6'4" & 20st noob saying hello...

Grenouille

Hi! I just picked up my new hybrid yesterday, a Boardman comp and will be starting cycling to work when I get back from France in 2 weeks (I'm staying near to Mont Ventoux, a famous mountain stage in the Tour de France). I have been doing a few miles round my town over the last couple of weeks on my Saracen Mantra MTB and have got from a starting weight of 20.1 stone to 19.6 stone in that time. I'm looking forward to getting down some more over the coming months. I took the Boardman out for a spin this morning and shaved off just over 2 minutes from my previous best time over my usual 6.5 mile circuit

http://app.strava.com/athletes/422956

My ride to work will be about 8.5 miles so the distance is not too bothersome, there are a couple of big hills though...I'm hoping my lighter bike will help haul my fat ass up them easier!

UndercoverElephant

Hello there. Are you wearing a cape in your avatar? If so, I think a CX bike may have been a better choice.

Grenouille

Haha, no that's a hoodie I was wearing for a self portrait I shot.

SimonAH

Go for it it mate! Welcome, and let us know how you get on :-D

apreading

Excellent work. This time last year I was 6'2" & 18st and after losing half a stone on my MTB through regular training and diet, I to bought a Boardman Hybrid (the team version) - it has helped me lost another 3.5 stone since then! So it does work.

What you will really notice make the hills easier is every time you lose some weight. You may find the hills harder to start with because the Hybrid gears probably dont go as low as your MTB. But persevere (and buy a 32 tooth cassette if you REALLY need lower gears) and it will pay off. Early on, I was training 5-6 times a week on an 11.5mile loop with 1 gradual but long hill and 2 sharp but short ones. So I guess not too dissimilar to your commute.

I noticed every pound of weight that I lost on the hills before I noticed it on the scales - the difference was appreciable!

Keep on riding!

Grenouille

Thanks. I'm still getting used to the terminology in the cycling world...3 weeks ago my knowledge of bikes was zero...it's not much better now but I'm getting there!

Grenouille

apreading wrote:

Excellent work. This time last year I was 6'2" & 18st and after losing half a stone on my MTB through regular training and diet, I to bought a Boardman Hybrid (the team version) - it has helped me lost another 3.5 stone since then! So it does work.

What you will really notice make the hills easier is every time you lose some weight. You may find the hills harder to start with because the Hybrid gears probably dont go as low as your MTB. But persevere (and buy a 32 tooth cassette if you REALLY need lower gears) and it will pay off. Early on, I was training 5-6 times a week on an 11.5mile loop with 1 gradual but long hill and 2 sharp but short ones. So I guess not too dissimilar to your commute.

I noticed every pound of weight that I lost on the hills before I noticed it on the scales - the difference was appreciable!

Keep on riding!

Oh yes, I've changed my diet too, smaller portions, cutting out bread as much as possible.

Glad to know there are others who started the same as me.

Yes, the hybrid's gears are a lot different - I used to find life quite easy on the top gear of the MTB - the Boardman top gear is a lot higher and harder to turn...but quicker once you get up to speed. I found with the MTB that I couldn't pedal fast enough on down slopes so I was speed restricted...not that I have the stamina yet to keep it going at speed for long.

Oh and one other question - Bar Ends? Worth spending a few bob on?

UndercoverElephant

Grenouille wrote:

Glad to know there are others who started the same as me.

I think we can do better than that, meet our friend Gaz:

http://theamazing39stonecyclist.wordpress.com/

You're half the man he was. Almost exactly.

EKE_38BPM

Grenouille wrote:

Bar Ends? Worth spending a few bob on?

Welcome.

I'd say yes. They give you options for hand positions, so could help to relieve any ache you get from riding in one position for a long time.

Your next bike will have drop handlebars. Guaranteed!

Grenouille

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Grenouille wrote:

Glad to know there are others who started the same as me.

I think we can do better than that, meet our friend Gaz:

http://theamazing39stonecyclist.wordpress.com/

You're half the man he was. Almost exactly.

Wow!

Grenouille

EKE_38BPM wrote:

Grenouille wrote:

Bar Ends? Worth spending a few bob on?

Welcome.

I'd say yes. They give you options for hand positions, so could help to relieve any ache you get from riding in one position for a long time.

Your next bike will have drop handlebars. Guaranteed!

Haha...I'm already looking! Although I'm sure SWMBO would have something to say about that!

MonkeyMonster

Grenouille wrote:

EKE_38BPM wrote:

Grenouille wrote:

Bar Ends? Worth spending a few bob on?

Welcome.
I'd say yes. They give you options for hand positions, so could help to relieve any ache you get from riding in one position for a long time.
Your next bike will have drop handlebars. Guaranteed!

Haha...I'm already looking! Although I'm sure SWMBO would have something to say about that!

Bar ends will help going up the hills, that is what they are for - so you can brace your arms against using your upper body to help yank yourself up...

richVSrich

hello and welcome!

i've had my boardman hybrid almost two years now, and just did my triathlon using it on the weekend... (whilst in the middle of fighting off a virus...)

bar ends do help - i've wrapped mine in some bar tape for comfort

my next bike will be a full carbon roadie most likely

CiB

apreading wrote:

Excellent work. This time last year I was 6'2" & 18st...Keep on riding!

Blimey. I read the first post then saw this and thought OP had grown 2" and put on a couple of stone in a year. Good effort...

Welcome Grenouille. Save yourself a few years of faffing about with inconsequential incremental upgrades and get yourself a lightweight road bike, and lie to OH if she questions it. You'll have one anyway; may as well get on with it.

DonDaddyD

Welcome. Your avatar reminds me of the Sith.

veronese68

Well done, enjoy and another yes to bar ends.

iclestu

Grenouille wrote:

Hi! I just picked up my new hybrid yesterday, a Boardman comp and will be starting cycling to work when I get back from France in 2 weeks (I'm staying near to Mont Ventoux, a famous mountain stage in the Tour de France). I have been doing a few miles round my town over the last couple of weeks on my Saracen Mantra MTB and have got from a starting weight of 20.1 stone to 19.6 stone in that time. I'm looking forward to getting down some more over the coming months. I took the Boardman out for a spin this morning and shaved off just over 2 minutes from my previous best time over my usual 6.5 mile circuit

http://app.strava.com/athletes/422956

My ride to work will be about 8.5 miles so the distance is not too bothersome, there are a couple of big hills though...I'm hoping my lighter bike will help haul my fat ass up them easier!

ahhh - best thing i ever did was buy my Hybrid. I used to call it a BSO but i have a growing affection for it. Stick at it mate, benefits are immense. You remind me of this day:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40012&t=12628109

EKE_38BPM

iclestu wrote:

ahhh - best thing i ever did was buy my Hybrid. I used to call it a BSO but i have a growing affection for it. Stick at it mate, benefits are immense. You remind me of this day:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40012&t=12628109

Great first post Iclestu. I don't think your bike is a BSO. Not a dream machine, but not a BSO either.

I look forward to Grenouille posts in the future as he really gets bitten by the bug. Next stop: lycra!

Grenouille

DonDaddyD wrote:

Welcome. Your avatar reminds me of the Sith.

Not a bad call...maybe I am a dark lord of cycling...;)

Grenouille

EKE_38BPM wrote:

Next stop: lycra!

I er...might already have some...

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone too.