I just wanna say thanks riding!

[Chuck]

Now Chuck, I think you should start to take note of some of these inspirational stories and maybe ditch the scooter and get a proper bike.
I now there is a hunk in that body of yours somewhere. so bring him out chuck and show the world that you can do it.

Your sources are good Apple. Will you leave Zozz for me if I drop a few kg's

[Chuck]

That isn't quite how I'd been picturing you Chuck!

That isn't how I picture myself either Julie....

[lovemybike]

[novice]

Great work Comedian and others.
A fantastic journey.
Will add my list soon as my anniversary is on May 1st.

[colhil]

Congratulations to everyone who has posted their tale. Here's mine.......

I started cycling in November 2007 and weighed 110kgs. My first ride was 14km and I had to lie down for 1/2 an hour after it. Have done nearly 25,000 kms since then and now weigh 85kgs.

My proudest achievement is encouraging 2 mates to try it. They are now hooked as well and have lost as much weight as me.

[cavebear2]

That's great mate!

How about some more lists!

OK.... a quick summary in numbers.

Since my first century ride on 22/12/07:
100's x103
161's x17
200's x36
300's x13 (best time 12.5 hrs, hilly & solo)
400's x8
600's x4 (x2 team rides in 24hr)
1200's x1 (1,261km (48hr riding time) over 85 hr incl 13hr sleep and another 24 hrs at controls/eating/chatting etc.

Started commuting 19/10/04 after walking Bibbulman bushwalking track 960 km in 42 days
2004/5 5,010 km (only commuting)
2005/6 6,106 km (only commuting)
2006/7 13,089 km
2007/8 14,327 km (started Audax ride near the end of this period)
2008/9 18,325 km
2009/10 25,825 km (30,037 km in 2010 calender year, x18 200's, x6 300's, x3 400's, x3 600's, x1 1200's)
2010/11 13,818 km (19/10/10 to 14/4/11)

Not far to 100,000 km now...

[Comedian]

@novice... I can't wait mate to see your list! Super impressive stuff.

@Colhil... Amazing. why don't more people do this?

@Cavebear2... considered joining the 10k club

[Apple]

Your sources are good Apple. Will you leave Zozz for me if I drop a few kg's

Sure but you will have to ditch Julie

[lovemybike]

Your sources are good Apple. Will you leave Zozz for me if I drop a few kg's

Sure but you will have to ditch Julie

Oi! I'm staying with Chuck as long as he gets a new bike

[zozza]

That isn't quite how I'd been picturing you Chuck!

That is how I picture myself Julie....



Giddyup Chuck

[lovemybike]

That isn't quite how I'd been picturing you Chuck!

That is how I picture myself Julie....



Giddyup Chuck

Apple and I are gonna be fighting over you boys Ride 'em cowboy!

[Apple]

That isn't quite how I'd been picturing you Chuck!

That is how I picture myself Julie....



Giddyup Chuck

I have changed my mind julie, I think I will stay with ZZZZZZZZZZZooooooooooooZZZZZZZZZZZZaaa. I love a party animal.
And zozza the boob needs a bra.

Christine said you can use hers as the cup is to big for her. Until we get you the Mansiere".

[lovemybike]

So that means I'm stuck with Chuck and the minibike?! I'm not happy about that minibike

BTW I'm now picturing Zozza with the FPR boys wearing his new bra...they'll be so impressed! Thoughtful of you Apple

[leighthebee]

That isn't quite how I'd been picturing you Chuck!

That is how I picture myself Julie....



Giddyup Chuck

Way too much sideboob....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LOBEdSE ... re=related

[Tim]

Close to one year back on a bike and whilst I can't claim anywhere near the huge success of Tim and Comedian and others, I have none-the-less managed to;

-Reduce my cholesterol level from 7.0 to 3.9, in conjunction with a much improved diet and a keen interest in all things "good health" related.
-Give up smoking.
-Convert myself from 65kg's of poor health to 64kg's of good health (I hope). From being a worn out, burnt out 48 year old carpenter, sore in almost every joint, to a flexible, fit and
much less sore ambulanceman.
-Reduce stress and worry levels considerably. With two immediate family members stricken with cancers and one already passed from the same cause, hopefully I've reduced my
likelihood of getting it and can at least cope with the present family situation.
-Built up a mental resilience that seems to correspond to the building physical improvement. The depression has eased enormously.
-Developed a much more positive outlook.
-Become totally obsessed with a good obsession: CYCLING and bikes.
-Bought a kayak to balance the below the waist muscle gain with upper body strength
-Rekindled a love for life, the outdoors and my family.

I could prattle on endlessly about all the improvements but basically I have much to be grateful for and cycling kicked the whole lot off, and keeps it going.

[Comedian]

That's really great Tim. It's not all about weight loss. That's a great result.

[novice]

Thoroughly enjoying my riding at the moment.
I am on leave from work for ten days until end of Easter.
Needed to get away for a bit as the stress and bulldust is making me question why I go to work everyday.
Have been riding with the local veteran bunch every morning at 8am and doing about 70-75 klm each ride and finish at the coffee shop for a couple of caffeine fixes and a fruit bun.
We sit there for a couple of hours just chin wagging and watching the world go by and I have really enjoyed it.
These guys are either retired, self employed or are shift workers.
What a great life they have and it is making me wonder how life would be if I took a job with less responsibility and stress (and less pay) and try to enjoy a better life balance.
A great bunch of fellas who love a bit of fun and banter and is just the trick to make you forget about the worries of the world for a little while.

