At what age did you start racing?
03-26-14, 07:58 PM
#26
soon to be gsteinc...
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03-26-14, 09:45 PM
#27
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Riding and racing started at 34. Now 36. Bought a bike and raced it 2 weeks later. Got dropped within the first 2 miles on a climb and finished DFL. Almost won my 2nd race 6 weeks later... Racking up some top 10s. Still looking for my first podium.
03-26-14, 09:51 PM
#28
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As the title states. 16 years-old (Racing Age: 17)
Did you end up quitting and picking it back up later in life? Never totally quit but had some very lean training and racing years when my sons were born until they got a bit older -- about 7 years.
Did it hook you from the start? Obviously (see below)
How much have you improved? I haven't and I have. My current racing age is 57 (but I'm 56 years-old until September). I was a relatively good climber through my 20s. Look at the San Dimas results later this week to see how I climb now. I can hang and sometimes attack in criteriums now that would have had me blown out the back when I was in my 20s. I did my fastest 40 Km TT (by a lot) when I was 52.
Did you end up quitting and picking it back up later in life? Never totally quit but had some very lean training and racing years when my sons were born until they got a bit older -- about 7 years.
Did it hook you from the start? Obviously (see below)
How much have you improved? I haven't and I have. My current racing age is 57 (but I'm 56 years-old until September). I was a relatively good climber through my 20s. Look at the San Dimas results later this week to see how I climb now. I can hang and sometimes attack in criteriums now that would have had me blown out the back when I was in my 20s. I did my fastest 40 Km TT (by a lot) when I was 52.
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Cleave
"Real men still wear pink."
Visit my blog at https://cleavesblant.wordpress.com/
Lightning Velo Cycling Club: https://www.lightningvelo.org/
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Thanks.
Cleave
"Real men still wear pink."
Visit my blog at https://cleavesblant.wordpress.com/
Lightning Velo Cycling Club: https://www.lightningvelo.org/
Learn about our Green Dream Home at https://www.lawville.org/
03-27-14, 05:20 AM
#29
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Started cycling (other than the usual kid stuff) at 57. Did centuries and such until 61, when I bought my first license. Currently 62, RA is 63. It's good to be able to hurt like this again, even though results-wise I suck.
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Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
03-27-14, 05:40 AM
#30
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Riding: 28
Commuting: 30
Centuries: 34
Touring: 36
Racing:46
Now: 48
Improved a lot but still have a huge way to go. Racing sw4.
Commuting: 30
Centuries: 34
Touring: 36
Racing:46
Now: 48
Improved a lot but still have a huge way to go. Racing sw4.
03-27-14, 08:24 AM
#31
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For racing....I guess I'm a late bloomer ...started racing last year at age 54 and have now join a team this year racing various events. The way I look at it my body is still physically able to perform and I better take advantage of it while I can still ride/race and enjoy the things I can do. Have always ridden bikes...tour bike in Europe in early 20's, mountain bikes in my 30's & 40s and triathlons in my 50's.
03-27-14, 08:26 AM
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03-27-14, 08:27 AM
#33
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03-27-14, 08:53 AM
#34
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33: Started riding
41: First Race
Sometimes I wonder how I would have done had I started in my 20's, but then I remember the how awesome the drunken stupor of my 20's was and there's no way I'd trade that in for training. There's also no way I'd want to relive my 20's
but I'm glad I did it.
First few years cycling was more of something to do in between runs, I really haven't done this full time until last year.
41: First Race
Sometimes I wonder how I would have done had I started in my 20's, but then I remember the how awesome the drunken stupor of my 20's was and there's no way I'd trade that in for training. There's also no way I'd want to relive my 20's
but I'm glad I did it.First few years cycling was more of something to do in between runs, I really haven't done this full time until last year.
03-27-14, 09:32 AM
#36
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33: Started riding
41: First Race
Sometimes I wonder how I would have done had I started in my 20's, but then I remember the how awesome the drunken stupor of my 20's was and there's no way I'd trade that in for training. There's also no way I'd want to relive my 20's but I'm glad I did it.
First few years cycling was more of something to do in between runs, I really haven't done this full time until last year.
41: First Race
Sometimes I wonder how I would have done had I started in my 20's, but then I remember the how awesome the drunken stupor of my 20's was and there's no way I'd trade that in for training. There's also no way I'd want to relive my 20's
but I'm glad I did it.First few years cycling was more of something to do in between runs, I really haven't done this full time until last year.
03-27-14, 09:55 AM
#37
Making a kilometer blurry
03-27-14, 10:34 AM
#38
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33: Started riding
41: First Race
Sometimes I wonder how I would have done had I started in my 20's, but then I remember the how awesome the drunken stupor of my 20's was and there's no way I'd trade that in for training. There's also no way I'd want to relive my 20's but I'm glad I did it.
First few years cycling was more of something to do in between runs, I really haven't done this full time until last year.
