Void

[Jancouver]

Re:

Come on guys, don't feed the troll...this guy never touched a race bike before and want to become pro..

You are right. My fault for responding and giving him some honest feedback.

At the end, he is calling me a troll for asking him about his weight. He probably doesn't know that cycling is all about power to weight ratio

Please mods, close this thread. This has noting to do with Pro racing. Sure, there was few of those that started late and made it, but this guy is looking to pickup cycling as an addition to his diet program and therefore his personal fitness (or lack of fitness) should not be discussed in this forum

 

[BigMac]

Jancouver, why the attitude. Use your knowledge to educate, not belittle. Say that he can be over ambitious or even unreasonable if you think so, but there is no reason to doubt his honesty or assume he is trolling. He seems to me just to be seeking some answers, and he clearly stated that he his looking for knowledge and input. Quando o Homem sonha, o Mundo pula e avança. Moody, nothing better to give it a try. Inbetween Jancouver's words you can find some helpful ones (because I think he is a connoisseur of the sport), sign up for some crits in the area - you are priviledged to live in LA, I can't think of a better place to practice cycling in the U.S than the West coast. Take a look here: http://socalcycling.com/road-racing/

 

[Jspear]

Re: Re:

Come on guys, don't feed the troll...this guy never touched a race bike before and want to become pro..

People like you and Jancouver give forums a bad name.

Asked a simple question and stated my scenario multiple times.

People don't have to be harsh, but they are right in that this is the wrong place to have this discussion.
This thread should be moved to the appropriate place.

 

[Jancouver]

Re:

In my first messages in this thread, I stated that I was new and apologized if I placed this question in the wrong thread.

If any of the mods can move it, that would be fine by me.

Few posts higher, I suggested bikeforums.net racing section 33.

I was not kidding. That forum has vast knowledge, is full of experienced racers and is suited for somebody like you.

Go check it out. And if you think that I was harsh or trolling giving you the checklist, I was 100% serious.

Without time, money, talent, hard work and the right body type, you will not get far in this sport.

 

[the delgados]

Thanks for all the replies, except for the sarcastic ones.

Like I said before, it's better to ask than to just wonder in my own head. I'll start riding and if I'm good at, great. If not, then so be it. I'll still get great exercise.

If your in the North London area I would be happy to go for the odd cycle ride.....

I'm in LA

LA? Well, then get a bike and sign up for San Dimas stage race later this month. You will get it all, uphill TT on Friday, road race on Saturday and criterium on Sunday.

If you can finish the Cat-5 race without getting dropped and make the time cut on Saturday, you may have some future in this sport, it is very simple.

I have seen many talented riders crushing the Cat 5 field without much experience just having good athletic background from other sports.

I have also seen many souls crushed and many riders that vanished after this "reality check".

The selected few that shined in this race, usually made it far (Talansky, Acevedo, Mancebo, Ben Day)

The reality is that you have to be 0,001% to be able to start late and make it to pros. I would bet $500 that you will not make it past Cat-3 and $1000 that you will never even make it to Cat-1.

Your check list:

1. Time - You have to be able to train 20+ hours per week to be in top shape, travel to races and take care of equipment
2. Money - Cycling is expensive. Bikes, wheels, coaching, food, travel expenses etc.
3. Diet and work ethics. Are you super slim, light, ideally 5-8% body fat without too much upper body mass?

Well, if you can honestly mark off all the three above, you have 0.01% chance. If you dont have time, money and the right body, and some talent you chances are ZERO!

Why not encourage the guy to just get on his bike and ride? I don't mean to use this post as an example. but I can't tell you how many people I saw driven away from the sport by those who were total assholes. (I'm not suggesting you are one; I don't know you.) I have never been able to grasp why people in North America who love a niche sport would go to the lengths I've seen to drive others out of it. I swear it's one of the reasons I gave up on competitive cycling. That said, good on you for suggesting ideas. But I would never suggest someone enter a race without riding in groups. that's a recipe for failure.

