What cycling and commuting has done for me.

[Captain Slow]

About 11-12 years ago I developed some health issues due to a lack of exercise. Being busy with young children I decided to get an electric bike to ride to work to be time efficient with my exercise. It worked well as I went from about 190-195 lbs (I'm 5'9") down to about the 175-180 lb range over a number of years. I sold the electric bike to a co-worker as I got fitter and used a regular bike. But not long after I sold the bike I was wanting an electric again. While I could ride a regular bike (18 km's each way with some hills) I found I couldn't do it every day, I was too tired.

So I bought a Juiced CCS and now I could ride 5 days a week. My weight further dropped to around 168 lbs. - Unfortunately about 2 years ago despite my regular riding, my juice and pop obsession resulted in me being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. That plus a family history. Had to remove juice and pop from my diet and continued to ride even more. Because of the pandemic and my kids activities largely being cancelled I was able to get a lot more riding in.

A year ago I bought a Creo and have enjoyed it, but found I have recently not been using it much because the group I ride with most can't keep up with me so I ride my Cervelo instead. Changes in diet, plus regular riding with my "hockey dad" group during the pandemic and now on Zwift have resulted in much improved blood sugar levels and my weight dropping to 150 lbs. What's interesting is that when I got to about 165 lbs I was no longer trying to lose weight. But the weight coming off is a by product of managing blood sugar. I'm actually going to start weight lifting to try and gain back some weight. After the pandemic is done if I play basketball or hockey I'll get pushed around a lot if I don't put some weight back on!

I've sold the CCS to a friend and I'm riding my Cervelo almost exclusively and these days mainly indoor on Zwift. According to Zwift my FTP is now 203 watts so not far off 3 watts/kg.

I just think back in 2010 when I took delivery of my first electric bike. I rode it home (about 16 km's) and even with electric assistance the whole way I got leg cramps when I got home because my cycling muscles just weren't there. Now 11 years later and I'm a much stronger rider in better health. I doubt I would have gotten here without electric bikes helping make the process of getting stronger a lot easier and more enjoyable.

Despite my increased ability on the bike I'll always want an electric. You can always go further and faster with a motor

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Just a curiosity: Does your diabetes require insulin intake or just pills?

 

[Captain Slow]

Just taking pills at this point

 

[Deacon Blues]

I'm 5' 7" and 69 years old. Even though I was riding 150km per week my weight hit and all time high of 197 pounds. I was consuming a couple of glasses of wine each day and ate whatever I wanted, thinking the exercising would keep my weight down.
I was wrong.
So, last July my wife and I went on the Keto diet and I stopped drinking alcohol. I now weigh 154 pounds.

Last August I bought an e-gravel bike (Cannondale Topstone Neo Lefty 3). I loved riding it so much I put my Giant Defy away and only rode the Lefty 3.
Last month I decided to start riding the Defy again. With the weight loss it felt like I was riding a super light road bike. I guess that's what happens when you lose 43 pounds!
I still really like riding my Lefty 3, but I've renewed my love for my Defy.

I still ride my Lefty 3 more than my Defy, but that's mostly because I like exploring easy trails and gravels roads. With the Defy it's pavement only rides. Riding a bike with a full suspension is also easier on my old bones.

 

[Captain Slow]

I really like Giant bikes, but I would like a threaded BB. Hookless rims are a deal breaker for me. Definitely don't want them, limits tire selection too much.

 

[Marci jo]

About 11-12 years ago I developed some health issues due to a lack of exercise. Being busy with young children I decided to get an electric bike to ride to work to be time efficient with my exercise. It worked well as I went from about 190-195 lbs (I'm 5'9") down to about the 175-180 lb range over a number of years. I sold the electric bike to a co-worker as I got fitter and used a regular bike. But not long after I sold the bike I was wanting an electric again. While I could ride a regular bike (18 km's each way with some hills) I found I couldn't do it every day, I was too tired.

So I bought a Juiced CCS and now I could ride 5 days a week. My weight further dropped to around 168 lbs. - Unfortunately about 2 years ago despite my regular riding, my juice and pop obsession resulted in me being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. That plus a family history. Had to remove juice and pop from my diet and continued to ride even more. Because of the pandemic and my kids activities largely being cancelled I was able to get a lot more riding in.

