Should I Continue going to College, or Drop Out to train full time? (Need Opinions)
01-10-14, 09:38 AM
#151
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01-10-14, 01:51 PM
#152
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I can't believe I'm saying this, but here goes:
Finish out the school year, race collegiate this spring. Take a break from college for a couple of years, but make sure that you leave in good standing. Give yourself an open door if/when you want to come back.
After that, pour your heart and soul into bike racing, and training.
But, before you do this, I have one question: who is going to foot the bill for this? Where will you live, how will you get to races, who will pay for gas, food, rent? Because working 40hrs a week in a minimum wage job to pay your way is self defeating, IMO.
Finish out the school year, race collegiate this spring. Take a break from college for a couple of years, but make sure that you leave in good standing. Give yourself an open door if/when you want to come back.
After that, pour your heart and soul into bike racing, and training.
But, before you do this, I have one question: who is going to foot the bill for this? Where will you live, how will you get to races, who will pay for gas, food, rent? Because working 40hrs a week in a minimum wage job to pay your way is self defeating, IMO.
01-10-14, 02:41 PM
#153
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Good thinking. I think Army has one, too. He just needs some practical how the world works experience. I agree with the Duke's advice, though. Give it a couple of good hard racing years. Frankly, if I had a son that wanted to do that, I'd sponsor him. Maybe his folks could do the same. I wish him all the luck.
Last edited by RoyIII; 01-10-14 at 02:49 PM.
01-11-14, 12:35 AM
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Good thinking. I think Army has one, too. He just needs some practical how the world works experience. I agree with the Duke's advice, though. Give it a couple of good hard racing years. Frankly, if I had a son that wanted to do that, I'd sponsor him. Maybe his folks could do the same. I wish him all the luck.
https://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=6584
01-11-14, 08:22 AM
#155
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Not gonna read this whole thread, but here's my advice as a recent college grad who is taking some time off before I start grad school to pursue "the dream". GET YOUR DEGREE FIRST. This way, regardless of what happens you will have a back up plan of some sort. Yes, if you choose to get a job instead of continuing in school, it might be a little harder as you will have "dead time" in your career history but you will still be light years ahead of someone without a college degree. In addition its a lot harder to go back to school later in your life than now.
01-13-14, 02:06 PM
#156
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Here, let's just settle this now with some basic science....post up your Power data, V02max, lactic threshold etc.
At least we can determine what your real physical/genetic potential is, then take it from there.
At least we can determine what your real physical/genetic potential is, then take it from there.
01-13-14, 04:03 PM
#157
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Fitness test values don't predict long-term success very well. VO2max can be used to somewhat predict success as a junior but not who will become a pro.
Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of junior cyclists of different specialties and performance levels.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20807389
Concerning the performance level, only the age and the aerobic parameters resulted differently within levels (VO(2max) : HL=67.3 ± 4.9, ML=65.5 ± 5.1 and LL=63.3 ± 5.2 mL/kg/min), with the highest values for HL
Aerobic fitness variables do not predict the professional career of young cyclists.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19952851
Traditional physiological measures of aerobic fitness are useful to identify junior cyclists who can excel in their category. However, these variables cannot be used for talent identification, if "talent" is interpreted as a young cyclist who will succeed in becoming a professional.
Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of junior cyclists of different specialties and performance levels.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20807389
Concerning the performance level, only the age and the aerobic parameters resulted differently within levels (VO(2max) : HL=67.3 ± 4.9, ML=65.5 ± 5.1 and LL=63.3 ± 5.2 mL/kg/min), with the highest values for HL
Aerobic fitness variables do not predict the professional career of young cyclists.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19952851
Traditional physiological measures of aerobic fitness are useful to identify junior cyclists who can excel in their category. However, these variables cannot be used for talent identification, if "talent" is interpreted as a young cyclist who will succeed in becoming a professional.
01-13-14, 04:06 PM
#158
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Long-term success is predicted only by strict z2 base seasons, coaching, pro-fits, and properly calibrated power meters.
*edit I neglected to mention 40mph practice sprints and 290rpm seated spin ups.
*edit I neglected to mention 40mph practice sprints and 290rpm seated spin ups.
01-13-14, 07:02 PM
#161
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I'm only reading this page, but I'm friends with a guy who posted on it. He said finish school first, of course he's a cat1 and just graduated this summer, so he may be a bit biased.
I'm going to say if you have to ask a bunch of guys on the internet to tell you if you should go to school or not, then you're not mature enough to make decisions that could effectively alter the course of your entire life. Stay in school, grow up a bit, and then try.
Besides, if they are not beating down your door to give you a contract, then you're just another young guy that may have had a little bit of success, but not really all that special or unique. Sorry, but that's just reality.
I'm going to say if you have to ask a bunch of guys on the internet to tell you if you should go to school or not, then you're not mature enough to make decisions that could effectively alter the course of your entire life. Stay in school, grow up a bit, and then try.
Besides, if they are not beating down your door to give you a contract, then you're just another young guy that may have had a little bit of success, but not really all that special or unique. Sorry, but that's just reality.
01-16-14, 01:40 PM
#162
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I'm only reading this page, but I'm friends with a guy who posted on it. He said finish school first, of course he's a cat1 and just graduated this summer, so he may be a bit biased.
I'm going to say if you have to ask a bunch of guys on the internet to tell you if you should go to school or not, then you're not mature enough to make decisions that could effectively alter the course of your entire life. Stay in school, grow up a bit, and then try.
Besides, if they are not beating down your door to give you a contract, then you're just another young guy that may have had a little bit of success, but not really all that special or unique. Sorry, but that's just reality.
