PrinceVlad

Hi guys I hope everyone is doing well. Before I begin, just a short recap. After my miserably failed attempt at getting myself in shape by taking on a massive challenge which I posted on here about, things actually started looking up and from 2018 to 2019, I lost a fair amount of weight. In fact, I went from about 128kgs at the beginning of 2019 to just over 100kgs by the end of the year. And then COVID happened. So, long story short, I'm back to where I started.....heavy and without a bike. I have now started looking at getting a bike again and my budget is R8k max. From lurking and reading on the internet for the past two days, it seems I have a few options: 1. Buy a cheaper bike like an Apex, cheaper Titan, or the like. These are available for, it seems, anything from R5k to about R8k. The problem is the components and, from what I read, the wheels might not carry my weight. 2. Buy second-hand. Here, the problem is that I don't know enough to tell good from bad, so I might end up buying a dud. 3. Buy an old 26er, and spend some money on fitting quality components and wheels. Now, my proposed use will be mostly to get fit and thinner. Ultimately, I want to do a triathlon again, but road bikes seem to be out of the equation now due to my weight. But, I'll need to buy a road bike in the future which means that, in all probability, I'll only use the bike in the interim. Any advice?

Well, after my failed earlier challenge to do Cullinan2Tonteldoos (https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/164453-dont-call-me-crazy), I am in this year to try for some serious weight loss. I started the year at 128.4kgs, now at 125kgs and I plan to do low carb with intermittent fasting to lose the weight.

Still training and trying to get in the time in the saddle. The difficulty I am having is fitting in the training when working in the week and on weekends. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Also looking to share a support driver. Looking at average of 260km / 24hrs[emoji51] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks guys. Now back to my initial question. Is there somewhere I can rent a dual suspension bike? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Maybe expressed myself wrong. The sole motivation for training is not just the race. It is one of the motivators. Lets call it a goal. So the main motivation is being healthier and weight loss and the race is a goal along the way. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Giving up is too hard! And with no event my motivation for training is gone! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi Guys Still here. Its just been hectic the past two weeks. Between my practice starting to get busy and the kids going back to school (with all the obligatory meetings at the school) I barely had time for anything else. We also started a new business so that takes a fair amount of time as well. The training since I've been back from holiday has not been bad, but it is not where I wanted it to be. My last ride was last week Wednesday, but that has been through my own doing. I went for a ride the morning which was fine and then went for a slow ride the afternoon with my daughter on her rollerblades. The pace was so slow so I tried some of the tricks you normally see on youtube. The only difference is on youtube they are done well. So I played and played and at one stage I just lost it, came over the handlebars and my not so petite frame hit the tar with quite a force. I was fine afterward and on Thursday, but from Friday I have been so stiff it felt as if I ran a marathon. Be that as it may, the training program starts this week so the volume will definitely pick up now and today I am back on the bike. I have also started thinking about all the stuff I need for the race. One thing I definitely need is a dual suspension bike. I think the hardtail will kill you over that distance. So I was wondering whether there are any places where you could rent a bike for the race. Obviously my dream is to buy a proper dual suspension, but alas my budget is the problem. I tell you, that Specialized Camber is keeping me up at night! Another thing I will have to consider is a GPS. I have a Fenix 3, but I have no idea whether it can navigate such a route. I was thinking of getting the E-trex, but I am not sure whether it will work for the race. I like that it has replaceable batteries and long battery life. More updates to follow!

Friday Update Morning RHR - forgot to check Weight - 123kgs (down 400g) Fitness Score - 16.3 Caloric Intake - Thursday 7908kj Training - 15km ride, 1hr, Avg HR 142bpm Had a nice ride this morning, not too easy, not too hard. I also tried a new ride which was nice. Tomorrows plan is to do some hill repeats and then Sunday will be a rest day. I took the advice of slow and steady weight loss to heart and I will now be focussing on consistent weight loss rather than a lot now just to gain it back later. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thursday Update Morning RHR - 58bpm Weight - 123,4kgs (down 100g) Training - 13km ride, 1hr, avg HR 124 Training score - 14.6 Caloric intake - Wednesday 7951kj I did an easy ride this morning trying to keep my HR below 130. I found that since I changed my watch's settings to just show time it is more enjoyable because I am not chasing a set distance each time. Weight wise I am almost back to where I was before we left for the December holidays, so happy with that. Would you guys recommend that I do some Gym training as well or should I run on days I am not riding?

Wednesday Update Morning RHR - 53bpm Weight - 123.5kgs Training - 17km ride Caloric intake - Monday 6277kj, Tuesday 8687kj Did a nice hard ride this afternoon with a 155bpm average HR. I can definitely feel it in my legs. I changed my watch to only show HR and Time and I removed distance. I find that if I look at the distance I try to ride a set distance get bored just trying to make up the distance. Tomorrow's plan is a 1hr easy ride. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

At this stage it's only me and my bike

Good advice, especially since I am a notorious over complicator! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

By the way, another lesson learned......do not postpone your training to the afternoon, 90% of the time it wont happen. It just seems that afternoons are too unpredictable for me. From now on will train the mornings Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just afraid that if I go completely LCHF with the limited time remaining my training will be impacted. But I dont necessarily want to go the route of bread, pasta and/or energy drinks and bars because that clearly doesn't work for me. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk