Fat Guy Across America

[GovernorSilver]

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/600-pound-man-bikes-coast-coast-save-marriage-lose-weight-n398616

After separating from his wife and being stuck in a rut with his health and his job, 560-pound Eric Hites decided to make a change — by biking 3,200 mile across country.

Keeping a blog called “Fat Guy Across America,” Hites started pedaling the second week of June from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, and hopes to make it to the Orange County, California coast by the end of the year.

Hites has a trailer attached to his bike that carries all his trip essentials, including the tent he uses to sleep in each night.

The Indiana man hit a bump in the road last week when both rims on his bike bent.

Stuck in Newport, Rhode Island he had the chance to talk with strangers about his journey and add to his newest book that he hopes to complete after his trip.

“It’s been awesome,” Hites told NBC News. “I get to meet so many cool people and have lots of cool conversations.”

Topic

[GovernorSilver]

Good points dkel and KLizotte.

I agree that his estimated date for arriving at his destination is a bit too optimistic, among other issues. Like everyone else, I wish him the best.

[Terpfan]

http://www.newson6.com/story/29673795/man-bicycling-across-america-killed-in-oklahoma-wreck

Ugh, “According to the trooper’s report, Wanninkhof and Anderson were riding west when a westbound 2014 Chevy driven by Sarah Morris, 34, of Cordell hit them. She told troopers she was distracted by looking at her phone when she hit the bicyclists, according to the OHP report. Morris wasn’t hurt, troopers said.”

[dkel]

This isn’t the same guy as in the OP, but it’s still tragic. I involuntarily slapped my hand over my open mouth when I read the headline: it’s stunning and sobering every damn time.

[wheelswings]

@Terpfan 121174 wrote:

http://www.newson6.com/story/29673795/man-bicycling-across-america-killed-in-oklahoma-wreck

Ugh, “According to the trooper’s report, Wanninkhof and Anderson were riding west when a westbound 2014 Chevy driven by Sarah Morris, 34, of Cordell hit them. She told troopers she was distracted by looking at her phone when she hit the bicyclists, according to the OHP report. Morris wasn’t hurt, troopers said.”

Sickening and sad. Driving + smartphones are a deadly combination. I wonder if the cellphone industry would consider taking this problem on with a massive public campaign. Using a phone while driving should be scorned and abhorred by all. I can ask my bicycling friends at Apple and at Google, for starters.

[mstone]

We’ll have self driving cars before we have people willing to pay attention while driving. Can’t come soon enough.

[GovernorSilver]

He’s moved his blog to Facebook:
http://www.fatguyacrossamerica.com/journal/2015/8/20/the-aftermath

https://www.facebook.com/fatguyacrossamerica?pnref=lhc

He did eventually get his new ride from the LBS in RI – a GT. His wife has since joined him, so the “ride to win back his wife” has turned into a couple’s tour. Aside from the progress in their marriage, he’s continued to lose weight.

[IMG]https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11885368_872677932823804_2591700449743710471_n.jpg?oh=75f8cfe99a62ce536066fa1ae805f76b&oe=5637918E[/IMG]

Aug. 21 article about the two crossing the border:
http://www.thewesterlysun.com/news/latestnews/7666041-129/fat-guy-across-america-ready-to-cross-ri-conn-border-saturday.html

[sarahybillington]

Ragbrai next year in Iowa anyone? I’d be game!

[KLizotte]

Holy cow! Fat Guy on a Bike is still riding across the U.S. Just crossed into TX! Doesn’t seem to have lost any weight though.

https://www.facebook.com/fatguyacrossamerica/timeline

[Judd]

@KLizotte 140736 wrote:

Holy cow! Fat Guy on a Bike is still riding across the U.S. Just crossed into TX! Doesn’t seem to have lost any weight though.

https://www.facebook.com/fatguyacrossamerica/timeline

Looks like he’s lost about 90 pounds, going from 576 to 480 according to his website at: http://www.fatguyacrossamerica.com

I checked out his Strava page. He’s averaging about 10 miles per day.

[Author]

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