 

[King Boonen]

Honestly, I have to agree with the trolling comments, you say you have a background in sport so surely you understand the dedication required from a young age to be even slightly successful at even college level, but I'll answer as if it's genuine.

It's not going to happen I'm afraid.

Even guys who turn pro later in life have probably been riding bikes for a very long time beforehand. You're currently 23 and don't ride a bike. I'd say it'll take you anywhere between 2-3 years to even get to a level where you can keep pace with the fast guys in a local club on fairly short climbs. during this you would probably need to be entering every race you can, even if you are getting beat week in week out.

Older pros offer one or two things younger pros can't: Guaranteed placings and race knowledge. You can't provide either. So you're looking at being 26-27 probably before you're even competitive in local races where everyone is an amateur. You've then got another 1-2 years, if you are winning these races to progress to national level so you're about 28. Even at national level the pay will not be enough to live on. You've then got 1 year at national level winning races and then you get picked up by a team with enough money that you can quit the day job, if everything goes perfectly to plan.

But there is a big upshot to this! Get a bike and enjoy it Join a club and ride with them every week to get stronger. Race if you fancy it but honestly there is almost nothing better in life than heading out into the hills on your own or in a small group and just riding. Professional cycling is a job, it's bloody hard, cut-throat and I'm sure that for many it takes the pure love and enjoyment of cycling away.

If, by some miracle, it works out for you and you are winning local races with ease in a few months then keeping going for it, but get a bike and ride it for the love of riding first, then see how far you want to take it.

Oh, answer the question about height and weight. Your reluctance to do so makes this seem even more like a troll thread. As an Example Stijn Vanbenbergh is 1.99m tall and 84kg (according to wikipedia) so big guys can make it, but I think he's about the biggest in the peloton and as you can see from his weight, he's really not that big.

 

[Jancouver]

BTW as per the height and weight question, it was more to determine where he may seek some success. I doubt that he is smaller and lighter to be a climber as he was a basketball player and is struggling with weight.

In the middle of the field, the average size guys, well, there is quite a pool of talent of rouleurs and you have to be very special.

On the sprinter side, the fast twitch guys, it seems like at least here in California, over the last few years, the best sprinters have something in common ...

 

[warrior4life]

Good luck to the OP, I hope he enjoys cycling at least and finds a sport that betters his life.

Realistically the chances are slim.

I live in the UK, its like me saying I'm going to start training to join the NBA, I enjoyed playing basketball as kid.
I'm going to start training next week and buy a ball and some shoes.
Is my goal realistic? I'm also 23. 6'3 and 180lbs with background in cycling.

 

[ingsve]

Not sure if it's been mentioned in this thread but Gabriel Rasch was another rider that turned pro late, at age 32.

 

[warrior4life]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabriel_Rasch

 

[Ruudz0r]

Daniel Felipe Martinez also turned pro in 3 years, he started when he was 15 and now 3 (and a half) years later he is the youngest pro rider (counting PCT/WT as pro). If you are talented and are mentally super strong (which not a lot of people are), it can happen fast. But obviously there can only be found exceptions.

 

[King Boonen]

Re:

I ignored the questions about my height and weight because the person asking is a troll.

I'm not biking because I need to lose weight, I just want to. There's a difference. I'm perfectly healthy.

I never once mentioned having pro aspirations. I just asked if being 23 was too late; a simple question.

Your first two posts both mention becoming a professional, the first indirectly, the second directly and you still won't answer simple questions that will let people help.

Obvious trolling.

 

[the delgados]

Good luck to the OP, I hope he enjoys cycling at least and finds a sport that betters his life.

Realistically the chances are slim.

I live in the UK, its like me saying I'm going to start training to join the NBA, I enjoyed playing basketball as kid.
I'm going to start training next week and buy a ball and some shoes.
Is my goal realistic? I'm also 23. 6'3 and 180lbs with background in cycling.

