My First Real Bike Race

This past Saturday I participated in my first timed and ranked “Bike Race”. It was the 2022 Frankenmuth Fondo and I did the 25k route. In the weeks leading up to the event I was really struggling and there was a couple of times I almost backed out. The Thursday prior to the race I did an out-and-back locally and was completely drained about 3/4 of the way through. My lung capacity is still hindered, which I believe is due to the aftermath of COVID. Saturday morning we headed to the race. At this point I was full of nerves… Read More

Aero Tech Cycling Base Layer 

In my previous post I wrote about cycling bibs. Just about the only downside to bibs are the shoulder straps. These straps can dig into your shoulders and cause irritation, especially on warm days. On colder rides I wear my UnderArmor base layers and noticed they increase the comfort of my bib straps significantly. This is why I was excited to find out that Aero Tech Designs introduced their new Sleeveless Honeycomb Cycling Base Layer. Aero Tech Designs is one of the few cycling apparel companies that caters to big and tall riders and the Honeycomb Base Layer is offered… Read More

Let’s Talk Lycra

Ly·cra/ˈlīkrə/: an elastic polyurethane fiber or fabric used especially for close-fitting sports clothing. When I first started getting serious about riding, my “riding apparel” consisted of a pair of gym shorts and bright color Haynes Tshirt. Sure, they worked, kept me comfortable and I didn’t really think twice about it. When I started spending more time in the saddle, I started looking into padded bike shorts to help with “sore butt” – this was before I discovered saddle fitment but started me down the path to “Lycra”. It took a lot of trial and error to find padded shorts that… Read More

Bike and Saddle Fitment

Much like every body is unique, every bike has a unique geometry. Most frames will come in Small through Extra Large. I am far from an expert in the engineering behind the sizing and shape of bikes and bike frames, but I can vouch for the importance of a properly fit bike. I recommend everyone get a fitment from your local bike shop, this normally has a cost but is worth the benefits it provides. I’ve ridden bikes that are both too large and too small, purchased whatever I could find at the the local big box store. For larger… Read More

Foster5k Walk/Run

If you would have asked me a month ago if I’d be doing a 5k anytime soon, I would have called you crazy. This morning I woke up and knew I had to walk/run 3.1 miles throughout the day, but when I got out and started, I kept going, and finished the entire thing in less than an hour! It felt incredible and I am celebrating this as a significant milestone. Never underestimate your abilities and celebrate every win!

Welcome!

Greetings! My name is Cody Dean and I am The Plus Sized Cyclist. On this page you will find information about my journey to get fit by way of two wheels, product reviews and tips for other riders like me. Why “Plus Sized Cyclist” – I am 6’4″ and currently 360Lbs (and dropping), this isn’t the figure for a cyclist… and if you do research, there is the category of “Clydesdale” riders, which is those over 200lbs. Most riders in this class I found fall just around that weight range. I am not a fan of this nomenclature. I’ve always… Read More

New Bike Day!

New Bike Day!One of the greatest feelings in the cycling world is walking out of the door of your local bike shop with a new bike! But what if you don’t fit the look of a cyclist as you walk through the door? Your local bike shop should be a place you trust and feel comfortable, after all, you are going to likely be spending a good amount of cash with them. Sadly as I sought out to find my first “real bike” the first couple of shops I visited didn’t get my business, despite having the bike I wanted… Read More