Hardest Working Lycra EVER!!

Midnight64

Much kudos to:

desultory

Don't really see the point in wearing the Lycra..

Midnight64

desultory wrote: »

Don't really see the point in wearing the Lycra..

Just try and imagine what would happen without it!

desultory

Midnight64 wrote: »

Just try and imagine what would happen without it!

A t shirt? Might not show every single shape of his body. That's about the only thing I could imagine would happen.

Lumen

Oh I see, it's funny because he is fat.

ford2600

Lumen wrote: »

Oh I see, it's funny because he is fat.

I've always been lean and obviously find it easy whether I do stupid length cycles or not.

However I have good friends/family for whom it's not so easy.

The only thing that is comparable in my admiration for heavy/obese people doing ROK/Dublin City Marathon or whatever is my dislike for lads who think it a great laugh to sneer at them

dave_o_brien

ford2600 wrote: »

The only thing that is comparable in my admiration for heavy/obese people doing ROK/Dublin City Marathon or whatever is my dislike for lads who think it a great laugh to sneer at them

+1

NeedMoreGears

I wish I was cycling in the sunshine with me mates instead of being stuck in here

happytramp

Guy on the bike > Guy on the internet making fun of him

Midnight64

Actually, I believe the most important part of the picture is the wording over the top of the image.

I am only a bit smaller than this guy and I applaud him. And get the smile on his face.

happytramp

Midnight64 wrote: »

Actually, I believe the most important part of the picture is the wording over the top of the image.

Agree, It's actually a very inspiring image/message.

Zyzz

ford2600 wrote: »

I've always been lean and obviously find it easy whether I do stupid length cycles or not.

However I have good friends/family for whom it's not so easy.

The only thing that is comparable in my admiration for heavy/obese people doing ROK/Dublin City Marathon or whatever is my dislike for lads who think it a great laugh to sneer at them

One doesn't get fat/heavy/obese overnight.

rollingscone

It's also a fairly old Meme. Certainly not its first appearance on this forum.

dave_o_brien

Zyzz wrote: »

One doesn't get fat/heavy/obese overnight.

One doesn't lose several stone with the purchase of a bike and bib shorts either. One makes choices. This one's made a good choice. How anyone thinks it's ok to slag him is beyond me.

Midnight64

I allowed myself to get overweight over a period of several years and took the decision to do something about it and bought a bike (or "pie removal device" as I called it). I am working (not as hard as I should) but have currently lost about 8 kg and I still have a way to go. I even refer to myself as the Lycra Hippo.

As the OP it was not my intention to poke fun at the guy in the picture but to say I know why he has a smile on his face but I probably should have used different wording.

cdaly_

I used to see a seriously obese woman on my commute trundling along on a cheap BSO. I haven't seen her for some time but I may have seen her this morning but I couldn't be sure because she was so much lighter. She had to start somewhere and like the image posted, just went and did it...

MB Lacey

Midnight64 wrote: »

I allowed myself to get overweight over a period of several years and took the decision to do something about it and bought a bike (or "pie removal device" as I called it). I am working (not as hard as I should) but have currently lost about 8 kg and I still have a way to go. I even refer to myself as the Lycra Hippo.

As the OP it was not my intention to poke fun at the guy in the picture but to say I know why he has a smile on his face but I probably should have used different wording.

Good for you. I'm just back cycling after being out injured for the last 3 months and am self conscious of the weight I've put on over that time - especially when I put on my cycling jerseys.
It's ridiculous, but that's how society/ media have us thinking, that we should be ashamed of any extra bit of weight.

There's a great company (Yorkshire based ) which sells +sizes of cycling gear.
It's called 'Fat Lad at the back'
I'd love to get a 'Fat Lass at the back' jersey but they're not available yet.

tunney

Lumen wrote: »

Oh I see, it's funny because he is fat.

Dude its fecking pink.

Lumen

tunney wrote: »

Dude its fecking pink.

It's you, isn't it?

tunney

Lumen wrote: »

It's you, isn't it?

my doppelganger

Harrybelafonte

Zyzz wrote: »

One doesn't get fat/heavy/obese overnight.

What's your point?

rollingscone

tunney wrote: »

Dude its fecking pink.

Pink is euro!

Zyzz

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

What's your point?

Nobody bats an eyelid when that person is getting obese in the first place, aka my 'becoming fat overnight' comment, but then when they want to make a change even the slightest negative comment and people go on the defensive.

Wheres the support or comments when they are on that journey to 25 stone?

dave_o_brien

Zyzz wrote: »

Nobody bats an eyelid when that person is getting obese in the first place, aka my 'becoming fat overnight' comment, but then when they want to make a change even the slightest negative comment and people go on the defensive.

Wheres the support or comments when they are on that journey to 25 stone?

