance of those spots and that is your proper sit bone width. Now take a look at your seat and compare the most padded part to see how that matches up to the dough test. You will probably see a wider seat will not be the answer. maybe even a smaller one.
A coach for biking would prescribe core work outs 2 times a week on a ball to help you with the back pain. I don't do it, i just put up with the pain and it goes away after a few hundred miles of riding in the spring anyway.

 

[schmalts]

And as far as hills go... yea a fat ass has a hard time with hills. That is one reason you do intervals and look for hills to train on. Those high dollar bikes that are 4 pounds less than yours will not give you much advantage, but losing 4 pounds will... If you are going to spend money to lighten up a bike for hill climbing the best money spent is in the wheels and tires as they are a rotational mass but those light wheels for a guy your size would need to be trued a lot if you have crappy roads.
I went with a carbon frame and bars not for weight, but for comfort as it eliminates a lot of road buzz into your hands. But aluminum is just as light but not a great ride.

 

[Moosie]

Although I do appreciate the Info..... Some part of me keeps thinking I'm getting punked

 

[WV Hunter]

WV, Don't be a puss, come do the IM 70.3 here in Idaho next year. Bring the wife and make a vacation out of it.

and a challenge emerges.........

Actually that sounds like a heck of a goal and a good time. Let me ponder on that

 

[Grady]

and a challenge emerges.........

Actually that sounds like a heck of a goal and a good time. Let me ponder on that

You should do it.

They're alot of fun-if you're somewhat prepared. Hear that Moosie?

: )

And much easier to train for than the full distance.

Schmalts- great bike fitting dissertation. I hadn't heard of the play-doh test.

Oscar, you might try a thin neoprene seat cover instead of a wider saddle. QR makes a good one. Or get fitted professionally. But don't be changing too much this close to the race.

Just my .02

 

[Moosie]

Sing it fella's :

IF you want my Body... AND you think I'm Sexy.......

BOOOOYAHHHHHHH !!!!!!!! I officially look gay like Schmalts

 

[WV Hunter]

Nice bike......you look like a blueberry..........FROOT!!!

 

[idnative1948]

Nice bike......you look like a blueberry..........FROOT!!!

TF Funny!!

 

[IdahoBugler]

Nice bike......you look like a blueberry..........FROOT!!!

That or a smurf. That is one outfit you will never catch me wearing.

 

[Moosie]

Or Papa Smurf ?

I'm makeing Blue look SEXY !!!!!

I jsut wish I could ride as Fast as how Cool I look ........ :hump: :hump:

 

[mtmiller]

I just threw-up a little in my mouth.

 

[Moosie]

I just threw-up a little in my mouth.

MtMiller.... then did you Swallow it ? Just wondering... I heard that about you.