Hear hear.
Since we're all making assumptions about trolls and sincerity of posts, I'll make mine.
The OP's user name suggests s/he is looking for an outlet to treat mental health issues.
If that's the case, I cannot stress enough how much cycling helped me in life.
I was depressed and anxious as hell before taking up the sport and taking training seriously. I'm not suggesting for a second that cycling cures all ills, but it most certainly helps. Like someone said previously, there really is nothing like going for long solo rides. It helps a great deal, both physically and mentally.
Good luck.

 

[the delgados]

Sorry, just one more thing. Although historically newbies to the sport haven't been welcomed with open arms, you will certainly gain the respect of seasoned riders when you start riding away from them and dropping them on climbs.

 

[the delgados]

Like I said, I was making an assumption, which was incorrect. My apologies.
You said a while back you were picking up your bike soon.
Hopefully you now have it and are riding to your heart's content. You will not regret doing so.

 

[oldcrank]

Twenty three is not too late to take up cycling
and become very successful.
My suggestion, as you are from LA, is head to
the velodrome and make some friends there.
At the velodrome you can learn all the basics:
proper position; how to pedal; how to train;
and how to race all at a faster pace.
By 'faster pace' I mean both less time to learn
and at a higher speed on the bike.
The velodrome can be a fast track to success
for an aspiring cyclist. Best of luck, my friend.

 

[Jancouver]

Seems like the picture of the SoCal best sprinters didnt go through

 

[the delgados]

Re:

Seems like the picture of the SoCal best sprinters didnt go through

What do you mean?

 

[Jancouver]

Re: Re:

What do you mean?

Let me quote my OP above while comparing, climbers. roeulers and sprinters.

"On the sprinter side, the fast twitch guys, it seems like at least here in California, over the last few years, the best sprinters have something in common ..."

 

[slosada]

That California is really sunny and that you need to put a lot of hours cycling to get... successful

 

[markene2]

Got my answer, thanks

 

[the delgados]

Re:

Just asking this out of curiosity..

I would like to take up club racing at least, have some experience from track and field. And a bit MTB on my own, then all of that went out the windows for years, when i had my own things to deal with. And broke my back last year, then i did alot of spinning and realised i wanted to get back to riding a bike. I am extremly lean, more lean then Rasmussen was. Time and money is no problem. And about same age as OP, would i even stand a chance?

Height and Weight:
51kg/112lbs
186cm/6.1ft

Sigh...
Yes.

 

[Jancouver]

Re:

Just asking this out of curiosity..

I would like to take up club racing at least, have some experience from track and field. And a bit MTB on my own, then all of that went out the windows for years, when i had my own things to deal with. And broke my back last year, then i did alot of spinning and realised i wanted to get back to riding a bike. I am extremly lean, more lean then Rasmussen was. Time and money is no problem. And about same age as OP, would i even stand a chance?

Height and Weight:
51kg/112lbs
186cm/6.1ft

I think you are too fat for cycling. Try basketball, with your above average height and little training, you should be ready for NBA in no time. Just dont forget to buy a basketball and shoot some 3s for a day or two and you should be OK

 

[ICEROCK]

Re:

Just asking this out of curiosity..

I would like to take up club racing at least, have some experience from track and field. And a bit MTB on my own, then all of that went out the windows for years, when i had my own things to deal with. And broke my back last year, then i did alot of spinning and realised i wanted to get back to riding a bike. I am extremly lean, more lean then Rasmussen was. Time and money is no problem. And about same age as OP, would i even stand a chance?

Height and Weight:
51kg/112lbs
186cm/6.1ft

lean is only one factor, you should go to see a doctor, to have some test done. like Vo2 stuff like that

 

[Wallace]

Okay: you insist you're sincere and just asking about your chances as a person who is reasonably fit but has never ridden a bike seriously buying a bike and training with the aim of becoming a professional cyclist. You used to play basketball: suppose someone came up to you and said "I used to run. I've never played the game but I'm going to buy a basketball and a pair of Air Jordan's tomorrow. What do you think my chances are of making it to the pro level?"