72 miles today!

the longest ride so far...

Amazing!

I am very proud and can't wait to do more miles. i could have continued and the great thing is after 10 mins back home i was ready to go out.

some major learnings...

i am still learning how to climb and on occasions i do stop and have to take a breather and walk a lil... stamina for a long ride seems to work well for me so i need to combine this mind set with being a stronger climber... each time it will improve.

i need some cycling gear that is closer fitting... after losing over five stone in weight, tops, jackets do not fit well and rattle in the wind and do not keep me warm or dry! i need some arm and leg warmers as my arm warmers from the states and hidden somewhere by my dog.. sigh... so i may need alil internet shop tonight.

i am still working out what food and drinks work for me...

im convinced and know bananas work great for me as does pasta the night before. coffee has a good effect. as far as what d rink mix i am still experimenting... i remember trying some of boston bike gurus drink whilst in ny this year and thinking yuck... now im thinking i need that sort of sugar taste and kick!

but sugar and my diet don't mix that well... what should i try?

power blocks cola chews are great and certainly add a kick of energy when needed and for the last 20 miles of this ride worked well.

the new bike is quite wonderful and i am very proud to have such a piece of equipment to use and love.

the handling is so responsive and i noticed i am able to take sharper corners and get a lot lower on the drops which is wonderful.

ohhh and i got a £100 voucher to use still for new cycling gear...

any advice or comments please add them, i need all the help i can get...

c

yorkshire dales hills....

38 miles in the dales

no flats up and down all the way... in fact more up than down!

adrian with his sore bum did amazingly well and kept up well.

I cycled hard and we got lost...big time... at the top of a dale...light fading, wind blowing, rain splashing... and no mobile signal or money... and only a hill farmer to help us...

on reflection this was a tough ride, the constant climbs and drops were hard word but amazingly satisfying. the scenery was amazing and however hard the climbs were the drops were intense, scary and mind blowing. really worked on cornering at speed and resisting touching the brakes.. ohhhh it was goood.

adrian on his first ride like this did brill.. much better than i ever would have done on my first biggie.

its also good to know that he lived in the dales and would never get us lost and send us 16 miles in the wrong direction, up a dale, in the wind, driving rain and bitter cold, with no mobile signal, money or humour!

still he tries...

i could tell my climbing improved the next week for the big 72 miler, it was still tough but i am able to get out the saddle quickly and for longer periods and when i choose the right gear i am able to keep it smooth and steady and solid...

here are some piccys to have some fun with....

more to follow!

60.7 miles!

yes that's right...

miles increased again today. 60.7

was a fab ride hard work into strong headwind for over 35 miles which made progress interesting. but all great training.

the weather was hot hot hot and tan lines look great!

and to top it off cycling took place in lycra shorts and no over shorts... first time and was brill!

will give a full run down very soon.

craig

oh yes...52 miles!

52 miles achieved today with bags to spare in the tank...

oh yes and weight loss again and bmi down.. in fact weight has dropped nearly five stone since starting!

what an amazing ride. Loved it was a tough one!

so, I even managed to ride out of the saddle up a hill (well ok part of a hill) and this was so cool... except choosing a wrong gear firstly caused my legs to spin round so quick I felt like I was shaking my booty!

some great climbs on this ride, all of which I completed. Some were very tough and I felt like I was walking backwards... but I completed every single way, slowly at times but completed!

suffered severe numbness in the toes after 3 hours of both feet, tried looseining shoes but that didnt work... may need to check this out further as it was painful.

the bike was cool, two water bottles makes a difference (ok I know that obvious).

