Can’t miss DC area rides

[ShawnoftheDread]

Do the 50 States ride if it’s held before you leave.

[Tim Kelley]

@4st7lbs 53564 wrote:

Thanks to spending a ton of time at the gym this past fall and winter, I’ve dropped (another) 50lbs so I can finally get out of saddle to climb hills and easily ride over 50 miles a day.

Do you have progress pictures of your weight loss journey? I remember that you had a pretty impressive back story!

[TwoWheelsDC]

I always enjoy riding out in Poolesville, doing the Sugarloaf loop. It’s only minutes away (by car), but so peaceful it’s like you’re out in the middle of nowhere. The loop I’ve done several times is based on the BikeWashington route, and is about 54 miles if you include a ride up Sugarloaf. The road up/down Sugarloaf is in rough shape, but the views at the top are pretty nice, as are the views all around the loop.

[KLizotte]

Tour de Fat this Saturday. Challenge Ride in Crystal City on June 9. Maybe try to do all of the Anacostia Trails in one day (they are a lot less crowded than the VA trails and very pretty too).

Many congrats on the massive weight loss. That is so hard to do!

[jabberwocky]

@Tim Kelley 53569 wrote:

Do you have progress pictures of your weight loss journey? I remember that you had a pretty impressive back story!

Semi-hijack, but a friend and ex-coworker had a pretty impressive weight-loss story. I dug up the article he had done several years ago: http://www.globaltrigroup.com/events/ironman/worldchampionship/mathew-dale-profiles-a-man-who-has-made-huge-changes-in-order-to-compete-in-kona#axzz2UnwMIpiM

[bobco85]

@4st7lbs 53564 wrote:

My wife and I are moving to the Twin Cities in the fall so I’m trying to do all of the cool and fun rides around DC before we leave and need some advice. Thanks to spending a ton of time at the gym this past fall and winter, I’ve dropped (another) 50lbs so I can finally get out of saddle to climb hills and easily ride over 50 miles a day. Right now the only long rides I have planned are a Saturday ride from DC to Baltimore for an Os game in July and trek out to the western end of the W&OD trail next month but would like to do some others before we leave. What are some of your favorite rides in the DMV area?

Oh, don’cha know! (My dad and his side of the family are from southern Minnesota)

I’d recommend the C&O Canal Towpath as far as you’ll let it take you (WV or even PA if you get on the Great Allegheny Passage).

Well, even though it’s not quite in the DMV area, I’d recommend getting out to experience the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Festival in July. Takes place in Harrisonburg (2 hours from DC) and features a couple of rides (family, 25, 50, and 100 miles) full of hilly terrain. Extremely beautiful area, even if you don’t go for the festival.

[Tim Kelley]

@jabberwocky 53573 wrote:

Semi-hijack, but a friend and ex-coworker had a pretty impressive weight-loss story. I dug up the article he had done several years ago: http://www.globaltrigroup.com/events/ironman/worldchampionship/mathew-dale-profiles-a-man-who-has-made-huge-changes-in-order-to-compete-in-kona#axzz2UnwMIpiM

Those Ironman guys–what can’t they do!??

Great read.

[creadinger]

@4st7lbs 53564 wrote:

My wife and I are moving to the Twin Cities in the fall…

That sounds like a fun move. My brother lives north of town in Wyoming, MN. We’ll be out to visit him this summer and if the weather doesn’t suck I’ll be bringing my bike.

While you’re continuing your weight loss journey it may be helpful to know that Minnesota has its own randonneur group, and much less climbing than around here. So maybe a goal for next year may be to do one of these rides.
http://www.minnesotarandonneurs.org/

I’m hoping to do the “Cry Me a River 200K” in July.

As for around here – if you have the time, it would be worth riding the full length of the GAP trail, or the C&O canal for history’s sake.

[DaveK]

@Tim Kelley 53569 wrote:

Do you have progress pictures of your weight loss journey? I remember that you had a pretty impressive back story!

I’d love to see it too if you’re comfortable sharing pictures.

[PotomacCyclist]

FYI: The Crystal Ride is called the Challenge Ride this year, but it’s the same event. It’s open to any and all cyclists of all levels. Ride as little or as much as you can in 3.5 hours.

[dbb]

@PotomacCyclist 53598 wrote:

FYI: The Crystal Ride is called the Challenge Ride this year, but it’s the same event. It’s open to any and all cyclists of all levels. Ride as little or as much as you can in 3.5 hours.

I think it is the weekend of June 8 however, not June 13

[NicDiesel]

@Tim Kelley 53569 wrote:

Do you have progress pictures of your weight loss journey? I remember that you had a pretty impressive back story!

Like a lot of super heavy people, I shied away from having my picture taken when I was at the 500lb mark but I think my parents might have a few shots when I was at 500lbs that I’ll post if I can get them to find them and scan them in. I’ve got quite a few from 450-400lbs transition and more recent ones in the sub-400 range that I’ll post as well. I try to take a picture of myself (shirtless) every day so I can create a timelapse once I hit my ideal weight. Trust me, nobody wants to see those though.

Unfortunately most of my “super heavy” clothes fell apart and got thrown out, but I do have a pair of pants I saved from that time period I’ll post as well with me wearing so you can see how large I used to be. I’ve still got at least another 140lbs or so to go before I hit my ideal healthy weight, but I’m on track to do that in the next two years. Considering that I couldn’t walk 1,000 feet four years ago and got an “E” on every scale I stepped on, I’ve made some pretty serious progress.

[NicDiesel]

@PotomacCyclist 53598 wrote:

FYI: The Crystal Ride is called the Challenge Ride this year, but it’s the same event. It’s open to any and all cyclists of all levels. Ride as little or as much as you can in 3.5 hours.

I’ll definitely do that since its right by our place. I assume this is also one of those deals where there are refueling stations and it’s cool to stop and rest, right?

[consularrider]

@4st7lbs 53631 wrote:

I’ll definitely do that since its right by our place. I assume this is also one of those deals where there are refueling stations and it’s cool to stop and rest, right?

There are no refueling stations, just one water stop. I think you can do a DIY fueling station as you leave the Air Force Memorial.

[JimF22003]

Keep up the great work, 4st7lbs. It’s an amazing thing to reclaim your life.

I’m a former super-obese person as well. I was up to about 475 at one point.

This one is me at about 440:

This is me at about 175:

It’s been just over 10 years since I had bariatric surgery. I would have been dead years ago without it. I still have my struggles with overeating, but I’ve found cycling to be my saving grace. I went from toodling 5 or 10 miles on the bike path, to now riding 8 or 9000 miles a year including 20-25 century rides a year.

I wish I had started riding earlier. I was down to about 225 before I bought my first hybrid. I know lots of heavier folks who do well on bikes.

[Author]

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