So you think you want to be a pro racer?
05-07-07, 08:28 PM
#26
so whatcha' want?
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great post bassplayer. nice sentiment. makes one think about stuff.
05-07-07, 08:34 PM
#27
Roman Killer
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Originally Posted by bassplayinbiker
yea, I am just a kid. A kid with 4 years of Race expirence.
Look, the reality of the CAT 5-2 situation is tough, nobody ever wants to hear it... but here it is. If you are not athletically gifted enough to consistently place in these CATs without team tactics, you're not going to go much further. Period. Team tactics are a huge part of pro races, obviously. They should be practiced. But you need to be winning every race you can, not just learning from it. You have less time than you think. The window is narrow, win as much as you can, you'll have plenty of time to worry about tactics later, if you're lucky.
As for food and shelter hardships... I see so many of my friends living in crappy apartments, papering corporations with resumes and going prematurly bald from stress... me on the other hand? I'm having a great time. People in and around this sport are so generous, I've never wanted for a hot meal or a couch to crash on. It's not about suffering- you get plenty of that on the bike.
Just lighten up and have a good time. Don't worry about advising guys like Ryanf... do you really think he's listening? you're thinking "8 Mile" when it's clearly "Stripes" time, baby.
05-07-07, 08:35 PM
#28
Banned.
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I'm listening.
Last edited by Ryanf; 05-08-07 at 06:07 AM.
05-07-07, 08:38 PM
#29
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Very nice. I'll keep my 'aspirations' to myself on the pro matter, though.
05-07-07, 08:41 PM
#30
Banned.
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I heard a story (secondhand) told by George Hincapie. He was talking about how poor he was early in his career before he got sponsorship. He was in an important race and in good position for what was setting up to be a sprint finish. A kilometer or so before the finish line everyone started taking a final swig and tossing their bottles, except for George. He talked about the difficult decision he faced in tossing his bottles as he really couldn't afford to replace them. I don't remember whether he ended up tossing them but he did end up placing.
05-07-07, 08:48 PM
#31
Sensible shoes.
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There's a huge world of difference between those that make cycling a hobby--competitive or not--and those that have a go at making a living at it. Pity those that don't see that.
05-07-07, 08:52 PM
#32
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Originally Posted by VT to CA
Give it 10 years.
Look, the reality of the CAT 5-2 situation is tough, nobody ever wants to hear it... but here it is. If you are not athletically gifted enough to consistently place in these CATs without team tactics, you're not going to go much further. Period. Team tactics are a huge part of pro races, obviously. They should be practiced. But you need to be winning every race you can, not just learning from it. You have less time than you think. The window is narrow, win as much as you can, you'll have plenty of time to worry about tactics later, if you're lucky.
As for food and shelter hardships... I see so many of my friends living in crappy apartments, papering corporations with resumes and going prematurly bald from stress... me on the other hand? I'm having a great time. People in and around this sport are so generous, I've never wanted for a hot meal or a couch to crash on. It's not about suffering- you get plenty of that on the bike.
Just lighten up and have a good time. Don't worry about advising guys like Ryanf... do you really think he's listening? you're thinking "8 Mile" when it's clearly "Stripes" time, baby.
Look, the reality of the CAT 5-2 situation is tough, nobody ever wants to hear it... but here it is. If you are not athletically gifted enough to consistently place in these CATs without team tactics, you're not going to go much further. Period. Team tactics are a huge part of pro races, obviously. They should be practiced. But you need to be winning every race you can, not just learning from it. You have less time than you think. The window is narrow, win as much as you can, you'll have plenty of time to worry about tactics later, if you're lucky.
As for food and shelter hardships... I see so many of my friends living in crappy apartments, papering corporations with resumes and going prematurly bald from stress... me on the other hand? I'm having a great time. People in and around this sport are so generous, I've never wanted for a hot meal or a couch to crash on. It's not about suffering- you get plenty of that on the bike.
Just lighten up and have a good time. Don't worry about advising guys like Ryanf... do you really think he's listening? you're thinking "8 Mile" when it's clearly "Stripes" time, baby.
So your saying stress makes ya bald?
05-07-07, 08:53 PM
#33
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Originally Posted by CastIron
There's a huge world of difference between those that make cycling a hobby--competitive or not--and those that have a go at making a living at it. Pity those that don't see that.
Sam Adams the night before does though.
Last edited by Brian6751; 05-07-07 at 09:10 PM.
05-07-07, 09:02 PM
#34
Peloton Shelter Dog
>>So you think you want to be a pro racer?<<
No.
No.
05-07-07, 09:08 PM
#35
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Originally Posted by VT to CA
Give it 10 years.
