Wobbly While Signaling - HELP!

Bill wrote:
:: Case study....me. A Century at 12 MPH is still a Century even if it
:: is not a 25 MPH blast. Miles count either way and if you aren't
:: trying to become a racer the miles do add up to lost weight and
:: better conditioning. Just keep at it.
:: Bill Baka

Good advice, Bill!

The Historian wrote:
:: On Mar 28, 10:51 pm, "Mike Jacoubowsky" wrote:
::::: You mentioned something about being, what?....380 pounds(?) so it
::::: is unlikely you are trying to ride the drops and do aero so how
::::: about doing your first 80 pounds or so just sitting up as much as
::::: practical?
:::
:::: I don't think I explained that well. Fat people, even recovering
:::: fat people, often have underdeveloped core muscles. Ever see a
:::: really fat person try to stand up? I'm currently about 250, and
:::: aiming for 200.
:::
::: You used to weigh 385, you're down to 250 and targeting 200?
:::
::: You ROCK!
::
:: Thank you. Here's the timeline from my blog:
::
:: * January 3, 2006 - 385
:: * February 1, 2006- 360
:: * March 1, 2006 - 350
:: * April 1, 2006 - 340
:: * May 1, 2006 - 330
:: * June 1, 2006 - 320
:: * July 1, 2006- 310
:: * August 1, 2006 - 300
:: * September 1, 2006 - 297
:: * October 1, 2006- 290
:: * November 1, 2006 - 285
:: * December 1, 2006 - 280
:: * January 5, 2007 - 275
:: * January 31 - 262
:: * March 1, 2007 - 252
:: * March 8 - 254
:: * March 16 - 253
::
::: Whatever you're doing, stay with the program.
::
:: Eating less and better, and exercising. Now that I'm riding,
:: bicycling will be my main form of exercise. Although I'm not taking
:: up riding because it burns calories, but because it's fun.
::
:: And don't get to thinking that
::: a 250 pound cyclists can't do well. Lots of 250 pound cyclists out
::: pounding the pavement, even doing the nastier climbs.
:::
::: Looking forward to hearing more of your adventures-
::
:: Thank you, Mike, and thank you to the other posters as well.

I started at 367...starting riding at 255. I'm now around 230lbs. I've
never had any problems with core muscles as you mention. I've spent a lot of
time exercising, even as an overweight kid. Being fat doesn't have to mean
you don't get exercise.

I don't think your problems really have much to do with your weight. You
have may some "unique to you" characteristics which makes balancing harder
for you, but you'll work through it.

I ride because it's fun and because it burns calories. I like to do long
miles! I hardly like to leave the house if I can't get in around 50 or so.
Of course, life sometimes says "You only have time for 35" so you take what
comes your way.

David L. Johnson wrote:
catzz66 wrote:

Also, if you brake with the front brake and don't have both hands on
the handlebars, sometimes it can cause some unexpected handling
reactions. I don't have a flat bar bike anymore, but the only time I
wrecked out seriously, I accidentally braked with the front wheel on
my mountain bike when I had one hand on the bar.


I never thought of this, but certainly it is true. When you brake, you
naturally put more pressure on the bars. If you have only one hand on
the bar, you have to resist that push-forward or you will abruptly turn
and fall.



I didn't think of it either. =] I was scratching my nose with my right
hand and I applied the left brake (front brake) briefly without
thinking. With one hand, I wasn't able to keep the front wheel from
jacknifing to the left and I went down like a rock. This was a mountain
bike and I'd pulled it out that day because it had been raining. I was
in the process of switching to road bikes and had not ridden it in a
while. My road bikes handle completely differently and I wasn't
expecting it. You live and learn.

Roger Zoul wrote:
Bill wrote:
:: Case study....me. A Century at 12 MPH is still a Century even if it
:: is not a 25 MPH blast. Miles count either way and if you aren't
:: trying to become a racer the miles do add up to lost weight and
:: better conditioning. Just keep at it.
:: Bill Baka

Good advice, Bill!


