When I first started

About 2 years ago when I first got back into cycling I was 150kg and very unfit. My Doctor said if you don't do anything about it you'll get diabetes and die early, also my Dad had a triple bypass in his 50s and I didn't want any of this to happen to me. 

I decided that cycling was the go so I borrowed my Son's bike which he got from Toys R Us ( not exactly a Cannondale) and I struggled to make it around the block. Eventually I bought a better hybrid bike from my LBS which made it better but I still struggled.

The first time I rode to the city from my place (about 11km) it took me about an hour riding with a tail wind slightly downhill. The ride back almost killed me it about 2.5 hours and I had to stop many times out of breath with my legs screaming at me. I remember riding over fire hydrant covers on the road and it would totally take the wind out of my sail bringing me almost to a complete stop. "This is impossible for me, I'll never be able to do this!"

Fortunately I persisted and each week I got better and fitter bit by bit. Then I was introduced to AC and found many people who have now become my friends who have encouraged me and kept me motivated. Many of these people have a similar story to me.

It continues to amaze me how much these people really do care and are willing and able to help and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. They are partly responsible for saving my life to a degree.

Now I have lost 30kg with more to lose but I now ride to the city and back almost everyday to work. Yesterday I did 40km from West Beach to OH and back and did it in a canter (apart from the sore bum, my fault for not wearing chamois).

So anyone out there starting up and thinking "I can't do this it's too hard". You can do it and you're not alone!

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Permalink Reply by Barry Norsworthy on April 25, 2011 at 12:36

Fantastic Mark, an inspiration for all.Bike riding caters for all catagories of activity and best of all, can ride on the same day, same track and same time as the young and fast !!!!!

Permalink Reply by Patrick O'Kane on April 25, 2011 at 12:47

keep up the good work Mark. I first became aware of you around Grand Slam 1, myself and Baron saw you leaving Gumeracha and both commented to each other on what a difficult ride someone of you size was in for. We were both impressed to see you out there and having a go, a few days later you posted on here and I worked out who you were.

I'm a runt at 68ish KG and I find it hard sometimes, so you have my admiration and respect for sticking at it and maintaining a good outlook.

Permalink Reply by MARK FERGUSON (SPARTACUS) on April 25, 2011 at 14:23
I found it hard alright!
Permalink Reply by CLP on April 25, 2011 at 13:00

Fantastic write up Mark!  and very inspirational! :)

 

I think i've been fortunate in that i've never really stopped cycling (in some form) since junior primary. That being said, over the past few years I've encouraged a number of people to take up cycling and had the pleasure of watching them progress and improve over time. 

 

Keep up the good work! :)

Permalink Reply by Juz on April 25, 2011 at 13:07

And the wonderful carry-over part of your story Mark, is that you're now out here encouraging us newbies to keep at it too.  I know you've been a great source of encouragement for me and I'm very thankful for that.

 

Permalink Reply by Michael French on April 25, 2011 at 15:51

You're an inspiration to us all Mark :) Earlier this year I just wanted to improve my fitness as I was feeling quite unfit, I tried to mix cycling on my old MTB and running, I've never been a long distance runner so I didn't stick at that for very long, but I was out every day on my bike on my 3 weeks annual leave that I took, by the end of the 3 weeks I was riding my new Giant Defy 1, Haven't looked back since, although being sick is peeving me off and I wanna be out there riding but just don't have the energy to do so. 

 

I also have Type 1 Diabetes so keeping fit on the bike has done wonders for that :)

 

 

Permalink Reply by Bec on April 25, 2011 at 16:06
Mark thanks for sharing your story with us you are doing so well and you should be very proud of your achievements to date... Just keep riding and the rest will happen :-)
Permalink Reply by MARK FERGUSON (SPARTACUS) on April 25, 2011 at 16:24
Thanks to anyone for their kind words. It is my great hope that others who are over weight and unfit to get something out of my story.
Permalink Reply by Specialised Roubaix on April 25, 2011 at 17:02

Thanks Mark

For years I never rode more than a half hour due to obesity.  Started doing the mini slam series this year and fortunately my partner has also begun to ride so we go out after work most nights of the week.  Am starting to loose the kilo's and fitness is improving greatly.  I rode from Modbury to city last week arriiving without looking like I had just come out of a carwash and within a short while pulse had settled.  I didnt push it but even so was good to arrive feeling comfortable & fit.  I am riding a hybrid & have set a goal to get down a further 20kg & buy a new racing style bike as a reward.

The LBS said dont buy a carbon frame at my weight as they are not strong enough.  Any info on weight limits for carbon frames?

I too have enjoyed reading the various posts on AC

Keep up the good work

Thanks

Jules

Permalink Reply by MARK FERGUSON (SPARTACUS) on April 25, 2011 at 18:10
Thanks Jules, not sure about weight limits for carbon frames but I'm sure someone on the AC site could advise you. I now ride an Avanti Vivace which is an alloy bike and I love it.
Permalink Reply by RD6 on April 25, 2011 at 17:14
Great Blog there Mark, gusty and having a go, this is what life is all about, I am the same as you started cycling two years ago and never looked back ( going from couch potato to avid cyclist ) , I am getting stronger & fitter.
Permalink Reply by Paul on April 25, 2011 at 21:02

Top effort on the weight loss Mark.  

 

I got more serious about riding a couple of years ago.  I  cut out the booze and junk food and no bread or potatoes.  I dropped nearly 30kgs over time.  Im still fat but im fit now.  I still weigh on the wrong side of 100kgs.

 

A few years ago a ride from Tea Tree Gully to town and back was about my limit.  Now a ride like that is easy.  This year I did the Tour Down Under ride in under five hours and the Coast to Coast ride in 4 hours on a single speed.  Having a bunch a riding mates that are quicker than me has been really good as trying to keep up with them makes me push myself.  Approaching riding with the right attitude has worked well for me.  When I see a hill now I know that I can ride up it where before I dreaded the site of hills.

 

Congrats on your achievements once again and keep going and pushing harder and further.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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