In the world of competitive cycling, there is a certain image that often comes to mind: lean, wiry athletes in skin-tight kits, weighing about as much as a light breeze. But if you find yourself lining up for a crit in the Midwest or jumping into a high-intensity race in Crit City on Zwift, you might encounter a different kind of powerhouse.
Meet Charles Givens—a self-described diesel, a grandfather, and a man whose journey from 400 pounds to the heat of the peloton is nothing short of legendary.
Awakened By a Broken Ankle
For thirty years, Charles lived the life of a dedicated IT dude in Springfield, Missouri. Like many in the industry, the sedentary nature of the job, combined with the stresses of raising two kids, saw his weight steadily climb. Despite being an active gym rat who spent years playing indoor soccer, Charles was always a big guy. By the time he was approaching his 50th birthday, that big guy persona had reached critical mass: he weighed over 400 pounds.
The turning point didn’t come from a doctor’s office or a New Year’s resolution. It came from a set of stairs. In 2010, just as he was turning 50, Charles fell down the steps and broke his ankle. “It didn’t heal right,” Charles recalls. “I knew I had to get this weight off”.
That injury was an awakening. He realized that if he didn’t make a radical change, the next decade of his life would be defined by limited mobility and declining health. He had ridden bikes a bit in the early 2000s, but it was time to take it seriously.
The 20 mph Benchmark
The initial weight loss was a grind, but Charles found that he actually enjoyed the time spent on two wheels. A few years into his journey, around age 52 or 53, he decided to test his mettle. He wasn’t just riding for leisure anymore; being a competitive guy, he wanted to see if he could compete.
He signed up for his first time trial. He set a goal of averaging 20 mph. If he could maintain that average speed in the TT, he would try racing the following year.
Boom! He hit the mark.
Getting “Blown Up” and Loving It
True to his word, Charles entered his first Criterium the following season. At the time, he had dropped down to 250 pounds—an incredible feat, yet still far from a typical racer’s weight.
The race was another wake-up call. “I got my butt kicked,” Charles admits with a laugh. He got blown up early, unable to maintain the blistering pace of the pack. But instead of being discouraged, he was hooked. He loved the intensity, the tactics, and the sheer adrenaline of the sport. He realized that to truly compete, he needed to take his training—and his weight loss—to the next level.
The Zwift Era Begins
One of the catalysts for Charles’ transformation was the Hotter’N Hell Hundred ride in Texas. There, he met a coach who helped guide him through the winter months. The coach introduced him to a platform that would change his life: Zwift.
Charles joined the Zwift community in 2017. It was the perfect match for his gym rat mentality. He could do structured workouts, join a racing team, and compete at any time of day, regardless of the Missouri weather.
Weight Loss Milestones
With the help of his coach and the data-driven environment of Zwift, Charles began ratcheting it up. He realized he was still taking in too many calories for his activity level, so he tightened his nutrition and leaned into the Zwift workouts.
The results were staggering:
- Starting Weight: 400+ lbs
- First Crit Weight: 250 lbs
- Summer Racing Weight: 215 lbs
- Lowest Weight: 195 lbs
By age 61, Charles was a different man. He was finishing in the top 15 of regional races in fields of 50 riders. He had earned his Cat 4 racing license and was proving that big guys could do more than just hold a wheel—they could lead the pack.
Training as a Diesel
Charles embraces his identity as a big guy cyclist. “I am not your typical racer, think a little bigger,” he says. “210 pounds is a great weight for me, so if I bump you it might hurt… LOL.”
His training setup is built for a diesel powerhouse. He uses a Saris platform to add motion to his indoor rides, making the experience more realistic and engaging. His philosophy is simple: you get out of Zwift what you put into it.
His routine is grueling:
- IRL Cycling: Dawn Patrol – Every Wednesday and Friday at 5:30 AM, Charles joins a group of about 40 riders for high-intensity training.
- Gym Work: He maintains his gym rat roots, adjusting his lifting schedule around his rides.
- Zwift Racing: He spends 3-4 days a week on the platform, even in the summer, with a particular love for the fast-paced action of Crit City.
In races, Charles plays to his strengths. He knows he’s not a mountain climber, but on the flats and through the technical corners, he’s a force to be reckoned with. He works on closing gaps, navigating the wind, and shooting the pocket in the final corners.
The Reset and the 2026 Comeback
Life, as it often does, threw a few more hurdles in Charles’ path. Last year, he was forced to take a break due to a combination of “bad signals”—a crash, equipment failures, and significant medical issues.
But the spirit that took him from 400 pounds to a competitive racer didn’t stay down for long. Now at age 61 (and looking toward the 2026 season), Charles is in the middle of a reset. He is getting his body back in shape, targeting a return to racing in June. “I have had many challenges along the way and still do, but love to ride,” Charles says. “The last year I have just been riding with no real purpose except points and levels. In the next week or so, I will be starting my workouts again”.
Racing For the Moment
When asked about his best feeling on a bike, Charles doesn’t talk about the scale or the power meter. He talks about the moment.
For him, it’s the sensation of hitting a corner while racing, laying the bike down with competitors right on his hip, and hearing the crowd cheer them on. It’s a feeling of pure, unadulterated life—a feeling that was nearly lost on those stairs in 2010.
Thanks, Charles, for sharing your story. Maybe we’ll bump into each other one day… hopefully not in an IRL crit, though! Ride on.
Follow Charles on Zwift at: Charles Givens6158
