Founder: Joan Denizot
Welcome!
As a super-sized person who decided to get exercising again, I wanted a nice, sturdy bike that I felt comfortable on and that I knew could easily support my weight. Imagine my frustration when, no matter what I typed in the search engines or to whom I talked or emailed, I could not find even one bike that was built for me.
The people who really understand bikes told me that, in fact, it was very risky to ride a bike that was not built strong enough for my weight. Even bikes that were built for big riders only went up to only 225 pounds. The more I searched for my own bicycle, the more convinced I became that there is no way that I am the only fat person looking for a solid bicycle or adult tricycle. Biking is a great exercise--and it's EASY! Of course big people would cycle if they could buy a bike that's built for them, without having to be sized up by some mega-fit sales clerks who sell equipment made for skinny people.
This search for a bike for me--call me large, fat, super-sized, obese, plus-sized, huge, queen size, whatever!--is what made me decide that not only would I find a great bike for myself, I'd create a store where anyone, no matter how heavy, could come and find a welcoming, size-friendly environment. I decided that not having a positive word to describe a person of size was ridiculous, so I invented "Zize, Size with Attitude!" I'm glad you've found Super Sized Cycles, with our manufacturing branch of Zize Bikes, and please let me know how we can help you.
Best regards,
Joan
Joan Denizot
Founder and President, Super Sized Cycles
Joan@SuperSizedCycles.com
Designer: Timothy Mathewson
Hi my name is Timothy Mathewson.
When I was 12 I started fixing bikes and selling them to my neighbors. When I was 14 I got my first job at a bike shop and started racing bikes around New England. During the following 35 years I have owned 3 different bikes shops, worked at shops in Florida and Vermont and given clinics to many schools.
In addition to working as a mechanic, salesman, manager, buyer, and owner at bike shops, I have been involved in many other related parts of the industry as well. These include being a sales representative for a bike company, designing frames, building frames out of steel, purchasing parts directly from overseas, and custom fabricating parts for customers.
I have also been involved in advocacy work, which includes giving away bikes that I have fixed to kids at Christmas -46 to date. I am a cofounder of Bike Recycle Vermont (BRV), an organization that gives away bikes to refugees that come to this country from the third world and to Vermonters of little or no means. To date BRV has given away over 2000 bikes!
I am also patented in 28 countries (US Pat # 6902177) for an all terrain wheelchair that is giving access to children in India and Ethiopia who are either polio or land mine victims. It is very rewarding to provide basic transportation to those who might otherwise not have it. There is a saying that goes “freedom is nothing without access”.
Here in America most of us take for granted the ease in which we can get around. This being said, there are still people in this country that have various issues around getting around. One group of people is those who are too heavy for the normal bicycle design. Helping to get anyone from this group to be able to ride is very rewarding, as I believe that everyone deserves to be able to ride if they choose to do so.
Currently I own a bike shop called Little City Cycles in Vergennes, Vermont, where I fix and sell bicycles, as well as teach and build and service and sell Zize Bikes. My shop also allows me to be involved in giving away bikes to immigrants that have come from Mexico and Central America to work on farms around the county in which I live.
I am married to my wife of 20 years and have a son in college at Beloit College in Wisconsin. I live in a geodesic dome that we built ourselves. I also ride my bike as often as I can, always feeling better after I do.
I am the person in charge of all things technical about the bikes at Super Sized Cycles and Zize Bikes. Please call me if you have questions about your bike or are looking for something specific on our bikes. I am always happy to chat about thoughts and ideas in the bike world!
Timothy
Timothy Mathewson,
Technical Designer
Tim@SuperSizedCycles.com