I got a 'road bikers lesson in style' and was ceremoniously encouraged to tear my reflectors off the bike. I felt liberated almost free...

apparently if I put a bell on my road bike I am going over a bridge...

so... next steps...

over 75 miles this weekend, next weekend I am determined to achieve more.

so far there are four of us ready for the 100 miler and then lands end to john o groats

possibly five... if boston bike guru joins us... you know it makes sense bbg...do it!

damaged tendon...

ouch...

it official i have damaged a tendon in my right foot...

from the centre of the heel to outside edge of the foot.

it painful.

i cant cycle for a few days... this is gutting.

could it be i suddenly feel confident to wear the lycra shorts without over shorts.? did the gods of taste n decency see my legs in the lycra and blow chunks??

either way i sad and wanna cycle....

weight loss and lycra...

oh yes...

i have lost more weight, ave 2-3 pds per week so i am well happy over 55 pounds so far... muscles building which is great and I took my first cycle ride in lycra shorts without cover shorts...

very liberating and feels so much better....

this was in Spain I am not sure if the uk will manage seeing me in lycra... i wld hate to cause peoole to complain..

see ya!

hola!

Yes I am in Spain again and have been taking advantage of life, sun, pool, cycling and doing nothing!

well cycling...

man I have had a nightmare of late with my gorgoeus Bianchi...

knackered the shifters - sora shifters are not that great anyway... so they needed changing after my LBS - local bike store for those of you wondering - had suggested it was the front mech...

anyway one front mech sold in the wrong size later and servicing and new ultegra shifters the bike was ready..after eleven friggin days...

great news... ready for my first ride...

wonderful same as before except with new shifters and more clunking. hmmm

LBS re look and adjust and get her working...

bike ride 2... wonderful can shift rear mech gears - smooth as silk excellent - front mech still shagged... feels like someone has taken some sand mixed with broken glass and rubbed it all over the mech to make it so so so smooth...not...

so i made a decision...

off with the knackered sora front mech and on with a new right size ultgra mech... and the same with the rear mech... - amazing deal at www.chainreactioncycles.co.uk ...

new wheels with ultegra cassette and new bar tape- bright green lizzard tape - amazing...

when I arrive home I need to get bike into LBS for repairs and then ...finally... i will be out later this week on a long ride on my updated Bianchi... which will become the best damn winter bike in history...

oh, did i not mention... winter bike means new road bike could happen due to my reward for weight success and absolute love for this sport...

cycle hard.... cycle long... and smile!

latest scribbles from my hand...

ok quicky for you...

lots of great cycles this week, including two longish this weekend... resulting in a sunny day, pot holes missed from sun glare and knackered front mechanism ...ouch...

my bianchi is in for repairs and I am frustrated...

however...

cadence is upto 80 bpm and ave speed over 14 mph...

mid june it was taking me 1 hour 10 mins to achieve 12 miles on a slightly hilly ride

yesterday was 49 minutes on hillier ride...

im quite shocked...

new wheels... waiting to be fitted some gorgeous mavics mmm thanks again boston bike guru ...

ok time to go now but will be back soon, folding bike in car as i am away for few days...

oh yes if you are reading this be a chum and add yourself to a follower , also tell your friends please!

take care

craig

oh yes lost more weight 2 pounds wooohoooooo

cycling update...

ok...

the cycling is increasing now and i am aiming to get out at least 4 times per week.

a minimum of 16 miles to keep me ticking over during the week with a couple of biggies at the weekend.

this coupled with drumming is helping the stamina and muscle to fat growth!

this weekend sun 19th July was a brilliant 35 mile cycle, longest so far and with bags of room to spare at the end...

a very challenging ride with many hills of different challenge and some very busy roads to contend with also.

my garmin gps re set itself last night so i am unable to upload the data which is a real pain...

my cadence was up to a steady 77 rpm and my speed up to 11.2 mph which for this ride in wind, rain and many hills pleased me!

suffered a couple of punctures over the weekend and managed to perform a clipped in topple in front of a coffee drinking crowd - excellent!

looking forward to getting out again, took today as a rest day and will have a gentle ride tomorrow night all being well.

will add some new pics to help you laugh..

i am very sorry...

well hello,

it has been a little while since i have said Hi and shared my thoughts...

there is a reason for this... cycling, drumming, travel, work and more cycling!

so let me delight you with an update...

ready?

weight down by a total of near 4 stone now! bmi has dropped by a total of 9.5 points since the end of March which is brilliant...

clothes are way too big and my suits look like i have borrowed them! i am wearing shirts i have never been able to get into , all of this is wonderfully exciting...

i am however refusing to buy new clothes until i have lost a couple more stone... so i guess im gonna look daft for a little while longer yet!

exciting crazy assed goal news soon

yes thats right

im about to be daft and i have had a couple of ideas...

just working them out, they involve me, padded shorts, bikes and cream for my areas.