As someone who went from being 16stone and body fat of 13% to someone of 17stone and body fat of 30%, I can tell you that the comments are all around along the way. It's an incremental process, and you rationalise away all the little elements of it. For me, there was a moment when I said that enough was enough. I'm now 13.5stone.

I'm not saying that I am a "victim", or that I was helpless, or didn't make bad decisions, or whatever. But your attitude, surprisingly, doesn't do anything other than make yourself seen a bit judgemental. That guy, and thousands like him, have made a decision to try to be healthier. Encouragement and support might be more successful than yet more ridicule.

Or you could just insult him because he's fat.

Zyzz

dave_o_brien wrote: »

As someone who went from being 16stone and body fat of 13% to someone of 17stone and body fat of 30%, I can tell you that the comments are all around along the way. It's an incremental process, and you rationalise away all the little elements of it. For me, there was a moment when I said that enough was enough. I'm now 13.5stone.

I'm not saying that I am a "victim", or that I was helpless, or didn't make bad decisions, or whatever. But your attitude, surprisingly, doesn't do anything other than make yourself seen a bit judgemental. That guy, and thousands like him, have made a decision to try to be healthier. Encouragement and support might be more successful than yet more ridicule.

Or you could just insult him because he's fat.

I missed the part where I was insulting him (or the thousands you say I'm being judgemental about)...

dave_o_brien

Zyzz wrote: »

One doesn't get fat/heavy/obese overnight.

That sounds judgemental to me.

Zyzz

dave_o_brien wrote: »

That sounds judgemental to me.

So my comment saying one doesn't go from 10 to 25 stone overnight is judgemental? Right. :rolleyes:

lismuse

@dave_o_brien
How could you go from 13% bf @ 16 stone to 30% bf @ 17 stone ?
If you were 13% @ 16 stone and are now 13.5 stone may I ask what % bf are you now ?
I only ask as I have an interest in these sort of things.

Cyclewizard

Zyzz wrote: »

So my comment saying one doesn't go from 10 to 25 stone overnight is judgemental? Right. :rolleyes:

Yeah but fair play to the guy and others like him. No need to say anything else.

Wishbone Ash

Zyzz wrote: »

One doesn't get fat/heavy/obese overnight.

Indeed but that's what makes it difficult. If one were to discover that one became fat overnight, we wouldn't have an obesity problem.

I have great admiration for those who are obese but who get out there and do it anyway regardless of the perceptions of others. I couldn't do it and would probably wallow in the viscous circle of self pity, eating more and day time TV.

I was heading up to the Sally Gap on Tuesday night and passed a man who was struggling and sweating profusely on that difficult bit above Lough Bray. I find that bit tough going at 75kg - he was about 125kgs. On my way back I met him still plugging away towards the Gap. I wouldn't have that willpower. I would have stayed on the flat and made excuses. Fair play to him.

Cyclewizard

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Indeed but that's what makes it difficult. If one were to discover that one became fat overnight, we wouldn't have an obesity problem.

I have great admiration for those who are obese but who get out there and do it anyway regardless of the perceptions of others. I couldn't do it and would probably wallow in the viscous circle of self pity, eating more and day time TV.

I was heading up to the Sally Gap on Tuesday night and passed a man who was struggling and sweating profusely on that difficult bit above Lough Bray. I find that bit tough going at 75kg - he was about 125kgs. On my way back I met him still plugging away towards the Gap. I wouldn't have that willpower. I would have stayed on the flat. Fair play to him.

Well thats his alpe d'huez right there and fair play to him. I have a mate who gets out every weekend no matter what the weather and struggles / keeps going and I have several others who might look in good shape but who would close the curtains and go back to bed at the first hint of drizzle. I'm absolutely in awe of him at times to be honest. It's like me carrying lead around my wheels and I'd think twice about bothering if I'm honest so anyone who gets out I have as much if not more respect for than any pro blitzing the tours climbs.

dave_o_brien

Zyzz wrote: »

So my comment saying one doesn't go from 10 to 25 stone overnight is judgemental? Right. :rolleyes:

Yes. Your use of smileys doesn't alter that.

BofaDeezNuhtz

aka: The Amazing Shrinking Gaz, The 39-Stone Cyclist, or just “the fat lad on a bike”





http://www.cyclorama.net/blog/cycling-in-action/the-former-39-stone-cyclist/


:cool:

Bloggsie

Midnight64 wrote: »

I allowed myself to get overweight over a period of several years and took the decision to do something about it and bought a bike (or "pie removal device" as I called it). I am working (not as hard as I should) but have currently lost about 8 kg and I still have a way to go. I even refer to myself as the Lycra Hippo.

