Newest inductee into Team Tour de Fat is.....

None other than our own SJ Bob! As you all know, SJ has been one of the locker room's most prolific and thoughtful posters. His posts about his brother's charity cycling ride across the U.S. were particularly inspiring to me from a cycling perspective. Most importantly, Bob recently made a decision to purchase a trike and start riding. This is no small decision given Bob's current physical situation. 

For his efforts, SJ will receive a pair of official, slightly irregular, Tour de Fat cycling socks, a Tour de Fat membership certificate suitable for framing, some miscellaneous cyling swag and, most importantly, an invite to ride in RAGBRAI 2009 with Team Tour de Fat.

SJ joins an illustrious list of other Team Tour de Fat cycling enthusiasts whi*****lude the likes of Nick from Utah, RockyTop, BamaBob, and Camperboy.
Congratulations SJ.....you've done the locker room proud! 

Boner

Want to become a member of Team Tour de Fat? Here's how.....

As some of you know, the Tour de Fat is the phrase I coined to describe my personal WLS journey. I felt Tour de Fat an appropriate title given my interest in cycling and the health benefits and sheer joy I’ve experienced from the sport. So, as a way to add an element of inspiration (hopefully) and fun (hopefully) to the locker room, I felt it was time to open up membership into the Team Tour de Fat cycling club.  

How do you become a member of Tour de Fat? To quote John Belushi in Animal House, “it don't cost nothin'.” There is a requirement for entrance into this rather exclusive club though and that being a commitment to further the cause of cycling as a means for WLS men to get healthy. Specifically, here are the requirements: 
 

1. Be a former, or soon to be former, WLS “fat man.”
2. Be a regular poster to the locker room.
3. Own and regularly ride a bicycle as an integral part of your post-WLS exercise program. 

 For you efforts and successful induction into Tour de Fat, you will receive at no cost to you:  

1.     A new pair of exclusive, slightly irregular XL Tour de Fat cycling socks.
2.     A suitable for framing, Tour de Fat cycling certificate.
3.     Some worthless cycling swag I pick up at various cycling events
4.    An invite to ride with Team Tour de Fat in RAGBRAI 2009  

You need not apply to become a member of Tour de Fat. I’ll just read about your cycling-related endeavors here on the board.

What an honor and awesome responsibility!  Finally we have some representation from the right coast.  Congrats to all of the team.  You rep a very good bunch of guys.

I will be the road crew this weekend for the 150 mile MS ride from Cleveland to Sandusky and back.  My wife and daughter are riding the ride with other family members to rep. my SIL, who is afflicted.  We are heading to Cleveland tomorrow for the big ride.  Fortunately, 150 miles in 2 days is way out of my league, so I am the gunga din of the family!!  So a quick shout-out to our Ohio guys Snick and Dale.  I know we won't be close, but will be still looking forward to meeting you one day.

Lou 

Best of luck to your wife in the MS 150, Lou. I volunteered to be a road spotter, cheerleader, cow bell ringer for a MS150 out here in Colorado since I was unable to ride it too soon after surgery. Great cause, great people, great time! You'll be ridin' one soon.

Boner

Yay,

Congrats SJBOB

I know that I'm getting this honor through my contributions about my brother's ride and information that I passed on about cycling.  I'm humbled to be part of your group. 

On the other hand, I think choosing me for the group is hilarious.  I'm not being mocking and I'm not ungrateful, but I can't even sit on an exercycle.  I do not intend to pedal the Trike.  I primarily want it so that I can sit and push (walk, scoot, choose your own term) myself.  I'm even going to see if my brother can take the pedals off of it when he comes down to assemble it.  I hope the exercise I get will strengthen my legs and eventually help me with walking.

We were at a family reunion and were talking with my brother.  My wife had got him a gift card to one of his favorite bicycle shops as a birthday present.  We were wondering what exotic equipment or accessory he had bought with it.  He said he got what he needed the most--inner tubes.

What Bama so eloquently said about your courage, SJ!!!  Your Tour de Fat swag is on its way. By the way, I sent you the socks even though you said you couldn't wear them at this time. Someday, my man!

Boner

 

SJ Bob,

You can't sit on an exercycle? All the more reason for the reward. It's all about facing challenges and you're a real trouper when it comes to that.

Congrats!

Dave

I can't straddle the pedal and chain assembly to be able to sit on the exercycle.  I've tried using it as a recumbent by sitting on a bench and reaching the pedals from there ( when I do that, I put the handlebars where the seat would normally go).  I used to be able to pedal a little bit using that method, but my thigh has grown because of lymphedema fluid retention and I have extreme difficulty reaching the pedals.  I've been resourceful in trying to get some exercise.

I really hope the Trike works out for me.

It will SJ. Baby steps, my man!! I was less that a year away from having my left leg amputated because of diabetes. It's still dicked up, weeps occasionally and sores never seem to heal but it's 1000% better. Keep on truckin' (on that trike once you get it)!!

Boner