Most importantly they will involve charity...

i shall let you know more soon.

c

gosh it's on the blog now... it gonna happen!

sun, spain, cycling and backwards brakes...

hmmm...

ok a quick hello from the sun of Spain...

El cheapo road bike is actually quite good, the sponge brakes make for interesting stopping as do the fact the UK have the brakes opposite to anywhere else in the world .... eg > uk back brake left , anywhere else the front brake is left... imagine my surpise... oh well what fun...

loads of great mini and long climbs here and a wonderful moutanous type road which i will attempt later in the year when I return... and have changed the brakes from sponges to er... brakes.

adios amigos.

cycling... garmin...and mountain bikes (mtb)

well the cycling is going really well.

each ride is a great mix of pushing it hard to my max heart rate and quick recovery.

i am out for an average of 2-3 times a week and where possible gym cycling in between.

i guess an ave. ride is about 20-25 miles which is very comfortable to achieve and i always finish knowing i can do a hell of a lot more.

i will begin building up the miles over the coming weeks now i have the garmin edge gps thingy and i can work out where to go...

cadence... oh i love knowing how fast i am pedaling ha! last week was the first time i used the garmin and i achieved an ave. of 78 rpm for the ride which seems a little low to me... so i am aiming to get it up to the 80's.

i have just bought a 'el cheapo' road bike for spain and this is now waiting for me... when i get out there i can take 'el cheapo' to the quiet mountain/ coast roads and have some fun! i reckon a little daily cycling in 100 degree heat will keep the blood pumping...

mountain bikes...

damn... this was not meant to happen.

but for some reason i can't begin to explain i am suddenly craving going off road on some gentle ish tracks/ canal paths/railway tracks/woodland as i live out in the stixs.

the idea of road and mountain biking has me even more hooked than i was before! i have just seen some pics of mtb in nevada and also the spanish mountains -omg amazing!

asa far as buying a mountain bike, this is on the radar, i won't bore you with any details...i will scream for my boston bike guru to help me right now please...

so there you go,

chat soon, feel free to comment.

c

the weighty issue...

hello,

have ya missed me?

it has been a week or so since my last brain dump so here ya go!

well this week has seen a grand loss of 3 pounds which is great news and if my maths is correct it's nearly a 3 stone loss in total since i began this change mid March.

I of course am pleased and frustrated all at the same time as i have an amount to shift still..i know i will get there... eventually!

BMI is still dropping which in itself is great news and my heart recovery rate is actually rather good!

birthdays, cycling and stuff...

hey all

not been on last week or so been a lil crazy...

ok quick update...

had birthday and was kindly given a garmin edge 705 which is wonderful news...

i only wish i could work the bloody thing lol

couple fo bike rides in between gigs, and feelign quite yuckkkkk...

looking forward to this weekend to get out and cycle more

thoughts are with my gurus in Boston - loves u both xx

chat soon

C

Flies to the back of the throat please...

Hello all...

Quick update for now...

Weight down by a further 3 pounds this week -YES!

BMI down....

Cycle was a cool 19.7 miles at a good pace with absolutely no stops... not even for the person who really does think they own the road...

Sun was amazingly hot and had a great time and dehydrated loads - massive lesson...

Some great advice this week from some great people including BHD and Mr B in Heaton - thanks gents

Gig was amazing - burnt loads of calories

and my birthday is tomorrow... woo h o o - sigh....

oh yess i swallowed two flies - one of them didn't even stop and smashed into the back of my throat.... ewwwwwww

and my Boston Guru is very quiet hmmmm..... hiding after champions league?

chat soon

ONLY 12.8 MILES...