I take my own advice here and just ride in some direction and see where
I am. I put on a whopping 27 miles today because people were out with
their dogs and I would take some time to know the dog's name. My average
speed 27/5 hours == not much. Those Centuries need some working up to.
I also have to quit stopping and B.S.'ing with all the folks I meet.
Bill (miles, not speed) Baka

On Mar 29, 10:28 am, "Roger Zoul" wrote:
The Historian wrote:

:: On Mar 28, 10:51 pm, "Mike Jacoubowsky" wrote:
::::: You mentioned something about being, what?....380 pounds(?) so it
::::: is unlikely you are trying to ride the drops and do aero so how
::::: about doing your first 80 pounds or so just sitting up as much as
::::: practical?
:::
:::: I don't think I explained that well. Fat people, even recovering
:::: fat people, often have underdeveloped core muscles. Ever see a
:::: really fat person try to stand up? I'm currently about 250, and
:::: aiming for 200.
:::
::: You used to weigh 385, you're down to 250 and targeting 200?
:::
::: You ROCK!
::
:: Thank you. Here's the timeline from my blog:
::
:: * January 3, 2006 - 385
:: * February 1, 2006- 360
:: * March 1, 2006 - 350
:: * April 1, 2006 - 340
:: * May 1, 2006 - 330
:: * June 1, 2006 - 320
:: * July 1, 2006- 310
:: * August 1, 2006 - 300
:: * September 1, 2006 - 297
:: * October 1, 2006- 290
:: * November 1, 2006 - 285
:: * December 1, 2006 - 280
:: * January 5, 2007 - 275
:: * January 31 - 262
:: * March 1, 2007 - 252
:: * March 8 - 254
:: * March 16 - 253
::
::: Whatever you're doing, stay with the program.
::
:: Eating less and better, and exercising. Now that I'm riding,
:: bicycling will be my main form of exercise. Although I'm not taking
:: up riding because it burns calories, but because it's fun.
::
:: And don't get to thinking that
::: a 250 pound cyclists can't do well. Lots of 250 pound cyclists out
::: pounding the pavement, even doing the nastier climbs.
:::
::: Looking forward to hearing more of your adventures-
::
:: Thank you, Mike, and thank you to the other posters as well.

I started at 367...starting riding at 255. I'm now around 230lbs. I've
never had any problems with core muscles as you mention. I've spent a lot of
time exercising, even as an overweight kid. Being fat doesn't have to mean
you don't get exercise.

No, it doesn't have to mean that, but really, 'fit and fat' is hardly
a common state among the severely obese. I've seen - and been - those
fat people who need to brace themselves to stand up. I'm glad you
never had that problem.

I don't think your problems really have much to do with your weight. You
have may some "unique to you" characteristics which makes balancing harder
for you, but you'll work through it.

Thank you for the advice and encouragement.

I ride because it's fun and because it burns calories. I like to do long
miles! I hardly like to leave the house if I can't get in around 50 or so.
Of course, life sometimes says "You only have time for 35" so you take what
comes your way.

Bill wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
::: Bill wrote:
::::: Case study....me. A Century at 12 MPH is still a Century even if
::::: it is not a 25 MPH blast. Miles count either way and if you aren't
::::: trying to become a racer the miles do add up to lost weight and
::::: better conditioning. Just keep at it.
::::: Bill Baka
:::
::: Good advice, Bill!
:::
:::
:: I take my own advice here and just ride in some direction and see
:: where I am. I put on a whopping 27 miles today because people were
:: out with their dogs and I would take some time to know the dog's
:: name. My average speed 27/5 hours == not much. Those Centuries need
:: some working up to. I also have to quit stopping and B.S.'ing with
:: all the folks I meet. Bill (miles, not speed) Baka

Yeah, I'd be a little upset spending 5 hours with only 27 miles. You're a
social butterfly, Bill!