I'm going to say if you have to ask a bunch of guys on the internet to tell you if you should go to school or not, then you're not mature enough to make decisions that could effectively alter the course of your entire life. Stay in school, grow up a bit, and then try.
Besides, if they are not beating down your door to give you a contract, then you're just another young guy that may have had a little bit of success, but not really all that special or unique. Sorry, but that's just reality.
Fitness test values don't predict long-term success very well. VO2max can be used to somewhat predict success as a junior but not who will become a pro.
Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of junior cyclists of different specialties and performance levels.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20807389
Concerning the performance level, only the age and the aerobic parameters resulted differently within levels (VO(2max) : HL=67.3 ± 4.9, ML=65.5 ± 5.1 and LL=63.3 ± 5.2 mL/kg/min), with the highest values for HL
Aerobic fitness variables do not predict the professional career of young cyclists.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19952851
Traditional physiological measures of aerobic fitness are useful to identify junior cyclists who can excel in their category. However, these variables cannot be used for talent identification, if "talent" is interpreted as a young cyclist who will succeed in becoming a professional.
Physiological and anthropometric characteristics of junior cyclists of different specialties and performance levels.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20807389
Concerning the performance level, only the age and the aerobic parameters resulted differently within levels (VO(2max) : HL=67.3 ± 4.9, ML=65.5 ± 5.1 and LL=63.3 ± 5.2 mL/kg/min), with the highest values for HL
Aerobic fitness variables do not predict the professional career of young cyclists.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19952851
Traditional physiological measures of aerobic fitness are useful to identify junior cyclists who can excel in their category. However, these variables cannot be used for talent identification, if "talent" is interpreted as a young cyclist who will succeed in becoming a professional.
01-16-14, 03:08 PM
#163
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Oh great, another "pubmed" article which means nothing.
Reality is...pro teams use this as a basic determination....get with Vaughters on this topic and Garmin...they will guide you in the right direction, if they are willing to give any of their insights regarding the basic of physical talents/genetics.
The other portion is the mental/personality side. But you can't deny basic physiological tests as a basic determination.
I can assure you, if he has a 45 V02max....he's never going pro. If he is 87-88, now you got something to work with.
Reality is...pro teams use this as a basic determination....get with Vaughters on this topic and Garmin...they will guide you in the right direction, if they are willing to give any of their insights regarding the basic of physical talents/genetics.
The other portion is the mental/personality side. But you can't deny basic physiological tests as a basic determination.
I can assure you, if he has a 45 V02max....he's never going pro. If he is 87-88, now you got something to work with.
01-16-14, 03:19 PM
#164
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Just looking at the Abstract, I'd say the Conclusion is pretty much accurate:
"Traditional physiological measures of aerobic fitness are useful to identify junior cyclists who can excel in their category. However, these variables cannot be used for talent identification, if "talent" is interpreted as a young cyclist who will succeed in becoming a professional"
Or in other words you need to have a high VO2max to succeed at an elite level. But having a high Vo2 max doesn't mean you will suceed as a pro.
"Traditional physiological measures of aerobic fitness are useful to identify junior cyclists who can excel in their category. However, these variables cannot be used for talent identification, if "talent" is interpreted as a young cyclist who will succeed in becoming a professional"
Or in other words you need to have a high VO2max to succeed at an elite level. But having a high Vo2 max doesn't mean you will suceed as a pro.
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You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
01-16-14, 03:48 PM
#165
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To you maybe...
Obviously...
The athletes in the 2nd paper had VO2max of 71 +/- 7 so none of them sucked and the top guys would have been exceptional. Over 2% of those 309 athletes would have been two standard deviations above the mean. So about 6 guys had a VO2max of above 85... yet that failed to predict success.
There is a reason why we still hold the races...
Obviously...
The athletes in the 2nd paper had VO2max of 71 +/- 7 so none of them sucked and the top guys would have been exceptional. Over 2% of those 309 athletes would have been two standard deviations above the mean. So about 6 guys had a VO2max of above 85... yet that failed to predict success.
There is a reason why we still hold the races...
01-16-14, 03:52 PM
#166
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To you maybe...
Obviously...
The athletes in the 2nd paper had VO2max of 71 +/- 7 so none of them sucked and the top guys would have been exceptional. Over 2% of those 309 athletes would have been two standard deviations above the mean. So about 6 guys had a VO2max of above 85... yet that failed to predict success.
There is a reason why we still hold the races...
Obviously...
The athletes in the 2nd paper had VO2max of 71 +/- 7 so none of them sucked and the top guys would have been exceptional. Over 2% of those 309 athletes would have been two standard deviations above the mean. So about 6 guys had a VO2max of above 85... yet that failed to predict success.
There is a reason why we still hold the races...
01-16-14, 03:53 PM
#167
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To you maybe...
Obviously...
The athletes in the 2nd paper had VO2max of 71 +/- 7 so none of them sucked and the top guys would have been exceptional. Over 2% of those 309 athletes would have been two standard deviations above the mean. So about 6 guys had a VO2max of above 85... yet that failed to predict success.
There is a reason why we still hold the races...
Obviously...
The athletes in the 2nd paper had VO2max of 71 +/- 7 so none of them sucked and the top guys would have been exceptional. Over 2% of those 309 athletes would have been two standard deviations above the mean. So about 6 guys had a VO2max of above 85... yet that failed to predict success.
There is a reason why we still hold the races...
I heard proteams are just gonna start recruiting straight from Strava.
01-16-14, 04:40 PM
#169
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01-16-14, 06:04 PM
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I just want to see his USAC #
01-16-14, 06:17 PM
#175
out walking the earth
This thread is going to go on so long I suspect I can get another degree while it chugs along.