Matt

i just like feeling healthy. i dont real care about what i look like anymore. i used to want to be real big. now i just want to be healthy no matter what size i am.

Agreed!

I was wondering if anyone had an opinion on whether weight has anything to do with cycling speed,

 

meaning, is there an optimal weight (accompanied by possessing optimum strength for that weight) for one's riding speed?

 

Or, in theory, if someone was 100 pounds but the strongest 100 pound person possible, would they be able to match someone who was 150 pounds, and the strongest 150 pound person ever in speed?

 

Did that make sense?

Arguably the most important thing to consider in cycling is power-to-weight ratio. What specific terrain or event are you referring to? There are so many factors to consider, and it also depends on the type of event one is doing.

Are you asking "should I be lighter because it will make me faster?" Perhaps. But certainly not always. There are other factors, too. A power lifter, though, likely won't have the repetitive power motion that a cyclist who climbs hills will have, so the extra "strength" won't help. Even cyclists have strengths in different disciplines based on their genetics, muscle fiber development, and how they choose to train their bodies (e.g. sprinting, time trialing, climbing) that very few can do equally well (pro riders Lance Armstrong and Alejandro Valverde are too recent exceptions that I can think of).

There are a lot of factors and I think your question is too general to answer accurately.

Are you trying to decide what type of body type you should have as a cyclist? If so, can you be more specific with what you are after?

Topher...looking good to me...in another thread you implied you were grossly out of shape if i remember correctly...not so, of course

I agree with the fiber comment and generally taking in more complex carbs, but specifically, avoid processed stuff as well. I had sugar spikes quite a bit and now they are gone completely, primarily by mixing up my diet, cutting out processed foods, and eating more whole foods. My body usually doesn't differ too much with the different glycemic foods (for example, a banana--which is 'high glycemic'--doesn't make me spike any more than brown rice). The things I focus on now are avoiding as much processed stuff as possible, getting variety and also just controlling portions. I've been eating whole foods much more, including Vega, and it's helped my energy levels stay sustained throughout the day.

One more thing on the exhaustion: have you simply tried resting longer? We often forget that small changes to our activity level can cause fatigue. Maybe you just need more rest as well.

Good luck!

Where's robert? He still hasn't banned you yet, potter?

And now JW seems to be pushing the post envelope...hmmm...

Yeah, I'd say if you are serious about triathlons and have money to get a lower profile machine like a time trial bike. I agree with potter (dang you potter!) in getting a road bike with tri bars on it if you are looking to have one bike. Certain ones are easy to put on and take off.

But the most important thing is to get a bike that fits you. I see so many people riding bikes that they got (most often used) that don't fit them. This leads to back problems, knee problems, all sorts of problems...

I'd say generally if you were to get a raod bike, it would probably be a 60cm frame *minimum*, but probably larger, like a 62cm. (I am 6'1" and ride a 60cm [measured] center-to-top.) The most important thing to do is to GET FITTED by a REPUTABLE BIKE SHOP. This doesn't mean you have to buy a bike there; but it's like trying on a pair of shoes, then buying them somewhere else. With bikes, get a size that you can then adjust later with the "minor" adjustable parts of the bike such as seatpost, stem, angles, etc. A proper fitter should adjust your leg extension length approximately 96% of full leg extension at the bottom of your stroke (pedal circle).

Good luck!

Welcome, Chelsea Bunny!

Welcome, Nayr747!

On my road bike, I ride about 80% on the top of the bar, about 15% on the hoods/brakes when I think I'll need them, and less than 5% in the drops. Hand and wrist pain invariably comes from too much pressure for too long, so shift your hands around during your ride, even if they aren't in pain, just to keep the circulation going and reduce any one stress. I don't find the drops useful unless I'm in a paceline with other riders when I need to be a little more aero to save energy (or when I used to race), plus it puts extra pressure on the back being hunched over longer.

Awesome! Action shots!

I'm up to 40 in 3 sets. I'm not done.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/03/mr.universe.ap/index.html

Interesting, though, that he's diabetic and now a champion bodybuilder.

Hansel's SO hot right now!

Huh?

Hey, thanks. I may come up by myself for a couple days in July. August is really messed up, though. I'm also writing a bike commuting book which has some August deadlines so I need to be clear I've got those covered! Anyway, thanks...I'll meet you guys soon!

Look...its one of those good selective spammers that don't make it all that obvious

Oh, no! Perhaps a ritualistic suicide?

http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/29/news/honeybees/index.htm?cnn=yes

I'm glad our pocketbooks are being considered here! Interesting that over the last two decades, there has been a 40 percent population drop, the cause of which hasn't been isolated.

I do the guacamole deal with avocados. I sometimes feel I need them, but I have the same texture issues... Hero, guac'ing them with diced tomatoes is what I do and sounds right on for what you need! Still raw plus you get MORE tomatoes...LOL

Dude, I gotta get a track bike.

I think what would be cool would be for 2008 do a vegan velodrome day (or two days!) to introduce everyone to the velodrome. If you haven't done it already.

I gotta gets me another track bike...

Awesome, Ed! These stories are very inspirational for me and others on the forum. Great work.

Since veganpotter forgot to mention Vega, I'll mention Vega, too. One of the wonderful anecdotal benefits I've discovered with Vega is the flushing of waste products from the muscles (i.e. lactic acid). I've switched to primarily raw, but Vega is a core part of my daily routine now, and my recovery has been phenomenal. I'm also gaining muscle and losing fat, workouts being the same (except with more weight now). So I recommend it absolutely.

I would join a vegan pottying and fitness forum.

 

That does sound intriquing.

Does that mean we would all excercise or discuss fitness while sitting on the toilet?

Well, I'm not the administrator. You'd have to ask him. But on the surface, yes, it sounds like it. I imagine working out at the gym and discussing bodily fluids would also fall under this, but again, I really don't want to speculate or speak for the administrator(s).

I would join a vegan pottying and fitness forum.

Robert doesn't have a bike?

Welcome, mipooh!

I would put it in mine but I don't want people to think I'm rubbing it in