Anyone ever tried inspiring an overweight middle aged bloke to give cycling a proper try.

[Michael Halliday]

He's one of a bunch of guys I socilise with and one of the few who doesn't cycle. Most of the lads get out on a Saturday morning but it's rarely I can join them due to family commitments. Anyway this other bloke, lets call him Ian cos that's his name, went out with a couple of the lads and complained of being worn out and having a sore backside, I think the 20 mile ride they treat him to was just a bit too much at this stage. I'm planning on enticing Ian out for some short tootles around the block, say 5 miles, just to get him going, then build it up from there, we have plenty of scope for good easy routes which can gradually be stretched as Ian becomes more aclimatised.
Just wondering if anyone else has ever helped get someone into regular cycling or even been an Ian themselves.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

I was an Ian...but I wanted to get fit...I lost 8 stone cycling...it's great for the body mind and soul..he's be stupid not to .

 

[derrick]

I tried, took a couple of freinds along the river lee, nice and flat stopped at a pub after about 5 miles, nice slow ride back, i was bored to tears but hey ho, they said they really enjoyed it but they have not asked to go again.

 

[TVC]

A trip out to a pub with some 'interesting ales' to sample might work. Gradually work him up to longer and longer pub trips until he either gets it or doesn't, and if he doesn't then fair play, he's given it a go.

 

[brokenflipflop]

I've never got someone else into cycling and I've never been an "Ian". Hope that helps

 

[Ajay]

You've got to know which of his buttons to press to get him going. My mate is a macho over-achiever in his business life, so there was no point in pissing around with small incremental goals building up to something. I challenged him to do the Raid Pyreneen with me, and ten months later we did it! (you can't see us, but we're standing underneath the Geant du Tourmalet in my avatar pic).That was from a starting point of over 19st and him throwing up his porridge and abandoning on our first training ride. If he wants to change,he will.

 

[Blue]

Just don't tell Ian that should he get 'into cycling' he too could end up like brokenflipflop. He could be put off permanently.

 

[brokenflipflop]

He could end up like me...you mean he could end up the proud owner of.....an Audi Q7 4.2 TDI Quattro S Line

 

[potsy]

He could end up like me...you mean he could end up the proud owner of.....an Audi Q7 4.2 TDI Quattro S Line

 

[Zoiders]

Some people need coaxing and encouraging, some macho types need a bit of shaming and shouting at.

As others have pointed out you need to be pretty sure of which type of person he is so you can decide upon the carrot/stick ratio.

 

[Peteaud]

He could end up like me...you mean he could end up the proud owner of.....an Audi Q7 4.2 TDI Quattro S Line

 

[dellzeqq]

He's one of a bunch of guys I socilise with and one of the few who doesn't cycle. Most of the lads get out on a Saturday morning but it's rarely I can join them due to family commitments. Anyway this other bloke, lets call him Ian cos that's his name, went out with a couple of the lads and complained of being worn out and having a sore backside, I think the 20 mile ride they treat him to was just a bit too much at this stage. I'm planning on enticing Ian out for some short tootles around the block, say 5 miles, just to get him going, then build it up from there, we have plenty of scope for good easy routes which can gradually be stretched as Ian becomes more aclimatised.
Just wondering if anyone else has ever helped get someone into regular cycling or even been an Ian themselves.

yes, and with some success

I'm sure you're right about the twenty miles thing - it's a long way, and it may be that his bike isn't that great, or doesn't fit him. The invitation will be more attractive if there is some charm in the route or the destination, by which I mean separate from the cycling. I'd turn up in clothes that were not too dissimilar to his. Perhaps you could take something to drink, and an energy bar for him. Riding alongside him rather than in front or behind might be good. If his bike could benefit from some adjusting, go for it, so I'd take some tools. All in all, make it as easy as possible, but make it as progressive as possible

 

[Michael Halliday]

He's a wuss but has a pretty decent bike, the only problem is the silly gel saddle cover he insists on putting over an already decent saddle. Not sure if the suspension forks are lockable and, if they are, whether he can be convinced that a little rattling is worth the benefit of increased efficiency.

 

[slowmotion]

Pubs are a good bait for a beginner.

 

[byegad]

I had cycled as a kid and again in my 20s and 30s. I bought a folder at 48, a Dahon Boardwalk and took it around the area parking the car and riding a few miles. Then decide to set out from home!!! I ended up with 7 uprights, including a quality tourer, a recumbent bike and a recumbent trike, then had balance issues and ended up selling everything but the recumbent trike.

I now own three recumbent trikes!