A "cycling body"
 

Ok, it seems to me that the typical "cycling body" is one of two things:

a) six foot something person who weighs around 180 lbs, tall and lean,
b) a 5' 4" person who is thin and wirey, and weighs about 140 lbs

There seems to be no tweener...which I am. 5' 10" and 200 lbs. Yes, I'm cycling to try and get back tot he 170 lb range...but haven't made it there yet.

Are all of you cyclist here in this forum in one of the two catagories I mentioned above? Where do you all fall in the 'cycling body' and what is the perfect cycling body? It seems to me, that a lot of riders, have their seat jacked up as high as possible to be more aerodynamic..but, I don't see that as being all too comfortable, nor apporpriate for long rides.

Perfect cycling body is about 2 pounds per inch of heighth.

I am 5 foot 8, 170, but keep body fat between 7 to 9 percent. During race weeks I go down to about 6 percent. As an old man, not bad. I know what it it takes to get to four percent and it ain't worth it to me. I'm too heavy and too old to be a great cyclist like Creekster. He freaking averages 24 mph on a century.

It's all about diet and work.

If you cycle five or six days per week, reduce carbs except during workouts, increase clean protein, you will achieve the mass you wish. You may also wish to supplement with some weights to avoid the cycling chestless look.

Where is the fat ass category? I didn't see that one. THat's where I am.

I'm in your range - 5'9" and 205. I've tried for years to get my weight down to about 175-180, but I just can't seem to do it. I was at that weight in high school, but had to bulk up in college in order to play ball. I've been there ever since.

I only started cycling this spring and I feel so much better since I've started riding. It's been great exercise. I have no aspirations to do anything other than get and stay in shape.

iPU - Same here
 

I'm with you. I'm not in to racing...but, the more I ride, the more I like it.

I'm going to plan about 4-5 centuries this year, and commute etc. Try to get back to my college days weight of 170 lbs.

I find the century rides are great little mile stones to set out there to use as motivation to keep riding and stay in shape.

Might I suggest that the two of you do the ULCER in a few weeks around Utah Lake?

I might go do it for laughs.

cycling by itself won't make you lose weight. trust me I know.

Interesting
 

Archaea- I am planning on doing the Ulcer. When you say you are going to do it for "laughs" what does that mean?

MW - hmmm....I not the brightes bulb, but I was thinking that cycling burns some significant calories...and if my intake is less than what I burn....?

FAST, fat cyclists abound.

People tend to eat more when they burn calories.

Ok MW - this time next year...I want to be under the 180 mark...we'll see.

The only thing worse than a FAST fat rider, is a SLOW fat rider! (Which I am one).

"People tend to eat more when they burn calories"....I was eating chocolate when you said that....is that a problem?