Uk to Austria

[Modo]

Hi

I am an overweight truckdriver that till recently topped the scales at 24st. I have tried most of the diets but always ended up failing and gaining more weight. On a recent drive through Germany on route to Austria I said to my wife " Wouldn`t it be great to cycle through here" even though I had not sat on a cycle for 20yrs. When we returned to UK I couldn`t get that thought of cycling out of my head and it began to develop into an adventure.

So here goes!

In May 2012 I am cycling from my home town of Steeton in West Yorkshire to Vitis in lower Austria to my daughters house. To enable me to achieve this I MUST lose 50kg of fat and of course get myself fit! To let myself get to 24st means I don`t have much willpower or deternination so I needed something to motivate me, something that would keep me going, keep me pushing when things get hard, for me this was to do it for charity.

My chosen charity is Rays of Sunshine which is a childrens charity helping grant wishes to sick children.

I have also enlisted the help of a few other people Justin Murr a sports fitness coach/dietician he has built me a fitness and exercise program. Also a Local gym has given me unlimited use of thier facilities whilst training, both have done this free of charge.

The reason I am posting this here is well.......I need help with everything that is cycle related as I am a noob on a mission

Just Giving

Thanks for reading

 

[psmiffy]

Brilliant - go for it - no idea about what advice to give you - except maybe - cycle as much as possible - every day - not necessarily long training rides - but the every day journeys - to the shops - to the gym - to work if possible

 

[snorri]

That's quite a challenge Modo, but you WILL get there.

Just ask when a question comes up in your mind, someone on here will have an answer.

 

[Furkz]

Maybe worth looking at a cycling club in your area. They can only motivate you and get you out when you really can't be bothered.

 

[Modo]

Maybe worth looking at a cycling club in your area. They can only motivate you and get you out when you really can't be bothered.

My fitness level is way too low, I would be afraid of slowing everyone down.

I do have a question however: when i`m out riding after about 30 mins I start getting pins and needles in my palms. Is this normal for a new rider or is my riding position causing it?

Cheers

 

[Alun]

Modo, it's not uncommon to get pins and needles, it's to do with pressure on a nerve in your hand. You could try cycling mitts with gel in the palms, hopefully that will help. Otherwise a change of riding position may be the answer. Good luck with the training.

 

[hubbike]

it sounds like you've taken all the right steps...once you are out on the road I think the weight will fall off, so don't worry about it too much. fitness is another issue, and complicated in part by the extra weight. But cycle tourers are always lugging 25kg of stuff they don't need anyway!! I would reiterate to cycle everyday, as much as possible but be sure to look out not to get injured too. best of luck!

 

[martmorg]

Good job making the first steps and setting a date, this will always help give you motivation to train and be in the best shape you can by that time. one bit of advice if give is dont underestimate the hills in parts of europe like i did before by first tour. I find by car you dont tend to notice how steep some of them are so id recommend cycling routes that have some hills and if there is one really steep hill near you try to do this at least once a week. dont be ashamed if you have to get of and push but the more you do it the futher you will be able to get up the hill until finally you can get all the way.

PS what bike are you going to use?

 

[betty swollocks]

Hi

I am an overweight truckdriver that till recently topped the scales at 24st. I have tried most of the diets but always ended up failing and gaining more weight. On a recent drive through Germany on route to Austria I said to my wife " Wouldn`t it be great to cycle through here" even though I had not sat on a cycle for 20yrs. When we returned to UK I couldn`t get that thought of cycling out of my head and it began to develop into an adventure.

So here goes!

In May 2012 I am cycling from my home town of Steeton in West Yorkshire to Vitis in lower Austria to my daughters house. To enable me to achieve this I MUST lose 50kg of fat and of course get myself fit! To let myself get to 24st means I don`t have much willpower or deternination so I needed something to motivate me, something that would keep me going, keep me pushing when things get hard, for me this was to do it for charity.

My chosen charity is Rays of Sunshine which is a childrens charity helping grant wishes to sick children.

I have also enlisted the help of a few other people Justin Murr a sports fitness coach/dietician he has built me a fitness and exercise program. Also a Local gym has given me unlimited use of thier facilities whilst training, both have done this free of charge.

The reason I am posting this here is well.......I need help with everything that is cycle related as I am a noob on a mission

Just Giving

Thanks for reading

Great story and good luck.

 

[hubbike]

thought it said uk to australia!! no great shakes. even if you are overweight.

check out this colombian dude I met.

The guy's cycled from bogota to caracas and back on a rust-heap (in flip-flops). He should be an inspiration to fat people everywhere!!

 

[Modo]

PS what bike are you going to use?

That is something else I need advice on I have looked at a great many bikes and most are too expensive for my budget. I will be following many river cycle tracks through Germany so a 100% road bike is out of the question I think.


any suggestions?

Cheers

 

[Angelfishsolo]

thought it said uk to australia!!

I am so glad I am not the only one!!!!

 

[Angelfishsolo]

My fitness level is way too low, I would be afraid of slowing everyone down.

I do have a question however: when i`m out riding after about 30 mins I start getting pins and needles in my palms. Is this normal for a new rider or is my riding position causing it?

Cheers

Pins and needles or number outer fingers are caused by pressure on the ulna nerve. As has been suggested gloves with gel pads and changing hand position works well. Also shaking out the hands from time to time as you are riding works wonders. Also it get less request as you become more comfortable on the bike and do not grip the bars as hard.

I wish you the very best of luck indeed.

Dave

 

[Alun]

I would look at a "hardtail" ie no rear suspension MTB, change the tyres for something more suitable for the road and maybe swap the front suspension forks for rigid ones. . Other people might give you different advice, but a MTB will be plenty strong enough for what you need, and have low enough gears for the hills.

Don't worry about steep hills on your route, I've ridden around the Steeton area and you've got plenty of hills to practice on.

That is something else I need advice on I have looked at a great many bikes and most are too expensive for my budget. I will be following many river cycle tracks through Germany so a 100% road bike is out of the question I think.


any suggestions?

Cheers

 

[Alun]

It's probably worth getting to know a good LBS (local bike shop) as they will be able to help you get a suitable bike and hopefully let you try one out. Aire Valley Cycles in Keighley is not too far away from you and might be worth a visit.