Had a good ride today, as usual I really enjoyed myself...

I have discovered my cycling clicks into rhythm and feels really good at around 5 miles...

So i have decided to drive 5 miles and then begin my cycle therefore i will be riding in my rhythm... cool thinking...

Well ok i talking a load of shite but it been a slow day lol

Next ride will be Saturday as I am away all week...

btw... those who read this... get others to read this blog and i will buy you a big can of red bull.

I thank you..

Over 21 miles again...

So yesterday I cycled for 21.7 miles... yet again uncertain of where I was - my geography is crap ...hurry up sat nav!

What pleased me loads...

• small but significant - learning to drink whilst cycling, drunk loads more and found loads more energy towards end of ride.
• better gear use - making things a lot easier for myself, pro active gear selection.
• Cornering better - top tip in books by guru Geoff gave me ref pedal position

Also yesterday was the first warm sunny day... my glasses are shockingly bad - well they are golf glasses just rubbish at lkeeping the rays ut - I squinted like a dirty old man in a bad shop lol

The warm sun allowed me to use shorts for the first time DA DA DAHHHHHH and no jacket... but a top lol

Today is damn warm, and I am thinking about doing another cycle later ....

Oh.... calories this week is loads big cycle and very sweaty gig lol

cadence feels smoother now and I can sense when I am pedaling too hard due to the feeling in my legs, body before my watch tells me I am working too hard...

anyway all useful and sorry if this bores you...


c

THE WEIGHTY ISSUE...

This is the moment each week..

every Saturday am I weigh myself...

This week - 3 pounds lost!

fantastic...

BMI down again - total of over 7 points so far.

I pleased

still a weigh to go (see what I did there? lol) but it going in the right direction.

Lean to the left....

Fall number 2 lol

I un clipped lefty I leaned righty...

I mean come on, I understand how to think the 'right' stuff to encourage the way I behave and yet... I am able to unclip my left foot and fall to the right... THAT JUST DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT.

I felt stupid - but I laughed lol

hmmm stuff to think about....

ok...

ave gig burns 1750 or so calories
20 mile cycle is about 1300 calories

This weekend has seen me do two gigs and one twenty mile cycle.

about 3800 calories burnt...

cool


c

21.6 miles...

quick update...

this morning I achieved a personal best.

I cycled over 20 miles in one ride.

I am really pleased with this particularly as I felt I could have carried on without any concerns.

Also managed the longest period of cycling without stopping which was 14 miles. Interestingly I only stopped after the first 7 miles as I had no idea where I was!

1370 calories burnt
12.7 mph ave speed
ass aches.

ta

C

Weighty mumbles...

All week I have been in a hotel...

No gym so I have been running up and down stair cases at every opportunity... quite fun actually in a weird sort of way.

Ok it's Saturday and I have not been on my bike all week as I have been away in the hotel... I am hoping to get out on her today in between a radio interview and a gig... gosh how rock n roll am I!

So weight loss time...

A huge 4 pounds lost this week - Im soooo happy.

Overall that's 1 stone 13 pounds gone for ever.

BMI down to 36.1 - which I am very pleased with.

and the belt on my jeans is now being tightened by a 3 extra notches... if you have never lost weight or needed too this is one of the greatest feelings in the world. Best likened to sitting in a new car for the first time or having the worlds most amazing meal or meeting your idol or winning a lottery (kind of...) or riding up that amazing hill you been working at for ages...

you get the picture don't ya...

will blog again very soon...

and will take some pics of a slightly thinner me on my very sexy Bianchi... pure cycle porn...

C

Saturday cycling...

I LOVE IT!

I REALLY DO!

I have had a great time.

Yes my lungs hurt, my legs ache, and I swallowed 2 flies.

I also completed 2 rides.

Ride one included some excellent testing hills , totalled 10 miles, with an average speed of 12.1 mph - which considering the hills I thought was cool.

Ride two - the first with cleats - 7 miles, including two hills that have vanished... I know they were there two weeks ago. Best feeling ever! Ave speed 13.6 mph at a higher cadence as I was with a cycle buddy.

