Hello from Arkansas!!

I'm in Malvern Arkansas, my name is Richie, and I have three beautiful children and a great wife. I grew up with the quintessential "things that are bad for you" family. Nothing illegal, just, you know, smokers, drinkers, do-not-get-off-the-couch kind of folks. I am trying to reverse 30 years of that kind of behavior, and I will stop at nothing to become that. I am tired of having a spare tire! I was once up to 260 lbs. I am down to 215 and holding. I am trading in the 40 extra pounds of fat for muscle. Well, I'm working on that anyway.

I grew up with unhealthy behavior, and I don't want my children to have that kind of influence. The oldest of the 3 is only 3 1/2 years old. The youngest is 3 1/2 months!!!

The gear: I have a Mongoose XR-200. I know you hardcore folks out there with Treks, and high-end Gooses are probably balking. I don't blame you, but with three butts to diaper, if weren't for a cheap bike, I wouldn't have one at all. I like the bike though. It needs constant tuning, but thanks to Mongoose's fearless warranty, I can keep it going.

So far, I ride to and from work two or three times a week. It's an 18 mile round trip. And it's HILLY! With the weather being 106F for the past few weeks, I haven't been riding to work. After all, I am new to this, and I am a "clydesdale" at 215lbs. I have been going on weekend-warrior trips and riding in the evenings lately. I can't get enough of it. When I get mad, I want to ride. When I'm happy, I want to ride. When I am whatever, I want to ride.

I quit smoking 3 years ago. After starting this MTB stuff, I have power I've never felt before. I have endurance and stregth like I did when I was in high school. I sleep better. I look better. The more I ride, the easier it gets. I am not kind to myself, I could be worse, but I want to lose the lard, and I want to lose it as fast as I can. I would like to eventually get into some competitions. I have read about several here in Arkansas. Maybe I'll see some of you cats out on the trail!