At what weight did you start riding a bike?

So I see some of you guys ride bicycles and I am interested. I know at my weight it would be kind of impossible. I probably wouldn't even be able close my legs enough to get my feet on the peddles or lean over enough to hold on to the handle bars.

Sooo I'm wondering, at what weight did you guys feel comfortable riding a bicycle and what was the most difficult part?

I really like that there is a forum for people my size because I couldn't ask this question on the main board :)

I rode a mountain bike in college at 350-380lbs. I didn't have any problems except when I bought a cheap bike from Walmart and the seat post always slid down bc I was too heavy. Still rode it.  When I was about 300lbs, I did a 30 mile ride on my mountain bike a d had no problems. I wish I had started riding much sooner than I did but it's one of my fav activities now. 

350-380?!?! So I might be able to ride one right now??? I'm 335 (down from 380- I just have to keep saying it because it's so weird!). How tall are you? You didn't have a problem getting your legs/feet on? You're really the main reason I asked. Do you feel like it's more of a workout than walking?

 I'm 5"10. I'm pretty much proportioned evenly with large arms :-p I had no mechanical problems riding a bike - no issues getting on or stomach in the way or anything. 

Maybe you can go to a sports store and just try one out. Or if you have a gym
Membership, try a spin bike (or class). 

Id say I get an equal work out compared to walking/jogging. I get a great leg workout cycling. It's easier on my knees. 

The hardest part for me is just getting the nerve to go into the sport/bike shop and ask and put myself out there.  But I never let my fear or shame stop me. 

You can totally ride a bike! Maybe one day well ride together!

Oh. My. God. You're in Glendale!!!!

i am real nervous about riding a bike. i don't wanna be on it and the seat totally smushes between my cheeks....

Hey--I'm not much of a bike rider---although I do have a stationary.
I did though find some padded seats.  See this link.

http://www.bicycleseats.org/bicycle-seat-pads.htm

Might relieve some of the "smushies"

Oh biking can be all sorts of uncomfortable. I have my big old butt on a super skinny road bike seat and I cant even imagine what it looks like from behind, but my mantra : I DONT CARE.

Now chafing and rubbing and too much pressure between my legs - my long rides leave me limping. Maybe I'm crazy but I wouldnt change a thing :)

Ok, so bike riding. I love to bike ride.

I have had to think "outside the box" to be creative in excersizing and finding ways that I was going to be able to excersize. I started my journey out at a top weight of 654 lbs. So at that point I was not riding any sort of bike. (I talk about my journey in my blogs though) Although I was already thinking about how I was going to be able to do this again some day. Currently at 313 lbs (this morning my scale is showing a 4 lbs gain.... but anyhow) I am still riding my indoor stationary bike. I have had to ride this in a way that is not standard. I started to ride this back in June 2011. When I first started to ride I would put the pedal part up on my bed, as I could not yet get to the floor. I say this because I cannot yet ride it with the seat attached. So with my determination I thought about how I could make this happen. I have a stationary bike that I was able to take apart. I have now lost enough weight that I am able to get up and down off the floor and so now I ride this on the floor. I have two reasons for my not being able to ride while on the seat. One is that I have a bad knee that needs a total knee replacement, so when lying down I am able to ride and not hurt it. I am stable. Also due to my hanging belly apron. I have about a grade 5 belly hang. So riding while sitting on the the seat is not happening yet. I know that one day I will be able to ride my bike outdoors. I have a bike that I did ride at one time, and I was bigger than I am now. I was over 450 lbs at that time I was riding it. However as I gained more and more weight my belly apron hang grew super enourmously huge. I now have to be patient to be able to work on things step by step to ride outdoors again (I will get there). I have a really big seat on my mountain bike that I road at over 450 lbs. So I know that when I am able to, the bike will be comfortable and also is sturdy and strong.

I did take my bike out of storage and had it worked on to make sure it is all in working condition and safe. My fiance' bought a bike and we were going to try to ride one day. It was a laughing foolish mistake to think that I could just get on and ride it. Needless to say, I fell trying and so I knew then I would not be able to yet ride. I wanted it so bad. My visions saw me riding it, but my body showed me factually that I was not ready. I got back up, and got back on, sitting there on that seat I said... ONE DAY I WILL GET BACK ON YOU AND RIDE YOU!! I got off and now it sits out in our garage waiting for the day that I attempt it again and succeed!! I was determined, but I know that I have to have patience. I have to have my knee fixed and my belly apron taken care of first.

Where there is a will there is always a way and with creativity and determination there is usually a way to get to do things. Even if not the way you want to do it, you will get there. Remember to "think outside the box" although probably all of us have had to do that on more than one occasion when it came to our extremely obese bodies getting in the way of something or hindering something. We have SKILLS you know!!

OK, hugs and bye bye for now! Best luck with your biking endevours!!
Sherrie

I combine to name a few bike riding, walking, eliptical, yoga, and swimming. Keeps my body guessing. Excersize can be very creative! Have fun with what ever you are doing!!

Oh, yes and to the post that they worried about their seat of the bike being eaten up by their butt cheeks... there are all kinds of big seats out there that are gear to the big butts!!

No Worries!