41: First Race
Sometimes I wonder how I would have done had I started in my 20's, but then I remember the how awesome the drunken stupor of my 20's was and there's no way I'd trade that in for training. There's also no way I'd want to relive my 20's
but I'm glad I did it.First few years cycling was more of something to do in between runs, I really haven't done this full time until last year.
03-27-14, 10:49 AM
#39
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NEVER did any cycling untill last year June. 35 yrs odl now, never raced, but want-to-be racer . Only 2,700 miles on my legs
Played soccer and rugby since highschool so that helped.
. Only 2,700 miles on my legs Played soccer and rugby since highschool so that helped.
03-27-14, 11:44 AM
#41
commu*ist spy
I was 22 when I started riding more seriously, and started racing after several months of group rides and preparations.
now I'm at the ripe old age of 23, and still going strong.
Last edited by spectastic; 03-27-14 at 02:04 PM.
03-27-14, 12:39 PM
#42
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Riding: 31-33 then back at it at age 49
Commuting: 49
Centuries: 49, then Brevet's at 50
Racing:53
Now: 55
Still learning, still suck eggs, but I have some nice bikes now.
Commuting: 49
Centuries: 49, then Brevet's at 50
Racing:53
Now: 55
Still learning, still suck eggs, but I have some nice bikes now.
03-27-14, 01:06 PM
#43
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For racing....I guess I'm a late bloomer ...started racing last year at age 54 and have now join a team this year racing various events. The way I look at it my body is still physically able to perform and I better take advantage of it while I can still ride/race and enjoy the things I can do. Have always ridden bikes...tour bike in Europe in early 20's, mountain bikes in my 30's & 40s and triathlons in my 50's.
Not so fast sparky
2007 - After doing squat for 25 years I got a bike in at age 44. Was in horrible shape. Started riding more and losing a bunch of weight (lost a total of 95 lbs from highest to lowest and 65 of that was after starting cycling).
2009 - Decided to try a race in at age 46. Sucked really bad.
2010 - Found this place, trained some more and decided to join a team . Did 4 races. Finished near the back every time. Got lapped and/or pulled every race (except the road race where I was dropped very quickly).
2011 - Trained some more (with power now) and raced more. Got my FTP up to a stellar 235 watts at 155-160 lbs. Met my goals of not getting dropped/lapped and then a top 10 finish in Cat 5. Upgraded to Cat 4.
2012 - Got plagued with a bunch of different health issues. Came back to race the last crit of the season here in Nashville despite continuing issues and reduced training time. Had a blast hanging on for a good while but got dropped and pulled (but I wasn't DFL at least). Hacked up a lung in a 30 minute coughing fit while I enjoyed watching the other categories race the last local crit of the season.
2013 - 2014 - Not racing. Out of shape. Getting fat but starting to yearn to put a little more time in again and slowly start building up some fitness (though I may have to throw a knee surgery into the mix somewhere). I am hoping to do some racing in my 50's now.
I would say I improved immensely from when I started in 2007 through 2012. Though I started at such a pitiful level that peak of my vast improvement was still pretty unimpressive when compared to other racers. But still, even now, in the out of shape condition I am in I am still WAY ahead of where I was in 2007-2010. I still take some satisfaction in that.
2007 - After doing squat for 25 years I got a bike in at age 44. Was in horrible shape. Started riding more and losing a bunch of weight (lost a total of 95 lbs from highest to lowest and 65 of that was after starting cycling).
2009 - Decided to try a race in at age 46. Sucked really bad.
2010 - Found this place, trained some more and decided to join a team . Did 4 races. Finished near the back every time. Got lapped and/or pulled every race (except the road race where I was dropped very quickly).
2011 - Trained some more (with power now) and raced more. Got my FTP up to a stellar 235 watts at 155-160 lbs
. Met my goals of not getting dropped/lapped and then a top 10 finish in Cat 5. Upgraded to Cat 4.2012 - Got plagued with a bunch of different health issues. Came back to race the last crit of the season here in Nashville despite continuing issues and reduced training time. Had a blast hanging on for a good while but got dropped and pulled (but I wasn't DFL at least
). Hacked up a lung in a 30 minute coughing fit while I enjoyed watching the other categories race the last local crit of the season.2013 - 2014 - Not racing. Out of shape. Getting fat but starting to yearn to put a little more time in again and slowly start building up some fitness (though I may have to throw a knee surgery into the mix somewhere). I am hoping to do some racing in my 50's now.
I would say I improved immensely from when I started in 2007 through 2012. Though I started at such a pitiful level that peak of my vast improvement was still pretty unimpressive when compared to other racers. But still, even now, in the out of shape condition I am in I am still WAY ahead of where I was in 2007-2010. I still take some satisfaction in that.
As the title states. 16 years-old (Racing Age: 17)
Did you end up quitting and picking it back up later in life? Never totally quit but had some very lean training and racing years when my sons were born until they got a bit older -- about 7 years.
