Exciting and somewhat scary news from me
Hi Guys,
I don't get over here much these days. It's nice to see familiar and new faces on the board. It's hard to believe that I am approaching my 3rd surgiversary. Things are going very good. I wanted to let you guys know about an interesting thing I am doing this summer.
I am joining a straight weight loss surgery buddy on a 7-10 day cycling trip. We are biking from Pittsburgh to Annapolis, MD at the end of June and beginning of July. It's about 370+ miles. We are doing this self-supported and camping and staying in hostels. (Well a night at the ever popular Aaron from this board while in Cumberland.)
It is really out of my comfort zone, but when my pal Chuck asked me I knew I had to make the journey. Chuck is a person I admire so highly and motivates me so. I know his support and encouragement will help me achieve this goal. I wanted some sort of challenge that would really expand my horizons. I think this trip will. I would have never done this as a pre-op fat guy.
If you guys want to read more about us and our journey, we started a blog at www.crossingrivers.com. We plan on blogging as we cycle and share a lot of our thoughts. It will be a great time and something I will remember for the rest of my life.
Tom
I don't get over here much these days. It's nice to see familiar and new faces on the board. It's hard to believe that I am approaching my 3rd surgiversary. Things are going very good. I wanted to let you guys know about an interesting thing I am doing this summer.
I am joining a straight weight loss surgery buddy on a 7-10 day cycling trip. We are biking from Pittsburgh to Annapolis, MD at the end of June and beginning of July. It's about 370+ miles. We are doing this self-supported and camping and staying in hostels. (Well a night at the ever popular Aaron from this board while in Cumberland.)
It is really out of my comfort zone, but when my pal Chuck asked me I knew I had to make the journey. Chuck is a person I admire so highly and motivates me so. I know his support and encouragement will help me achieve this goal. I wanted some sort of challenge that would really expand my horizons. I think this trip will. I would have never done this as a pre-op fat guy.
If you guys want to read more about us and our journey, we started a blog at www.crossingrivers.com. We plan on blogging as we cycle and share a lot of our thoughts. It will be a great time and something I will remember for the rest of my life.
Tom
Follow my journey to a happy, healthy, active life at TomBilcze.com
Nancy, I do cycle a lot. My pal Chuck and I are just ready for a challenge. I've cycled up to 75 miles a day and can easily do 40 miles. So, the ride broken down to 40-50 mile days will be doable. Well, we'll see how 8-9 days straight work. I've yet to do that. I am looking forward to Annapolis. We were going to end in D.C. but my pal wants to make it to the Chesapeake Bay and says Annapolis is the closest point to D.C. Tom
Follow my journey to a happy, healthy, active life at TomBilcze.com
It is hard to believe that three years has passed. My date is 07/16. So, we will finish the ride about 2 weeks prior -- a nice celebration. I know from day 1 that I have been concerned about my long term success. So many articles I read quote the failures of people 5 years out. I still worry about how much a success that I will be at 5 years. Well, 3 down and 2 to go. I can't imagine slipping back in the net two years. I guess goals like this will help me on my way. -- Tom
Follow my journey to a happy, healthy, active life at TomBilcze.com
Good for you. I did the CA AIDS Ride (560 miles in 7 days) many years ago, and I have some advice that might be helpful.
1) Make sure to have LOTS of butt balm with you. That will help more than you imagine on a really long ride.
2) Make sure to keep well hydrated and well fueled. Lots of small snacks while you bike.
3) As you hit the hills, don't look up, just look in front of you and a little down. They will be less daunting.
4) Remember that it's not a race, it's a ride. Enjoy it.
5) When you are getting tired or bored, just keep the Ellen Degeneres line from Finding Nemo in your head: "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming."
6)Remember, that as a friend of mine said when her derailer broke about an hour from a pit stop and I asked her if she wanted to quit until it got fixed, "Nah, I can do anything for an hour, and I mean anything."
7) And finally, be careful of the letdown after the high at the end. That was the one thing I was not expecting and it hit me like a brick wall. After basically living on the bike for a week and feeling the connection with the others, going back to real life was tough. Forewarned is forearmed.
And have a great trip. Looking forward to hearing all about it.
1) Make sure to have LOTS of butt balm with you. That will help more than you imagine on a really long ride.
2) Make sure to keep well hydrated and well fueled. Lots of small snacks while you bike.
3) As you hit the hills, don't look up, just look in front of you and a little down. They will be less daunting.
4) Remember that it's not a race, it's a ride. Enjoy it.
5) When you are getting tired or bored, just keep the Ellen Degeneres line from Finding Nemo in your head: "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming."
6)Remember, that as a friend of mine said when her derailer broke about an hour from a pit stop and I asked her if she wanted to quit until it got fixed, "Nah, I can do anything for an hour, and I mean anything."
7) And finally, be careful of the letdown after the high at the end. That was the one thing I was not expecting and it hit me like a brick wall. After basically living on the bike for a week and feeling the connection with the others, going back to real life was tough. Forewarned is forearmed.
And have a great trip. Looking forward to hearing all about it.
Every dinner needs a side dish, on a slightly smaller plate. - Book of Mormon (The Musical)
Starting weight: 354 Surgery weight: 322 Current weight: 183
Thanks for the advice! I am fortunate that my pal is an RNY marathon runner and has a lot of experience in nutrition for bariatric patients in extended physical activities. He's been getting me educated on the fueling oneself for this ride.
We are looking at this as an adventure and is our vacation. We intend to take our time. We are passing through a lot of Civil War history and intend to do some sightseeing. He wants to kayak and I am open to doing it for the first time.
I have just started thinking of the end. I see it as emotional. It will be strange I bet coming home after spending 8-10 days on the bike.
Tom
We are looking at this as an adventure and is our vacation. We intend to take our time. We are passing through a lot of Civil War history and intend to do some sightseeing. He wants to kayak and I am open to doing it for the first time.
I have just started thinking of the end. I see it as emotional. It will be strange I bet coming home after spending 8-10 days on the bike.
Tom
Follow my journey to a happy, healthy, active life at TomBilcze.com
I lost 33 pounds before surgery. My new life has finally began
Thanks, Lisa! Chuck is speaking at this month's support group meeting about cycling and the parks. I believe he is also talking about the cycling club and may mention our ride. -- Tom
Follow my journey to a happy, healthy, active life at TomBilcze.com
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