A Fat Boy Returns

howiejmidlands
howiejmidlands Posts: 389
edited December 2008 in Road beginners
I am returning to my first love, road cycling after a long lay off, so long the whole world of road cycling is a total mystery to me now, well almost.
I think i know where i will be sourcing my new road steed, but, and its a big but, to go with my very big BUTT.
You see, i have added a few pounds since i last straddled a bike, so now i am over 19 stone!! I know i will lose this pretty quickly, but i am having problems sourcing fat boys clothing. I need size 42 waist shorts etc, and XXL jerseys, and most of the bike clothing goes up to L or size 38!! Am i the only blubber boy looking to get back to 9stone dripping wet, or are there any sourcs of clothing for the larger framed chappie like myself.
And finally, i have a question on wheels. Although this fat boy has a bit of a tummy, the old legs and back are in fine condition thanks to considerable army training and gym work. Would i need to look at specialist wheels, as i think the first major effort out of the saddle, i may ping a spoke, or am i being optimistic here?
Any comments, genuine or funny, are welcome as you cannot upset a big fat scouser!!!
Just a fat bloke on a bike

Comments

  • nferrar
    nferrar Posts: 2,511
    Are you looking for baggy style shorts or lycra? If lycra then I'd go for bib shorts as they don't have a waist as such so are more forgiving of big guts :p If baggy shorts I bought some xxl altura shorts and they were a bit bigger than I was expecting, might still be a little tight for 42" waist though. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... t%20Shorts
    Not tried these but the sizing chart says xxl is 42" http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... l%20Shorts

    I'm still too chubby to go near lycra atm so if that's what you're after I'm sure someone else can help ;)
  • Stabilizers
  • pictit
    pictit Posts: 603
    If you don't have any luck in UK shops try on-line USA shops,they are bound to have a good selection for the 'fuller figure!!:D
  • Been surfing the web and found this site

    http://www.prendas.co.uk

    They sell bib shorts up to 3xxxl and tops up to 6xxxxxxl.
    Tarpaullynn
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Also look at Gore Bike Wear - German sizing so comes up 'big'. www.roseversand.de is an excellent German online shop with a massive clothing selection
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • nickcuk
    nickcuk Posts: 275
    I started out 3.5 months ago about the same size and it was suggested that a spray with a car underbody sealant would do the best job :lol:
  • I woulld need to buy in bulk!!! Have you seen the cost of this stuff! And i guess it tends to stick the the hairy bits too.
    Just a fat bloke on a bike
  • Nuggs
    Nuggs Posts: 1,804
    Holy thread resurrection Batman...
  • Al_38
    Al_38 Posts: 277
    Depending on what wheels are coming on your new bike you might need to look at replacements, but you can always try them and see first. If they do break some suitable alternatives could be something like:
    mavic askiums (people always recommend these as bombproof)
    shimano r550s (I have a set on my winter bike and they have been very reliable - i'm only 11 stone or so but have hit some potholes/kerbs very hard and they have never gone out of true)
    a handbuilt pair - something like shimano 105/ultegra hubs 36 spokes laced 3cross on mavic open pros/cxp33s should be suitably indestructible if well built
    If these really aren't up to the job perhaps look for a cyclo-cross build?
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Al_38

    Dude you are over a year late.....
    I like bikes...

    Twitter
    Flickr
  • Ok ok stop i know i didnt hit my target weight, so hold on.

    I am not giving up.

    Been a little rough here the last 3 months, but now through the other side.
    So just getting back to a little shape, not quite round and fat, mainly oval and plump.Been looking at swapping my groupset from the Felt onto my Casati, which means i can fit a triple to the Felt and hence i can climb a little better, and then i will fit some Mavic carbon wheels i think, but only for very very dry sunny days.

    I improved my VO2 max test last week from 260 to 300 W, i expect the results will be in next months C+ issue.
    I have been naughty in not getting so much road work done, but the weather has been rather poo, but 4 rides a week on the turbo have allowed me to keep the big fat blubber at bay,,,,,,,just.

    So next year is another 12+ sportives, and more weight loss, and a new club to join and enjoy, and to wear more pink lycra (with a hint of sky blue) and i cant bloody wait.

    Mr Redraggon, see you again at the next feed stop on the Fondo CYmru.
    Just a fat bloke on a bike
  • Al_38
    Al_38 Posts: 277
    Al_38

    Dude you are over a year late.....

    ...must read initial thread date first... :oops: where on earth did this come back from?
  • Al_38 wrote:
    Al_38

    Dude you are over a year late.....

    ...must read initial thread date first... :oops: where on earth did this come back from?

    My fault I'm afraid, was trying to link this and other 'cuddly rider seeking cycling gear' threads to a recent one, arsed it up and resurrected this one :oops:
    Tarpaullynn
  • other cuddly rider appreciated it :lol:
  • hisoka
    hisoka Posts: 541
    Cuddly rider, I will have to use that one! Great stuff.
    "This area left purposefully blank"
    Sign hung on my head everyday till noon.

    FCN: 11 (apparently)
  • hisoka wrote:
    Cuddly rider, I will have to use that one! Great stuff.

    Well we might look so 'lithe' on a bike but in bed we're better than a hot water bottle at this time of year :D

    And by the way that's not me blowing my own trumpet, its what my missus reckons and who am I to argue? :wink:
    Tarpaullynn
  • hisoka
    hisoka Posts: 541
    hisoka wrote:
    Cuddly rider, I will have to use that one! Great stuff.

    Well we might look so 'lithe' on a bike but in bed we're better than a hot water bottle at this time of year :D

    And by the way that's not me blowing my own trumpet, its what my missus reckons and who am I to argue? :wink:


    WHAHAHAHAHAHA sounds true.
    "This area left purposefully blank"
    Sign hung on my head everyday till noon.

    FCN: 11 (apparently)