Did it hook you from the start? Obviously (see below)
How much have you improved? I haven't and I have. My current racing age is 57 (but I'm 56 years-old until September). I was a relatively good climber through my 20s. Look at the San Dimas results later this week to see how I climb now. I can hang and sometimes attack in criteriums now that would have had me blown out the back when I was in my 20s. I did my fastest 40 Km TT (by a lot) when I was 52.
Did you end up quitting and picking it back up later in life? Never totally quit but had some very lean training and racing years when my sons were born until they got a bit older -- about 7 years.
Did it hook you from the start? Obviously (see below)
How much have you improved? I haven't and I have. My current racing age is 57 (but I'm 56 years-old until September). I was a relatively good climber through my 20s. Look at the San Dimas results later this week to see how I climb now. I can hang and sometimes attack in criteriums now that would have had me blown out the back when I was in my 20s. I did my fastest 40 Km TT (by a lot) when I was 52.
03-27-14, 01:06 PM
#44
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) and I'm fairly certain valygrl is bright enough to pick up on that, or tough enough to deal with it
03-27-14, 02:06 PM
#45
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Of course, when I moved to Texas, I stopped drinking. I lived in a dry county, so I had to drive 30 minutes out of town to buy beer. And going to bars meant being surrounded by dozens of smokers. Even after just two beers, I'd wake up the next day feeling like crap because of all the smoke. After awhile, being able to get up on a Saturday morning and ride my bike took precedence over going out to the bars or making a trip to buy beer.
03-27-14, 03:04 PM
#46
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At what age did you start racing? 29 but it was more dabbling and my focus at the time was running 10Ks
Did you end up quitting and picking it back up later in life? Yes, I continued to cycle on and off and restarted racing in 2007 at age 57
Did it hook you from the start? The restart in 2007 did but it has also changed. I started out at road and now do track exclusively and focus on 500 m, pursuit, team sprint and team pursuit.
How much have you improved? I aged up this year to 65-69 and my 5 second and 1 minute power are at max and I have two back to back PRs in the 500 meters in February and March at Velo Sports Center. I am definitely stronger with more power than when I started at age 29 but to be fair, I have trained a lot with some great coaches. If I had trained right at 29, the result would probably be different.
Did you end up quitting and picking it back up later in life? Yes, I continued to cycle on and off and restarted racing in 2007 at age 57
Did it hook you from the start? The restart in 2007 did but it has also changed. I started out at road and now do track exclusively and focus on 500 m, pursuit, team sprint and team pursuit.
How much have you improved? I aged up this year to 65-69 and my 5 second and 1 minute power are at max and I have two back to back PRs in the 500 meters in February and March at Velo Sports Center. I am definitely stronger with more power than when I started at age 29 but to be fair, I have trained a lot with some great coaches. If I had trained right at 29, the result would probably be different.
03-27-14, 06:39 PM
#47
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I quit racing and mostly riding until 2010. I got back into racing and have done very well. I have been ranked as high as 9th in the country in my age group and category. That's better than when I was younger.
03-28-14, 06:24 AM
#49
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Pshaw! Not going to treat any racer here differently because of sex. Besides it was meant as a compliment to the folks who decided to start doing something quite physically demanding at a bit of an advanced age (is that better? ) and I'm fairly certain valygrl is bright enough to pick up on that, or tough enough to deal with it
) and I'm fairly certain valygrl is bright enough to pick up on that, or tough enough to deal with it
03-28-14, 02:49 PM
#50
Senior Member
Learned to ride a bike: age 8ish maybe... ish
Started commuting: Undergrad, 2008, 23 years old
Rode with Stanford cycling and tri teams once in a blue moon: 2011-2012
Rode for fun solo and groups: 2013
Started racing: Late 2013, 28 years old
Loved it from when I started commuting, but never thought about riding just for fun or racing.
Thought of racing triathlon in 2012, but found out I sink like a rock.
Quit smoking by switching to ecigs to improve training. (2012)
Chose cycling over tri/running last year. Still swim twice a week. Lat run I did was the Spartan Beast before my first bike race.
Improvement... hard to say. Improved ftp from initial 303 to 325 since I started training at the end of last year. Improved max power from 1200 to 1400 in same time.
Started commuting: Undergrad, 2008, 23 years old
Rode with Stanford cycling and tri teams once in a blue moon: 2011-2012
Rode for fun solo and groups: 2013
Started racing: Late 2013, 28 years old
Loved it from when I started commuting, but never thought about riding just for fun or racing.
Thought of racing triathlon in 2012, but found out I sink like a rock.
Quit smoking by switching to ecigs to improve training. (2012)
Chose cycling over tri/running last year. Still swim twice a week. Lat run I did was the Spartan Beast before my first bike race.
Improvement... hard to say. Improved ftp from initial 303 to 325 since I started training at the end of last year. Improved max power from 1200 to 1400 in same time.
Last edited by aaronmcd; 03-28-14 at 02:54 PM.