[Apple]

Thoroughly enjoying my riding at the moment.
I am on leave from work for ten days until end of Easter.
Needed to get away for a bit as the stress and bulldust is making me question why I go to work everyday.
Have been riding with the local veteran bunch every morning at 8am and doing about 70-75 klm each ride and finish at the coffee shop for a couple of caffeine fixes and a fruit bun.
We sit there for a couple of hours just chin wagging and watching the world go by and I have really enjoyed it.
These guys are either retired, self employed or are shift workers.
What a great life they have and it is making me wonder how life would be if I took a job with less responsibility and stress (and less pay) and try to enjoy a better life balance.
A great bunch of fellas who love a bit of fun and banter and is just the trick to make you forget about the worries of the world for a little while.

That is sweet novice,
Use you’re riding as your time, so your job is stressful, but you can handle it and I bet you do a great job. So I say treat yourself for a ride when not working and enjoy the feeling it provides you with. When you are working the endorphins will make you deal with the work.

[waramatt]

Comedian - thanks for putting a huge smile on my face (and obviously many others) - good to know I'm not alone in by cycling obsession!

TimW - inspirational! The pics say it all.

I'll add a few of my own.

Started cycling seriously 20 months ago after being a runner for 15 years. No weight loss, but legs stronger now than ever before.
Went Ten Pin bowling with family a few weeks ago for first time since beginning cycling. Used to bowl at ave. speed of 22 km/h - now doing it at 32 km/h - so must be good for upper body strength too! (But hasn't helped my scores!!)
Must have cycled 80% of streets in lower Hunter. Working on the remaining 20%.
Have purchased 5 bikes (oh god that sounds so bad) and built one.
Competed in half a dozen organised events in some sensational locations.
Now take my bike on most holidays, and take more holiday pics of bike than of my partner (sorry luv!)
Now comfortable being categorised as a MAMIL
Now that I commute to work most days I'm in a better mod when I start each day, and when I finish as I have something to look forward to.
Have clocked up almost 20,000 km in that time.
I now travel more km by bike than I do by car.
Am also on the business plan of my LBS.
My courier tells my missus "Wiggle package for Matthew......AGAIN!!"

This is fun.....

[novice]

Well I guess its my turn as today is 12 months since I decided to change my life and got on a bike.
I had not been on a bike since I was 15 years old.
I was just about to turn 50 and was grossly over weight at 146.7 kg and very unfit.
I suffered from high blood pressure and chronic sleep apnea.
Everything was a chore and I was uncomfortable being in public.
When I had to travel on aircraft, I would need to ask for a seat belt extender and I could never drink or eat on a plane because I could not fold down the tray because of my size.

So what have I achieved since then you ask?
Purchased a very strong mountain bike.
Got laughed at or being a fat old guy in lycra when I first started. (Who's laughing now huh?)
I have riden 10554 klm in 12 months.
I have lost 38.1 kilos.
Gone from size 5XL to XL.
Riden in rain, sleet, frosty -5 degree temperatures, pee soup fog and total darkness.
Met some really great local people who encouraged me to keep going until I could get on a road bike and join their group rides.
Purchased a very expensive Carbon Road Bike (belated mid life crisis)
Now have normal blood pressure and my doctor has taken me off all medications.
Did 711 klm in 12 days.
Made a huge donation of over sized clothes to St Vinnies.
Joind a bike users group.
Shaved my legs (don't laugh).
Learned that you can enjoy nice food as long as it fits inside the blue ring on the small plate my wife got me. If it don't fit, you don't eat it.
Increased our weekly grocery bill. (yes thats correct, fruit, veggies and anything with a red tick or low fat does cost more)
Able to see body parts that I have not seen for while (kept that as clean as I could)
Riden in a huge group (60 riders) in a charity event.
Drank about 20 litres of latte at the coffee shop.
Thinking about buying a third bike. shhhhh don't tell the missus.
Had two clip stacks, wore out a set of tires, had two punctures, abused twice by motorists and cliped on the elbow by a polititions car.
Spent a small fortune on cycling clothing and upgraditis.
Blew up my PC from over use on cycling forums.
Met heaps of people on the forums that have helped me tremendously.
Inspired two work companions to buy bikes and get fit.
Made my big sister so proud that she cried when she saw my picture in the local paper on a charity ride.
Finaly can go out in public and not feel ashamed of how I look.
I can buy normal clothes off the rack. (you have no idea how good that feels)
Have now set up my life change to be a normal daily routine.
Hopefully added 20 years or more to my life.
I can put the tray down when travelling on a plane and the seat belt fits with room to spare.
So here is the result so far ... and I am not finished yet!

Here are some before & after photo's,

[zero]

Now have normal blood pressure and my doctor has taken me off all medications.

wow. Most people don't ever go back from that.

[TimW]

Novice TOP JOB, You are a Legend, and again proof that IT CAN BE DONE.Tim

[lovemybike]

Novice TOP JOB, You are a Legend, and again proof that IT CAN BE DONE.Tim

Same from me amazing Novice!! Well done, you look fantastic. Never give up

[Ken Ho]

Novice, you are a total inspiration.
I'm picking up a nice roadie on Tuesday, and your story has been a massive inspiration to me, and I'm not fat or unhealthy. I just want to lose about 5-6 kg. The missus picked up hers today,so we can ride together.
Nice pic at Byron. If you come up this way again, PM me, and I'll buy you a latte.
My goal now is to do the 100km return ride from home to Byron. I'm aiming to do that in the next 3/12.

[Apple]

NOVICE, wow looking good

Learned that you can enjoy nice food as long as it fits inside the blue ring on the small plate my wife got me. If it don't fit, you don't eat it.

I just love this part. above. The truth of weight loss.