"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Can I be a pro

I'm 5'9" 185, run a 5.0 40, but I'm willing to work really hard. Almost made the varsity squad at my small High School as a junior.

I think if I work really hard this summer, I can start at Left tackle next year as a senior, go to a 1AA school,and continue to work hard and get drafted in the NFL.

Do you think I have a chance to be a first round pick? And should I just do base miles this summer, or a lot of SST?

Wrong forum.

Wrong forum.

agreed, actually meant to post it in road, where it fits with the existing thread.

Those fitness numbers are right along the lines of some pro's. Like pro's at checkers or Texas Hold-em.

Thread placement fail!

double your weight and add 7 inches to your height and your 40 time is acceptable for an offensive tackle.

Which thread?

This almost reads like a letter to the penthouse forums.

You need to do more strength training.

double your weight and add 7 inches to your height and your 40 time is acceptable for an offensive tackle.

Maybe 20 years ago.

5.0 is silly slow.

back in the day i use to roll in my 5.0 with the rag top down so my hair could blow.

i think that qualifies me as a PRO. later.

back in the day i use to roll in my 5.0 with the rag top down so my hair could blow.

i think that qualifies me as a PRO. later.

were the girlies on standby waving just to say hi?

were the girlies on standby waving just to say hi?

Did he stop?

Maybe 20 years ago.

5.0 is silly slow.

The second fastest Offensive Lineman (I said he could play offensive tackle) this year ran a 5.03 in the combine man....get your facts straight. The fastest was Murtha at 4.89 and look where he got drafted....7th round. That big of a jump in speed did nothing to help his draft status. So yes the OP could play in the NFL as an Offensive Lineman if he added 7 inches and doubled his weight like I said originally.

Did he stop?

No he just drove by.

Eh. I used to be a pretty good pitcher in my Legion days. I'm 5'10, 170 lbs. Had a pretty good overhand curve, so-so slider, and a back-up change. On a good day I could throw my fastball in the high 80s, maybe break 90 with a tailwind. I figured I'd maxed out my physical abilities. You know, your levers are only so long.

Then this guy shows up and ruins that theory.

http://www.chrisoleary.com/projects/Baseball/Pitching/Images/Pitchers/TimLincecum/TimLincecum_2007_007.jpg

Freak.

I was a pitcher too in high school. Threw about the same speeds as Caloso and had a wicked overhand curve. Look how contorted his upper body is. He is using his entire body to pitch and that's what makes a difference between a good high school/college pitcher and a major league pitcher.

I quit playing organized ball at 14. When I was in my mid-30's I was in Atlanta and went to a game with my brother-in-law. They had a booth where you got to throw 3 pitches for $1 that were timed with a radar gun. I hadn't thrown in years, was wearing street clothes, no mound, no warm-up and I was throwing at 88 mph.

I think I made an expensive mistake at 14.

No he just drove by.


Kept on pursuing to the next stop?

later.

Kept on pursuing to the next stop?

later.

He busted a left and headed to the next block.

The block was dead, yo.. so I continued on to A1A BEACHFRONT AVENUE


I'd be happy to move this to Road, or we could continue rapping.

The block was dead, yo.


I'd be happy to move this to Road, or we could continue rapping.



i know, so he continued to A1A Beachfront Avenue where the girls were hot wearing less than bikinis...


later.

Rockman lovers driving Lamborghinis

Look how contorted his upper body is. He is using his entire body to pitch and that's what makes a difference between a good high school/college pitcher and a major league pitcher.

Did you notice that he is throwing a change-up?

Jealous 'cause I'm out gettin mine

Did you notice that he is throwing a change-up?

not when I initially saw the picture.

The second fastest Offensive Lineman (I said he could play offensive tackle) this year ran a 5.03 in the combine man....get your facts straight. The fastest was Murtha at 4.89 and look where he got drafted....7th round. That big of a jump in speed did nothing to help his draft status. So yes the OP could play in the NFL as an Offensive Lineman if he added 7 inches and doubled his weight like I said originally.

Sorry I was wrong.

