Guest Post from Daniel Weise: Why I Started Riding
For me it was a very basic reason, for my health. In the fall of 2009 I weighed close to 500 lbs. I had no idea my weight had climbed so high, but there it was. There was a weight loss competition at work which I joined and proceeded to lose almost 60 lbs. over the next 6 months.
It felt good. I was simply watching what I ate, but it didn’t seem like enough, I had to get active. I was still 430 lbs, and there was no way I was going to run. The truth was even walking from the car to the door would find me short of breath. Then I found Fatty’s blog and I thought to myself, that’s it!
I remembered the freedom riding in my youth had afforded me
and figured I could have fun and get healthy and lose weight all at the same time.
Now my dilemma was that I didn’t have a bike. Sure there had been an old one sitting in the garage several years and several moves ago, but that was long gone.
I had thought about getting a road bike, but thought that with my weight that probably wasn’t a good idea.
I decided to go with a name we all trusted from our youth – Schwinn. I found a deal on a Landmark Cruiser and got it.
I was excited when it arrived and couldn’t wait to assemble it and get riding. That’s when reality set in yet again – I was very out of shape and could barely ride 3 miles on my new bike before I was spent, but the funny thing was, I didn’t mind it because I enjoyed riding! It brought back all those feelings of freedom from my youth.
I’ve stuck with it, often getting up at 4:00 am to get in rides and am loving it. Six months after starting to ride again I actually completed a Sprint Triathlon here in Las Vegas!
Thank you Fatty, you were the inspiration that got me back on the bike after a 20+ year hiatus.
PS from Fatty: Don’t forget, the contest to win a trip and a bike, all while fighting cancer, is still on. Click here for info on the trip, then click here for information on the bikes, and click here to donate. Thanks!
Comment by Steve Z | 05.21.2012 | 7:27 am
Dan,
Way to go – a guest post on Fatcyclist! Now you’re a star! Hope you can still take time to slum and stop in to check on us little people on occasion!
But seriously – way cool. Keep up the good work.
SteveZ
Comment by rob W | 05.21.2012 | 8:09 am
Daniel,
Thanks for sharing. You are awesome and an inspiration.
Keep it up!!!
Comment by Bryan (not that one) | 05.21.2012 | 8:19 am
Great job, Daniel! Keep riding!
Comment by Skippy | 05.21.2012 | 8:36 am
Good to see you came to the right place for inspiration . Follow 39stone cyclist who has done as you have and posted here and you will soon be slimming down and enjoying a healthy life style !
Currently riding Giro d’Italia for 14th year and had the delight to train with the Aussie Para Cycling Team this morning in Varese , Italy ! These guys are inspirational as i am sure are those in the Wounded Warrior Project Team !
Remember that you will have obstacles along the way but with PMA you will overcome them !
Comment by Daniel.weise | 05.21.2012 | 9:21 am
Thank you. I am very excited that Fatty thought my story was worth sharing. I plan on staying on the bike for many years to come.
The fact that this blog was my inspiration, and that I could be a small part of it, means a lot to me.
Keep on rolling!
Dan
Comment by BonzoGal | 05.21.2012 | 10:13 am
Dan, now you realize, of course, that you’ve become an inspiration for many of us! Thanks for sharing your story!
Comment by Lisa | 05.21.2012 | 10:56 am
AWESOME! Congratulations!!!! Your story is inspiring.
I was 250 pounds and had to lose 100 and I too chose an activity that I loved as a kid–swimming. Swimming was how I lost the weight but cycling is how I’ve kept it off! :)
Comment by Paul Guyot | 05.21.2012 | 11:07 am
Dan, you rock!
Fantastic story and congrats.
Never give up.
Never stop riding.
Comment by mykill | 05.21.2012 | 11:14 am
Good going Dan, ride on!
Comment by ClydeinKS | 05.21.2012 | 11:33 am
Dan – you’re doing great and are an inspiration. I’m not sure if I remember right, but you were discouraged with the recent weight loss challenge? DON’T BE – you have done very well! Continue on, and keep inspiring the rest of us!
Comment by sllym | 05.21.2012 | 1:13 pm
Dan, what you have achieved is FANTASTIC! Keep up the great work!
Comment by SaddleAmericana | 05.21.2012 | 1:22 pm
Great work, Daniel! You’re looking great, performing great, and you’ve got many more great early morning rides still coming up — keep pedaling well!
Comment by lulea | 05.21.2012 | 1:59 pm
Dan what you have done is so impressive! Thanks for taking this change on and being willing to share it with the rest of us. You have shown us through your efforts how great it is to keep moving…particularly on a bike.
Comment by Kiwi | 05.21.2012 | 2:52 pm
Daniel,
Awesome, just awesome. good for you!
Wishing you the best as you continue to fight!
And mad props to you cause I know how hot it gets in Vegas, I figure that is why you are up at 4 to get a ride in.
Comment by Yukirin Boy | 05.21.2012 | 4:33 pm
Chapeau! Daniel
Comment by Libby | 05.21.2012 | 5:37 pm
Congratulations Dan! Well done! Cycling rocks our world too…
My hubby lost over 60 lbs. by cycling last summer after being diagnosed with diabetes . This year we’re doing the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer (yeah I’m nuts to do it too) and he bought himself a road bike for it. Next year is a Grand Fondo (him not me…I’ll cheer and take photos).
Comment by Liz | 05.21.2012 | 6:57 pm
What an inspiring story. Thanks so much for sharing it. And now triathlons, too! Best wishes for more cycling adventures to come.
Comment by daniel.weise | 05.21.2012 | 8:24 pm
Thank you all. While I have accomplished some success, so many others have achieved and overcome so much more. I am more inspired by all the Fatty family does than I feel I could ever inspire.
Dan
Comment by AKChick55 | 05.22.2012 | 12:11 am
Woot! You go Daniel!!! That is so awesome. I’m so glad Fatty is allowing guest posts. I’m am always inspired by reading about others. :) Thank you for writing and submitting!
MattC (yes that one), thanks for the hotel info! I arrive in Davis on Wednesday morning. I’m hoping my coworker can get me a key so I can go to her place and drop off my bike and suitcase and do a little sightseeing around Davis and maybe get in a ride. I’m definitely in for whatever we do on Friday, I just need instructions on how to get there. :)
Comment by Sarah | The Cyclist's Wife | 05.22.2012 | 12:22 am
Excellent work! I love stories like these!
Comment by davidh,marin | 05.22.2012 | 10:01 am
Nicely Done Dan!!! Looking forward to you joining us one day in Davis.
So Paul Guyot there must be a little challenge you could offer Dan. I’m sure your show always has a need for an extra. And I’m confident Dan would not demand a trailer, …or script suggestions.
Comment by AKChick55 | 05.22.2012 | 11:02 pm
Ahhh, a love story. :) Thanks for the smile!
Comment by AKChick55 | 05.22.2012 | 11:03 pm
Oops, I thought I was posting to Nick’s guest blog. :) Guess I need to copy and paste my comment there. Not sure how that happened….