The Historian wrote:
:: On Mar 29, 10:28 am, "Roger Zoul" wrote:
::: The Historian wrote:
:::
::::: On Mar 28, 10:51 pm, "Mike Jacoubowsky"
::::: wrote:
:::::::: You mentioned something about being, what?....380 pounds(?) so
:::::::: it is unlikely you are trying to ride the drops and do aero so
:::::::: how about doing your first 80 pounds or so just sitting up as
:::::::: much as practical?
::::::
::::::: I don't think I explained that well. Fat people, even recovering
::::::: fat people, often have underdeveloped core muscles. Ever see a
::::::: really fat person try to stand up? I'm currently about 250, and
::::::: aiming for 200.
::::::
:::::: You used to weigh 385, you're down to 250 and targeting 200?
::::::
:::::: You ROCK!
:::::
::::: Thank you. Here's the timeline from my blog:
:::::
::::: * January 3, 2006 - 385
::::: * February 1, 2006- 360
::::: * March 1, 2006 - 350
::::: * April 1, 2006 - 340
::::: * May 1, 2006 - 330
::::: * June 1, 2006 - 320
::::: * July 1, 2006- 310
::::: * August 1, 2006 - 300
::::: * September 1, 2006 - 297
::::: * October 1, 2006- 290
::::: * November 1, 2006 - 285
::::: * December 1, 2006 - 280
::::: * January 5, 2007 - 275
::::: * January 31 - 262
::::: * March 1, 2007 - 252
::::: * March 8 - 254
::::: * March 16 - 253
:::::
:::::: Whatever you're doing, stay with the program.
:::::
::::: Eating less and better, and exercising. Now that I'm riding,
::::: bicycling will be my main form of exercise. Although I'm not
::::: taking up riding because it burns calories, but because it's fun.
:::::
::::: And don't get to thinking that
:::::: a 250 pound cyclists can't do well. Lots of 250 pound cyclists
:::::: out pounding the pavement, even doing the nastier climbs.
::::::
:::::: Looking forward to hearing more of your adventures-
:::::
::::: Thank you, Mike, and thank you to the other posters as well.
:::
::: I started at 367...starting riding at 255. I'm now around 230lbs.
::: I've never had any problems with core muscles as you mention. I've
::: spent a lot of time exercising, even as an overweight kid. Being
::: fat doesn't have to mean you don't get exercise.
::
:: No, it doesn't have to mean that, but really, 'fit and fat' is hardly
:: a common state among the severely obese. I've seen - and been - those
:: fat people who need to brace themselves to stand up. I'm glad you
:: never had that problem.

I agree with you. I do think that we need to be careful about the "fit"
part, though. Even a bodybuilder who has 5% or less bodyfat, but weighes
250+ lbs (muscle & bones, etc), is not going to be a 'fit' cyclist, because
said bodybuilder will be too damn heavy and will likely get dropped by all
the 150 lb riders who have higher bodyfat (say 15 to 19%).

No, I never had to brace myself to stand up, but the extra weight did have
an impact on my body and on my life in general. It had to go.

::
::: I don't think your problems really have much to do with your
::: weight. You have may some "unique to you" characteristics which
::: makes balancing harder for you, but you'll work through it.
::
:: Thank you for the advice and encouragement.
::

It's great that you're getting into cycling. You can start training for your
1st century as it starts to get warmer. It's a great goal for have and will
definitely help you stay focused on keeping your weight off!

::: I ride because it's fun and because it burns calories. I like to
::: do long miles! I hardly like to leave the house if I can't get in
::: around 50 or so. Of course, life sometimes says "You only have time
::: for 35" so you take what comes your way.

Roger Zoul wrote:
Bill wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
::: Bill wrote:
::::: Case study....me. A Century at 12 MPH is still a Century even if
::::: it is not a 25 MPH blast. Miles count either way and if you aren't
::::: trying to become a racer the miles do add up to lost weight and
::::: better conditioning. Just keep at it.
::::: Bill Baka
:::
::: Good advice, Bill!
:::
:::
:: I take my own advice here and just ride in some direction and see
:: where I am. I put on a whopping 27 miles today because people were
:: out with their dogs and I would take some time to know the dog's
:: name. My average speed 27/5 hours == not much. Those Centuries need
:: some working up to. I also have to quit stopping and B.S.'ing with
:: all the folks I meet. Bill (miles, not speed) Baka

Yeah, I'd be a little upset spending 5 hours with only 27 miles. You're a
social butterfly, Bill!