A year ago I bought a Creo and have enjoyed it, but found I have recently not been using it much because the group I ride with most can't keep up with me so I ride my Cervelo instead. Changes in diet, plus regular riding with my "hockey dad" group during the pandemic and now on Zwift have resulted in much improved blood sugar levels and my weight dropping to 150 lbs. What's interesting is that when I got to about 165 lbs I was no longer trying to lose weight. But the weight coming off is a by product of managing blood sugar. I'm actually going to start weight lifting to try and gain back some weight. After the pandemic is done if I play basketball or hockey I'll get pushed around a lot if I don't put some weight back on!

I've sold the CCS to a friend and I'm riding my Cervelo almost exclusively and these days mainly indoor on Zwift. According to Zwift my FTP is now 203 watts so not far off 3 watts/kg.

I just think back in 2010 when I took delivery of my first electric bike. I rode it home (about 16 km's) and even with electric assistance the whole way I got leg cramps when I got home because my cycling muscles just weren't there. Now 11 years old and I'm a much stronger rider in better health. I doubt I would have gotten here without electric bikes helping make the process of getting stronger a lot easier and more enjoyable.

Despite my increased ability on the bike I'll always want an electric. You can always go further and faster with a motor

Congrats to you Captain on your improved health.
Cycling is so much fun it’s hard to think of it as exercise.

 

[Alaskan]

@Captain Slow What a great journey these ebikes take us on.

Three years in ebiking this month and 30 lbs. lighter at 6'1 I was 238, 208 today and still going down slowly. I do drink a nice full glass of red wine four or five nights per week. At 70 with a limited ticker after surviving a widowmaker MI, I can sustain a three hour ride with average output around 110 watts with regular spurts climbing around 200-280 watts. Most importantly all this has been done with a big fat, life embracing smile on my face, not a grimace of pain or compulsion.

Current bikes are Riese & Muller Delite Mountain, Trek Allant+9.9s with a Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 2 in the shop being built up as this is being written.

 

[Marci jo]

@Captain Slow What a great journey these ebikes take us on.

Three years in ebiking this month and 30 lbs. lighter at 6'1 I was 238, 208 today and still going down slowly. I do drink a nice full glass of red wine four or five nights per week. At 70 with a limited ticker after surviving a widowmaker MI, I can sustain a three hour ride with average output around 110 watts with regular spurts climbing around 200-280 watts. Most importantly all this has been done with a big fat, life embracing smile on my face, not a grimace of pain or compulsion.

Current bikes are Riese & Muller Delite Mountain, Trek Allant+9.9s with a Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 2 in the shop being built up as this is being written.

Ah ha! Now we know Alaskan, it’s not the fabulous ebikes and your continued commitment to good health. It’s the red wine!!
Keep up the great work.

 

[Alaskan]

Ah ha! Now we know Alaskan, it not the fabulous ebikes and your continued commitment to good health. It the red wine!!
Keep up the great work.

You got it, Marci jo. In fact the wine is right next to the bike workshop in our basement.

 

[Captain Slow]

Alaskan I love your story. It's one of the best stories on this forum. I love how much of an impact ebikes have had on your life.

 

[Deacon Blues]

When I went on the Keto diet, and quit drinking wine, I thought I'd really miss my vino, but I was wrong.
What I really missed was BREAD.

 

[fooferdoggie]

When I went on the Keto diet, and quit drinking wine, I thought I'd really miss my vino, but I was wrong.
What I really missed was BREAD.

I know the feeling. I cant eat carbs they make me sick and bread was one ofd the things I really miss. good bread not the cheap stuff.

 

[steve mercier]

About 11-12 years ago I developed some health issues due to a lack of exercise. Being busy with young children I decided to get an electric bike to ride to work to be time efficient with my exercise. It worked well as I went from about 190-195 lbs (I'm 5'9") down to about the 175-180 lb range over a number of years. I sold the electric bike to a co-worker as I got fitter and used a regular bike. But not long after I sold the bike I was wanting an electric again. While I could ride a regular bike (18 km's each way with some hills) I found I couldn't do it every day, I was too tired.

