Magnus Backstedt is the perfect example of a big, powerful rider
(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
I am a bigger rider: 6'4", 240lbs. I was slim and gangly until my late 30's but metabolism changes. Now, I could stand (and would love) to slim off 20 of those pounds. I will never look like the typical cyclist and will never compete but I intend to ride from Seattle to Miami before I am 60 (in 3 years). Packing on weight is incredibly easy but taking it off is discouragingly slow. Much of that is age but if I can increase my bodies efficiency at pulling energy out of storage, my rides would be much more enjoyable, I would look and feel much better and therefore, I would ride more often. How do I encourage my body to do that? Unfortunately, it turns out that I am ignorant when it comes to hydration, and nothing I've done feels right after two or three hours. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
– Ralph Marshall
I unfortunately have one of those bodies that rarely swings more than five pounds either way and I eat almost everything—so I cannot pull from personal experience on this one. I do ride with some Clydesdales who can put down the power. At 6-foot, 4-inches, 240-pounds is not too heavy, but losing 20-pounds will concentrate less of that torso on the saddle and make riding ore pleasant. The only way to ride weight off is to ride often, and that means two hour-long rides mid-week and one longer, 2-hours plus on the weekend. Water is always the key to weight loss, so fill a water bottle and take it with you to the office, and while you drive around town. As far as eating goes, the only tip that makes sense is to avoid the post ride feast. Use an electrolyte replacement and eat a Balance bar (something with a mix of carbohydrates, protein and fat) for recovery. Your body burns calories for up to two hours after an effort, so much of the weight loss potential of a workout occurs after the fact. It takes time, plan on a one-year weight loss cycle and you’ll be successful. Also, buy 180-millimeter cranks. You will climb better and your cadence will not suffer too much because you have long legs.
Contact Richard Cunningham for questions or comments, or just to talk bikes at: askRC@roadbikeaction.com
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