It's a lot easier to get to know the owners of the dogs and pet the dog
so I don't get chased the next time I go by. I have set myself up for
some "Here Duke, get your petting.", but it's easier than having to
outrun a big dog every time I ride by. I only have 2 roads to get me to
the country where I can get to a point of hearing no man made noise and
only the songs of the birds and an occasional "Moo".
Bill Baka

On Mar 28, 7:48 pm, "David L. Johnson"
wrote:
The Historian wrote:
Underdeveloped core muscles from being 385 pounds. Mild scoliosis. A
left leg that doesn't extend fully.

385? But you've lost a lot of that already.

Keep practicing. For some riders, comfort riding with one, or both,
hands off the bar comes only after much practice, if at all. I have
been surprised at strong riders being unable to shake hands with me when
I meet them on a ride, since they are afraid to remove one hand from the
bar for that long.

But it is not merely a trick to be able to ride no-hands. Yes, not just
one-handed, but no hands. It allows you to take care of things while
you are riding, such as dealing with clothing and equipment.

Experiment with just taking one hand off the bar. You may want to
temporarily shift more of your weight to the saddle when you do this
(just shift back and more upright), but with a little practice you will
be able to manage that. Then worry about doing so as you signal, and as
you are looking around to make sure it is safe to proceed.

As you progress, try to briefly remove both hands from the bars. Again,
you should shift your weight back some and sit upright, to help you do
that. With practice, you can control the bike, even turn, by just
shifting your weight from side to side.

--

David L. Johnson

Arguing with an engineer is like mud wrestling with a pig...
You soon find out the pig likes it!

Thanks again, David, and thanks to the other posters as well. I rode
14 miles in Horsham yesterday, and while my turn signals were of the
'flashing' variety, I made them. Now to work on standing while riding
so I don't have more instances of numbness in the, err, groin. It's
annoying to have it for a couple days after a ride.

Neil
http://historian2wheels.blogspot.com/

The Historian wrote:
:: On Mar 28, 7:48 pm, "David L. Johnson"
:: wrote:
::: The Historian wrote:
:::: Underdeveloped core muscles from being 385 pounds. Mild scoliosis.
:::: A left leg that doesn't extend fully.
:::
::: 385? But you've lost a lot of that already.
:::
::: Keep practicing. For some riders, comfort riding with one, or both,
::: hands off the bar comes only after much practice, if at all. I have
::: been surprised at strong riders being unable to shake hands with me
::: when I meet them on a ride, since they are afraid to remove one
::: hand from the bar for that long.
:::
::: But it is not merely a trick to be able to ride no-hands. Yes, not
::: just one-handed, but no hands. It allows you to take care of
::: things while you are riding, such as dealing with clothing and
::: equipment.
:::
::: Experiment with just taking one hand off the bar. You may want to
::: temporarily shift more of your weight to the saddle when you do this
::: (just shift back and more upright), but with a little practice you
::: will be able to manage that. Then worry about doing so as you
::: signal, and as you are looking around to make sure it is safe to
::: proceed.
:::
::: As you progress, try to briefly remove both hands from the bars.
::: Again, you should shift your weight back some and sit upright, to
::: help you do that. With practice, you can control the bike, even
::: turn, by just shifting your weight from side to side.
:::
::: --
:::
::: David L. Johnson
:::
::: Arguing with an engineer is like mud wrestling with a pig...
::: You soon find out the pig likes it!
::
:: Thanks again, David, and thanks to the other posters as well. I rode
:: 14 miles in Horsham yesterday, and while my turn signals were of the
:: 'flashing' variety, I made them. Now to work on standing while riding
:: so I don't have more instances of numbness in the, err, groin. It's
:: annoying to have it for a couple days after a ride.
::

In the groin or just sore butt? I've not experienced any numbness in the
groin area in all of my riding, but I have had some sore butt issues. There
is perhaps a difference and perhaps numbness in the groin might indicate
some kind of "fit" problem.

:: Neil
:: http://historian2wheels.blogspot.com/