So I bought a Juiced CCS and now I could ride 5 days a week. My weight further dropped to around 168 lbs. - Unfortunately about 2 years ago despite my regular riding, my juice and pop obsession resulted in me being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. That plus a family history. Had to remove juice and pop from my diet and continued to ride even more. Because of the pandemic and my kids activities largely being cancelled I was able to get a lot more riding in.

A year ago I bought a Creo and have enjoyed it, but found I have recently not been using it much because the group I ride with most can't keep up with me so I ride my Cervelo instead. Changes in diet, plus regular riding with my "hockey dad" group during the pandemic and now on Zwift have resulted in much improved blood sugar levels and my weight dropping to 150 lbs. What's interesting is that when I got to about 165 lbs I was no longer trying to lose weight. But the weight coming off is a by product of managing blood sugar. I'm actually going to start weight lifting to try and gain back some weight. After the pandemic is done if I play basketball or hockey I'll get pushed around a lot if I don't put some weight back on!

I've sold the CCS to a friend and I'm riding my Cervelo almost exclusively and these days mainly indoor on Zwift. According to Zwift my FTP is now 203 watts so not far off 3 watts/kg.

I just think back in 2010 when I took delivery of my first electric bike. I rode it home (about 16 km's) and even with electric assistance the whole way I got leg cramps when I got home because my cycling muscles just weren't there. Now 11 years later and I'm a much stronger rider in better health. I doubt I would have gotten here without electric bikes helping make the process of getting stronger a lot easier and more enjoyable.

Despite my increased ability on the bike I'll always want an electric. You can always go further and faster with a motor

Kudos Captain Slow!

 

[Art Deco]

About 11-12 years ago I developed some health issues due to a lack of exercise. Being busy with young children I decided to get an electric bike to ride to work to be time efficient with my exercise. It worked well as I went from about 190-195 lbs (I'm 5'9") down to about the 175-180 lb range over a number of years. I sold the electric bike to a co-worker as I got fitter and used a regular bike. But not long after I sold the bike I was wanting an electric again. While I could ride a regular bike (18 km's each way with some hills) I found I couldn't do it every day, I was too tired.

So I bought a Juiced CCS and now I could ride 5 days a week. My weight further dropped to around 168 lbs. - Unfortunately about 2 years ago despite my regular riding, my juice and pop obsession resulted in me being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. That plus a family history. Had to remove juice and pop from my diet and continued to ride even more. Because of the pandemic and my kids activities largely being cancelled I was able to get a lot more riding in.

A year ago I bought a Creo and have enjoyed it, but found I have recently not been using it much because the group I ride with most can't keep up with me so I ride my Cervelo instead. Changes in diet, plus regular riding with my "hockey dad" group during the pandemic and now on Zwift have resulted in much improved blood sugar levels and my weight dropping to 150 lbs. What's interesting is that when I got to about 165 lbs I was no longer trying to lose weight. But the weight coming off is a by product of managing blood sugar. I'm actually going to start weight lifting to try and gain back some weight. After the pandemic is done if I play basketball or hockey I'll get pushed around a lot if I don't put some weight back on!

I've sold the CCS to a friend and I'm riding my Cervelo almost exclusively and these days mainly indoor on Zwift. According to Zwift my FTP is now 203 watts so not far off 3 watts/kg.

I just think back in 2010 when I took delivery of my first electric bike. I rode it home (about 16 km's) and even with electric assistance the whole way I got leg cramps when I got home because my cycling muscles just weren't there. Now 11 years later and I'm a much stronger rider in better health. I doubt I would have gotten here without electric bikes helping make the process of getting stronger a lot easier and more enjoyable.

Despite my increased ability on the bike I'll always want an electric. You can always go further and faster with a motor

Great post. I noticed this again after reading your last post.

 

[fooferdoggie]

my e bike has helped me so much. I have noticed in the last two weeks were on a good day I could average 150 to 160 watts on my commutes and pleasure rides. Now I have done 200 watts though it is closer to 180 or so watts. but thats a bit effort difference. I have not really lost weight but strictly controlling carbs and learning how much I need to eat to keep up my energy levels will help. Protein is slow energy so what I eat for dinner is what I ride on in the morning. I need to completely emendate carbs I think to be the healthiest I can be.