Physics, Suspension, and Rider Weight

Firewa11 · Post by **Firewa11** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:50 am

Okay, so I started working on getting my race bike back into shape this past weekend, and as I was inspecting the body work I found this gem. I knew I was being aggressive on the corners last year during my last CMRA sprint race, grinding peg and toe slider, but what I didn't realize was my belly pan was dragging on the track.

This has in turn inspired me to get on the fast track to losing weight, and get healthier and in shape for racing next year. As far as the cause, I'm pretty sure it's mostly due to my weight causing serious compression of my suspension while cornering, adding to that the G-forces you get on turns out at Eagle's Canyon... Just something to keep in mind for us bigger riders out there. This could have ended up being a bad day, I'm very fortunate the belly pan didn't snag the track and cause the bike to slide out.

Grinner · Post by **Grinner** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:19 am

found a place to put a skid pan huh?!?!

fireblade · Post by **fireblade** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:33 am

hummmmmm..........maybe I should do the same, cut a few pounds.

Firewa11 · Post by **Firewa11** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 12:17 pm

I'm down 16 pounds since 9/15, my goal is to drop 60 pounds by the time racing season starts up in February / March.

fireblade · Post by **fireblade** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 12:21 pm

whats your plan or how?

Firewa11 · Post by **Firewa11** » Tue Sep 29, 2009 1:36 pm

2 cans of slimfast, 1 healthy choice, and a handful of carrots & grape tomatoes per day. And lots of water, the sugar-free wal-mart coolaid stuff

And lots of walking!

sevorg · Post by **sevorg** » Wed Sep 30, 2009 8:27 pm

Firewa11 wrote:2 cans of slimfast, 1 healthy choice, and a handful of carrots & grape tomatoes per day. And lots of water, the sugar-free wal-mart coolaid stuff And lots of walking!

It will work. The sugar free kolaid stuff is the best. I don't know why aeveryone says its hard to loose weight. If you reduce your intake and excersise it will come off.

mattjmartin · Post by **mattjmartin** » Thu Oct 01, 2009 12:16 am

sevorg wrote:
Firewa11 wrote:2 cans of slimfast, 1 healthy choice, and a handful of carrots & grape tomatoes per day. And lots of water, the sugar-free wal-mart coolaid stuff And lots of walking!
It will work. The sugar free kolaid stuff is the best. I don't know why aeveryone says its hard to loose weight. If you reduce your intake and excersise it will come off.

Losing weight is a simple as cutting intake. The hard part is cutting intake while avoiding undernourishment.

Kudos to you for making your health a priority!

Firewa11 · Post by **Firewa11** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 9:45 am

So I'm now officially down 40 pounds since Sept 15th, and today I rode into work. Man, I gotta tell ya it has made a tremendous difference in not only bike response, but also my own confidence and comfort.

I can't wait to see how this is going to impact my track performance, but not having to start braking 200ft before everyone else is going to make a world of difference.

My goal is to drop the remaining 40 pounds before riding season hits. I'm about to start doing some strength training and such. Does anyone have recommendations, other than bicycling and leg presses, to get into good shape for racing?

fireblade · Post by **fireblade** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 3:17 pm

I can make you a copy of some stuff that I use in the winter months to waste time. if you stick to it to the letter, it has outstanding results. I dont and it still has pretty good results. Part of the reason I am as heavy as I am but its not all fat.

Post by **dufremle** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 3:56 pm

40 pounds, nice!

U-Turn · Post by **U-Turn** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 4:28 pm

Firewall, I found your 40lbs, you can have em back.

Firewa11 · Post by **Firewa11** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:37 am

No thanks, I'm doing just fine without it!