Shay with a guage and Psimet with a nine....

later.

Thread placement fail!

At least my misplaced thread actually made it two pages.

And as for my actual football potential, my problem was I had the speed of an OG, and the size of a safety. Combine that with limited athleticism, and law school is a much better option.

Sorry I was wrong.

Now if we were talking RB, WR, or DB yes 5.0 s 40 would be almost impossible to be a pro.

At least my misplaced thread actually made it two pages.

And as for my actual football potential, my problem was I had the speed of an OG, and the size of a safety. Combine that with limited athleticism, and law school is a much better option.

I suspect that is why a majority of people aren't NFL players.

Now if we were talking RB, WR, or DB yes 5.0 s 40 would be almost impossible to be a pro.

A 5.0 would be about right for a RB, WR or DB.....if you were running backwards.

Somehow, someway I'm feelin' like I'm being baited by this thread...

Some of you might already know that I'm a former NFL domestique...several teams - the Pats, Falcons, briefly with the Browns. Late 80s, early 90s...very non-descript...

Anyway OP, unless you make an incredible transformation (ala James Hasty - my HS tightend/outside LB turned 4.3-40 All-NFL cornerback w/a 12 year career) - it ain't gonna happen...stay with the SST...

But what about backwards?

Somehow, someway I'm feelin' like I'm being baited by this thread...

Some of you might already know that I'm a former NFL domestique...several teams - the Pats, Falcons, briefly with the Browns. Late 80s, early 90s...very non-descript...

Anyway OP, unless you make an incredible transformation (ala James Hasty - my HS tightend/outside LB turned 4.3-40 All-NFL cornerback w/a 12 year career) - it ain't gonna happen...stay with the SST...


Whole point of the thread was to make a point to the crowd that believes anyone can become a professional cyclist by mere work.

Most everyone would conceed that you can't become a professional football player (or basketball player, or baseball player, or pro golfer etc.) without starting with a good deal of inherent ability.

I'm betting that for you to have made an NFL roster you were an exceptional high school, and collegiate player.

Yet some have dificulty grasping that to be a pro cyclist, you have to have some ability to go with all the requistie hard work.

Whole point of the thread was to make a point to the crowd that believes anyone can become a professional cyclist by mere work.

Most everyone would conceed that you can't become a professional football player (or basketball player, or baseball player, or pro golfer etc.) without starting with a good deal of inherent ability.

I'm betting that for you to have made an NFL roster you were an exceptional high school, and collegiate player.

Yet some have dificulty grasping that to be a pro cyclist, you have to have some ability to go with all the requistie hard work.

I fully understand/stood the intent of this thread. However, the analogy leaves a bit to be desired but your point is made. I fully agree you must start with some very good material.

Truth be told, it would be FAR easier and attainable for an amateur cyclist with some talent to become a pro cyclist than an amateur football player with some talent to become an NFL player. Politics plays a significant part in who gets a pro cycling contract and who doesn't. Basically who ya' know plays significantly as most serious amateur cyclists know several Cat. 1 racers that could perform just as well if not better than many current domestic pros - heck, they could probably do satisfactory duty as domestiques on Protour teams. I know several local (Vancouver, BC) cat.1s that definitely have the talent and should have pro contracts, but don't for whatever reason. Flip the coin and take a look at the roster of your local college or university football team. It would be a needle in a haystack to find an athlete with NFL skills and talent.

Not tooting my horn at all, but making an NFL squad is a selection beyond comprehension for most amateur athletes and/or laypeople...

A 5.0 would be about right for a RB, WR or DB.....if you were running backwards.

if your RB or WR is running backwards often you have problems. A DB might run backwards 10 yards at the start of the play but when the play goes vertical they usually turn and run with the receiver.

[Humor/]

OK, now read what I wrote and see if that helps.

Whole point of the thread was to make a point to the crowd that believes anyone can become a professional cyclist by mere work.

Most everyone would conceed that you can't become a professional football player (or basketball player, or baseball player, or pro golfer etc.) without starting with a good deal of inherent ability.

I'm betting that for you to have made an NFL roster you were an exceptional high school, and collegiate player.