Look, the reality of the CAT 5-2 situation is tough, nobody ever wants to hear it... but here it is. If you are not athletically gifted enough to consistently place in these CATs without team tactics, you're not going to go much further. Period. Team tactics are a huge part of pro races, obviously. They should be practiced. But you need to be winning every race you can, not just learning from it. You have less time than you think. The window is narrow, win as much as you can, you'll have plenty of time to worry about tactics later, if you're lucky.
Look, the reality of the CAT 5-2 situation is tough, nobody ever wants to hear it... but here it is. If you are not athletically gifted enough to consistently place in these CATs without team tactics, you're not going to go much further. Period. Team tactics are a huge part of pro races, obviously. They should be practiced. But you need to be winning every race you can, not just learning from it. You have less time than you think. The window is narrow, win as much as you can, you'll have plenty of time to worry about tactics later, if you're lucky.
Look at the US guys that are doing well in Europe. Almost all of them regularly whupped guys years older then they were. You should read Bobke Roll's stories about surviving in Europe....riding to a race and having to place so he had money to eat THAT NIGHT then riding back home.
05-07-07, 10:57 PM
#37
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Originally Posted by CastIron
There's a huge world of difference between those that make cycling a hobby--competitive or not--and those that have a go at making a living at it. Pity those that don't see that.
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It's like riding a bicycle
05-07-07, 11:16 PM
#38
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I drink clam chowder (white) out of the can regularly. Good stuff. Chilli is alright cold but the heat seems to bring the flavor out more.
Agreed with what the OP said though. I want to do well, hurt a lot of people, and move up to racing Cat1/2 soon, but I have no aspirations of going pro. I can make better money working 40 hrs a week and get enough hours on the bike to stay competitive. It's going to suck, but I want to see how good I can be, but not at the expense of being happy and having a good job. Bike racing can end suddenly, taxes don't.
Agreed with what the OP said though. I want to do well, hurt a lot of people, and move up to racing Cat1/2 soon, but I have no aspirations of going pro. I can make better money working 40 hrs a week and get enough hours on the bike to stay competitive. It's going to suck, but I want to see how good I can be, but not at the expense of being happy and having a good job. Bike racing can end suddenly, taxes don't.
05-07-07, 11:47 PM
#39
hooray for spring
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You should know pretty quickly if have the genetics to be a pro. You shouldn't be struggling to cat up from 5 to 4.
05-08-07, 01:18 AM
#40
no cat contains
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Originally Posted by cuda2k
Sorry bdcheung, I am hoping that this very postive thread doesn't become another ryanf thread that eventually has to be removed from the forum. I would hate for it to end like that. Hope you understand.
05-08-07, 01:24 AM
#41
Whateverthehell
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a pro racer? no thanks. i'll go get a job at a gas station so i can afford to do cool stuff like buy things.
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05-08-07, 01:28 AM
#42
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What if I just want to be a regionally competitive CAT-2?
05-08-07, 02:04 AM
#43
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Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus
What if I just want to be a regionally competitive CAT-2?
05-08-07, 02:16 AM
#44
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Originally Posted by Sprocket Man
Then you have permission to heat your canned chili.
05-08-07, 05:54 AM
#45
Peeled out too late
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I was on a mountain bike trip out west a few years ago and one of the guides, Pablo, told a story about being on the Junior National Cycling Team with Lance in the late 80s. Obviously, everybody on the team was completely dedicated to cycling and competition. Pablo spoke of how every minute of every day, every calorie he took in, virtually everything the team did somehow fit into the training plan. Even though it was the Junior National team, their whole lives were focused on training and competition. Pablo related an occasion when the squad was on a training ride in Colorado, on a long, steep climb to some mountain pass. Pablo described this climb as suffering beyond suffering. There he was, giving everything he had, literally, to cycling, and to this climb. Every minute of every day, every calorie taken in...and every last watt of energy, suffering beyond suffering on this climb, grinding pedal stroke after grinding pedal stroke....and then...Lance just rode by like it was nothing...pulled away from the rest of the group like it was nothing. Pablo thought, "f*** this," pulled to the side of the road and decided to leave the team right there. That was it. Turned around, rode back down and had some ice cream. End of racing career.
He seemed quite happy as an MTB guide in Moab, though.
He seemed quite happy as an MTB guide in Moab, though.
05-08-07, 10:46 AM
#47
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Originally Posted by Chucklehead
a pro racer? no thanks. i'll go get a job at a gas station so i can afford to do cool stuff like buy things.
05-08-07, 10:50 AM
#48
Whateverthehell
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the average pro makes as much money selling their unused sponsor garb and equipment on ebay as they do racing their bike. and that's only a small exaggeration. meaning i think they make more on ebay.
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"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." - Leonardo daVinci
"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." - Leonardo daVinci
05-08-07, 10:59 AM
#50
Whateverthehell
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Originally Posted by Ryanf
Not if you are Ullrich then you are making millions.
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"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." - Leonardo daVinci
"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return." - Leonardo daVinci