Will add more later... if anyone reads this.

Fat update...

Ok today was weigh day...

1 pound lost this week and to be honest I a little gutted. I know it is better than staying the same or putting on... just....wanted to lose more.

Oh well, next week has started!

total loss so far 1 stone 9 pounds.

BMI down by 6.4 points.

Cycling is a bit likes maths and dancing...

Sidi shoes + new keo pedals + cleats + first time ever in road shoes = dancing on the floor.

A slow sharp descent to the right followed 2 meters of cycling with cleats. I only wanted to stop so I guess I did it... kinda!

So, I now have my shoes set up, I have fallen off - and laughed, and I have ridden with the shoes and actually loved the bizarre feeling of being connected and wanting to be able to disconnect all at the same time.

I did enjoy using shoes more than trainers.

So I smiling big time....

legs baby legs...

hmmm

last night was a 40 min exercise bike ride in the gym...

ofcourse I set up a higher resistance and worked on weight loss for 25 mins and then cardio for 15.

I cycled around 10 miles, burnt 370 calories, and kept my hr in the weight burn zone.

I also focussed on keeping my cadence at an ave. of 89 which is the best so far. highest was 122 for a whole 25 seconds haha.

this weekend i am eager to go out for a couple of rides each for around 15 miles which would be just awesome.

and i really need to set my shoes up, trainers are annoying the living hell out of me.

anyway i need to get more people reading this... hmmm ideas on a postcard please.

have fun!

Plz don't rub it in my face....

Sorry a slight whinge for now...

that damn united... ok it hurts but deserved to go through to the final.

that damn ronaldo... plz stop rubbing it in peoples faces your childish arrogance, just let your talent talk - you could do with a mentor dude.

there thats all i will say...

damn...

sigh...

next season the arsenal will be out of nappies so there!

the ride...

today it has rained.

it was windy.

and i will never believe anyone who says lincolnshire has no hills... it does.

so, I had not been out for a few days coz of flu type thing. I was really desperate to go out today and i had a awesome time.

10 miles, in wind and rain. new route involving some quite testing hills - all of which I climbed!

ave speed was about 12 mph which is not great yet but top speed was 26 - which was quite fun!

670 calories burnt and my heart rate ranged between 134 - 180 which I think is ok? spent the majority of time in my mid and high zones which I believe is about right...

anyway away with work so will be the gym for next few days...

will keep ya posted... the 2 of you who read this anyway...sigh

c

ME ON THE HYBRID USED IN NEW YORK

This bike was so heavy compared to my road bike - yet I rode the furthest I ever had to date on this... I love not knowing how far I can go until I actually get there... coz I will never get as far as I can go! cool!

All about New York...

Top time away with the Mrs!

Was cool seeing my Coz Alida who is still a very cool sassy crazy ass lady, had good times and wanna see her soon!

Bike guru Geoff came down from Boston to see us which in all honesty was amazing - cheers G.

Now Geoff is the reason I own Bianchi and he bought one his 3000 Bianchi bikes with him causing me to dribble hugely!

I hired a bike from a very cool and helpful cycle store on 88th and Lexington called Metro Cycles (right next to central park)and we rode the Central Park circuit a couple of times.

I was buzzing from this. The views, the weather, riding with Geoff and the fact it was the furthest I have riden to date - a total of just over 12 miles.

Ok road trip to Boston followed to stalk Geoff and see the other half of my bike Gurus Bianchi Babe Kathy! Anyway it was so cool to catch up and stuff - thanks guys...

No more bike riding in NY took place so the gym took place a few times on the exercise bike so I kept up some training and loads of walking - seriously bloody loads!

The weighty issue update 2/5/09

Hi all... well the few of you who kindly reads this...

It's been two weeks since I updated the fat blog, this has been due to a mix of holidays and knackered laptop.

So...

Hows the weight?

In the last two weeks I have lost FOUR POUNDS, this makes a total loss of 1 stone 8 pounds since I started.

Still a long way to go - everything is moving in the right direction and I am a lil pleased with myself.