As the OP it was not my intention to poke fun at the guy in the picture but to say I know why he has a smile on his face but I probably should have used different wording.

fair play midnight64 for getting up & doing something about your size. recent stats in the media show that a large % of irish people are obese & overweight, if more people got off the sofa, put down the creamcakes/chocolates/fastfood or what ever they overload on and get out & did something we would all be a happier lot, from the person themselves to their family & friends.

keep her lit!

dave_o_brien

lismuse wrote: »

@dave_o_brien
How could you go from 13% bf @ 16 stone to 30% bf @ 17 stone ?
If you were 13% @ 16 stone and are now 13.5 stone may I ask what % bf are you now ?
I only ask as I have an interest in these sort of things.

I played rugby, got injured and had to give up, then drank and ate badly for four odd years with no exercise accompanying the lifestyle change. I lost an enormous amount of muscle mass and piled on excess fat

Now I'm about 16-19% body fat, depending.

RonanP77

This had all gotten a bit serious.

My best buddy is 20 stone, I laugh at him for being fat. I'm 5' 6" (he's 5' 10" ish) he laughs at me for being short.

When we started working together he was 17.5 stone and I was 10 stone. I was in serious shape, really fit, really toned, I had a 6 pack.

Fast forward to last Christmas, he was 20 stone, I was 13 stone and my 6 pack had turned into a keg. I laughed at him for being fat and he laughed at me for being short. I was disgusted I had gotten so out if shape so decided to do something about it.

Fast forward again to today. He's 20 stone, I'm 11 stone and the keg is gone. I have a flat stomach now but will probably never have a 6 pack again. I laugh at him for being fat and he laughs at me because I walk/run/cycle. This evening he'll have a take away and a few beer while I run a Duathlon.

When ever I see a fat person in a situation like the bloke in the pic, I picture my buddy in the same situation. That looks funny ( and a little disturbing) to me so I have a little chuckle.

Fair play to anyone who gets out there and gets in shape but unless it's because of some medical condition you have to wonder why anyone would let themselves get into such bad shape in the first place.

Harrybelafonte

After years of playing rugby, long-distance running, climbing I left college at 22 years of age and 12 stone.

Ten years later, a job with ludicrously long hours, a child, a break up, and the depression that followed, a dollop of the general lethargy of the twenties/early thirties mixed with the money to eat whatever I wanted I hit 19.5 stone.

There were comments along the way, but in all honesty, I didn't care. I was never sick, I had lower cholesterol than some of the thinnest people in work. I was well able to rationalise my weight's normality. In any case, being told you're fat isn't an incentive, it's usually said in a manner which increases self-loathing while also affirming one's inability to change the situation. I can't remember what the moment was in which I decided to lose it but...

The determination of someone who is overweight to drop to a healthy weight is massively character building. Yes, they should never have been overweight in the first place and sometimes it's a character flaw, sometimes it's circumstance, but losing it takes a lot of self-will, self-control and determination and a lot of pain. Many none of those strengths were present in the overweight individual, but they sure as hell are by the end. Remember that for every dude/dudette out their sweating through a layer of fat there's another resigned to ferrying their weight around eating cheese puffs and donuts on a couch somewhere.

Obesity is slowing passing out smoking as the Western world's greatest health risk.

Midnight64

Decision made then: If you need me this weekend I'll be on the bike somewhere!! Thanks guys!

krissovo

dave_o_brien wrote: »

I played rugby, got injured and had to give up, then drank and ate badly for four odd years with no exercise accompanying the lifestyle change. I lost an enormous amount of muscle mass and piled on excess fat

Now I'm about 16-19% body fat, depending.

Same story as me, was a 19 stone prop playing senior rugby until my knee went. Went up to 24 stone with drink and bad food but now trying to reverse the process. ROK is my target this year plus sub 100kg.

rollingscone

Suzuki_TL1000R wrote: »

aka: The Amazing Shrinking Gaz, The 39-Stone Cyclist, or just “the fat lad on a bike”

http://www.cyclorama.net/blog/cycling-in-action/the-former-39-stone-cyclist/


:cool:

No helmet or hi vis. He must be suicidal! :rolleyes:

Shared this one on book face. Truly a story of personal excellence.


I've now had two periods of 'Irish lifestyle belly' in my adult life, both following knee injuries after sporting mishaps or excess.

I did whatever training I could in both scenarios;(But not cycling alas) but now in photos I see how pregnant looking I got.

I'm not exactly a ballerina now (I get asked about rugby a lot) but I can run a sub 5 minute kilometre for the first time since my mid 20s and knock out a 20k run with no problems (I avoid the roads though) and cycle 100km with only the climbs bothering me.

It's also worth noting that ours seems to be a generation where people are reaching their peak fitness much later.

cdaly_

rollingscone wrote: »

It's also worth noting that ours seems to be a generation where people are reaching their peak fitness much later.

Which is likely down to our ferrying our kids to school by car and not kicking them out of the house to play at the weekends/evenings.

NeedMoreGears

MB Lacey wrote: »

I'd love to get a 'Fat Lass at the back' jersey but they're not available yet.

I missed the "L" in "Lass" the first time I read that!

Bloggsie

Midnight64 wrote: »

Decision made then: If you need me this weekend I'll be on the bike somewhere!! Thanks guys!

im a 62kg 5ft 7" short arse, when I stopped playing soccer I didnt put on much weight, but i did lose a lot of fitness, now I have a 2 & a half year old at home & running around after him is a terrific workout, but I find that as he gets older I am getting much more out of breath chasing & playing football etc.
I enjoy the headspace solo cycling offers, I have done a couple of group spins & I enjoyed them but I prefer being able to do my own thing, my mantra of "go as hard as you can for as long as you can" cant really be expecting others to do the same, plus most people I know who cycle would leave me in their dust!
my goals for cycling are slighty different to the OP in so far as I want to increase fitness & being stuck in an office 5 days a week its good to get out in the openair. What ever your reason for hopping on a bike, go for it, I reaslise now I should have done it years ago, the happiness I get from doing it is brilliant

Midnight64

125 kg down to 117 kg 6ft (feel sorry for the bike yet?). I have tried to get cycling with a group but the times never suit so I will keep plugging away on my own.

Smaller portions is also helping - I do miss those pies though!!

The only thing I worry about are the local drivers who have a less than appreciative attitude to the amount of space that a cyclist should be given, particularly ones with my beam, and have got a couple of scars on my right elbow from strategically located wing mirrors already!!

Lumen

Midnight64 wrote: »

The only thing I worry about are the local drivers who have a less than appreciative attitude to the amount of space that a cyclist should be given, particularly ones with my beam, and have got a couple of scars on my right elbow from strategically located wing mirrors already!!

There's a solution for that. Think of it as arse-whiskers for a bike.

Johnny Jukebox

Midnight64 wrote: »

125 kg down to 117 kg 6ft (feel sorry for the bike yet?). I have tried to get cycling with a group but the times never suit so I will keep plugging away on my own.

Smaller portions is also helping - I do miss those pies though!!

The only thing I worry about are the local drivers who have a less than appreciative attitude to the amount of space that a cyclist should be given, particularly ones with my beam, and have got a couple of scars on my right elbow from strategically located wing mirrors already!!

I was whisker away from one of these this morning. Did they drivers stop ? and if not did you report them as a hit and run incident ?

Midnight64

Lumen wrote: »

There's a solution for that. Think of it as arse-whiskers for a bike.

Brilliant!! But the local petrol heads would only treat it as a target!!

Midnight64

Johnny Jukebox wrote: »

I was whisker away from one of these this morning. Did they drivers stop ? and if not did you report them as a hit and run incident ?

Unfortunately, on both occasions I was too busy questioning them about their methods of procreation and heredity in an extremely loud voice to take-down details........ You might have heard me?! D4 tractors on both occasions.

Lumen

Midnight64 wrote: »

Brilliant!! But the local petrol heads would only treat it as a target!!

Keep it on the kerb side and see them end up in the ditch!

cdaly_

Midnight64 wrote: »

125 kg down to 117 kg 6ft (feel sorry for the bike yet?). I have tried to get cycling with a group but the times never suit so I will keep plugging away on my own.

Smaller portions is also helping - I do miss those pies though!!

You might consider the 20-minute rule. Have your small portion, then wait 20 minutes before any second helping you might have been considering. That gives time for digestion processes to let your body know it's been fed. You'll end up having a smaller (or no) second helping. The other thing is, when you get back in from a cycle, have a small something to eat (slice of toast or two and a glass of milk) before you get changed. Don't sit down to dinner immediately or you'll end up horsing down loads.

The only thing I worry about are the local drivers who have a less than appreciative attitude to the amount of space that a cyclist should be given, particularly ones with my beam, and have got a couple of scars on my right elbow from strategically located wing mirrors already!!

For this, you should start looking at good road positioning. If you are (most likely) cycling too close to the edge of the road, drivers don't feel it necessary to pull out to pass you and you end up with close passes. OTOH, if you cycle one third to halfway out in the lane, drivers have to pull out for a pass and therefore have to consider oncoming traffic. Because they're pulling out anyway, they'll end up giving you more clearance.

Midnight64

Feel great. 27 km (remember I a fat beginner!!). Decided to go outwards for 1/2 hr and then turn around but there was a good downhill bit on the way out DOH!! Met some good cyclists when I was out on very fancy carbon-fibre machines who passed me out like I was going backwards! Still got a smile on my face and I went further that anyone sitting on a chair I guess.