Oh yes my BMI has come down over 5 points so far!

ta

c

Back from New York...

Hey,

Ok I know I have been quiet for a week or so and with good reason. I was in NYC on hols and having a blast.

I will have a full update later including details of...

The central park cycle
Stairs at the subway
New gear
and drums

I am sure you are just real excited now aren't ya..!

till then...

and please will someone read this bloody blog hee hee

c

I don't want a push up bra...

It is true , yesterday I went on the exercise bike again in this rather wonderful hotel. I did 35 mins non stop with a rough bpm of 129 and rpm ave. of 76, I also managed to increase the bike difficulty at certain points. I could go on I kinda like this data stuff and to mark this wonderful discovery I have splashed out on a HRM watch thing. I just hope the chest band is flexible enough for my rounded chest and does not make me look like I am wearing a bloody push up bra. grrrr. Anyways have fun and blog soon Craig

oh bugger... tomorrow am is weigh day so lookj out for either a great happy blog or one of sadness and abuse. c

The weighty issue....

Ok fat fans... since I started my health kick - eating right/exercising I have lost 17 pounds... or 1 stone 3 pounds! Still a way to go yet... but the fat man is that lil bit thinner... I can defiantly feel my little finger moving more free... hee hee

I could have done the gym today ...sigh

Well...

I decided to give myself a break from cycle/exercise bike today after five days on the bounce...

I kinda missed it.

Today was a v cool day, spent it by the coast working - what a way to work - love it!

And tonight the glory that is ARSENAL moved on to the semi finals in the champions league..!

Also I feeling brave. Very brave.

From now I will publish my weight loss and other exciting info...

keep looking and get your friends to come and join us here.

C

when do you know you have been staying in hotels too long?

you know when you been in a hotel too much when you can recite the following:

• room service menu
• receptionists names
• cab drivers names who pick me up
• have a favourite room /floor

and when you are known on first name terms... I dunno if this pleases me or makes me feel like screaming! :-)
Ok enuff with the rubbish.... today has been a long day with a mega early start and long journey. Have spent the last 4 days at home with the Mrs and have been on the bike each day... I really missed it today... Odd hey? so.... i ventured into the gym and manged 32 mins non stop on the exercise bike ave 76 rpm... Loved seeing the miles stack up and the heart rate monitor - was really cool... this is going in the to purchase list. another great day and another night in a hotel -

Cycling...

Today...

I am quite pleased with myself...

Managed the usual 5 mile circuit without stopping.

Ok.. I appreciate 5 miles is like "so, what!" to some people but to me this signified a first milestone reached!

Big smiles
Sore legs

c

Gear man...

My new road bike is..

Bianchi via nerone sora (thanks to 'beastgp' my mentor, guru and buddy)

Love it, love it, love it!

Gets my fat ass around and never groaned at me once... the bike not my ass...

loads to get now...

will update a purchase to purchase list soon...

Ta

C

Well ok... Right now I am thinking 'Why the hell am I doing a blog?' Who really cares about me being fat and starting to cycle..? or the fact I need to lose weight and get fit as being 'large as a bleedin house' gets on my bloody nerves, gets me down, is scaring me and aint clever!

So... Who am I?

• im Craig
• 37
• married
  
• work hard
• play the drums
• love Arsenal
• love music
• love life
• occasionally moody - hmmm well maybe a lil more than occasionally
• passionate about life
• committed to improving my fitness and losing weight
• 1st blog ever

This blog...

will let me share what I am thinking, feeling and doing to shift the pounds, to get fit and feel great. I will be open and honest and hope this will offer support to others in the same situation...

If this interests you then fantastic let me know as I crave your interest support and humor and even abuse.

Thankyou...

A guy called 'Frank Kinlan' has a website that motivated me to do this blog. I have never met him but he has been on a journey similar to my starting point and he has done amazing... Thanks Frank - if you ever should read this of course!

http://frank.kinlan.co.uk/ - check him out...

So, next I guess will be some blogging.

thanks for reading

Craig