Yet some have dificulty grasping that to be a pro cyclist, you have to have some ability to go with all the requistie hard work.


You are missing the point of the other thread or you just view the glass as half empty but ill play along......


Just because you dont have what it takes today (low FTP, etc, etc) dosent mean that with a little (or a lot) of hard work you cannot get there. What came first... Armstrong's TdF wins or the extra hard work over a DECADE???? You dont wake up one morning and poof become a pro cyclist without a lot of dedication and hard work year after year.

I have no delusions of ever going pro in cycling. The sacrifices you must make are way beyond what I could commit at this point in my life (plus im getting damn old). But that dosen't mean I wont keep pushing myself to the best of my ability year in and year out. Even at our little level of competition in the amateur ranks one shouldn't sell themselves short by making silly statements like "I dont have the genetics"...

Quote from a kid:

To this end, don't let the work ethic of a champion discourage you and surely do not try to use it as an excuse of why you cannot follow suit. No one starts off being a champion, thus, no one has any kind of advantage over you on your path to victory. The weak will make excuses and justifications, while the strong blindly beat their bodies down and love every single minute of it. The weak will fail when the odds are stacked against them, while the strong will never surrender despite the ammount of sweat in their eyes or dirt on their hands; Impossible for the weak is merely difficult for the strong. The weak will be overtaken by fear and break down without a bruise or scratch, cowardly saying they cannot train like a champion, the strong do any and everything necessary to become THAT champion.

Joey Mantia

If you really want to be a pro and are really, really nice to me, I might consider adding you to my stable of hookers.

You are missing the point of the other thread or you just view the glass as half empty but ill play along......


Just because you dont have what it takes today (low FTP, etc, etc) dosent mean that with a little (or a lot) of hard work you cannot get there. What came first... Armstrong's TdF wins or the extra hard work over a DECADE???? You dont wake up one morning and poof become a pro cyclist without a lot of dedication and hard work year after year.

I have no delusions of ever going pro in cycling. The sacrifices you must make are way beyond what I could commit at this point in my life (plus im getting damn old). But that dosen't mean I wont keep pushing myself to the best of my ability year in and year out. Even at our little level of competition in the amateur ranks one shouldn't sell themselves short by making silly statements like "I dont have the genetics"...

Quote from a kid:

To this end, don't let the work ethic of a champion discourage you and surely do not try to use it as an excuse of why you cannot follow suit. No one starts off being a champion, thus, no one has any kind of advantage over you on your path to victory. The weak will make excuses and justifications, while the strong blindly beat their bodies down and love every single minute of it. The weak will fail when the odds are stacked against them, while the strong will never surrender despite the ammount of sweat in their eyes or dirt on their hands; Impossible for the weak is merely difficult for the strong. The weak will be overtaken by fear and break down without a bruise or scratch, cowardly saying they cannot train like a champion, the strong do any and everything necessary to become THAT champion.

Joey Mantia

The problem I see with using LA as an example here is that he was winning National championships in his teens in the triathlon. He finished 2nd in the Iron Kids National Championship at age 14. Are you saying he put a decade of training in before this? He had the naturally ability to begin with. Yes people can greatly improve their athleticism with hard work but their is a ceiling. The guys that have the natural talent to begin with and then work just as hard are the ones that are the bad asses.

The problem I see with using LA as an example here is that he was winning National championships in his teens in the triathlon. He finished 2nd in the Iron Kids National Championship at age 14. Are you saying he put a decade of training in before this? He had the naturally ability to begin with. Yes people can greatly improve their athleticism with hard work but their is a ceiling. The guys that have the natural talent to begin with and then work just as hard are the ones that are the bad asses.

He also was told by everybody that he would NEVER win the TdF...... My point stands :)


And to the point in bold... Nobody on this forum is even close to their ceiling.

Ill add....


There are two types of pro athletes in the world. Those that are naturally gifted (the ones that go from CAT 5 to 1 in a year) and those that train via determination to be the best. Lots of you folks are lumping in the latter pros in with those that are geneticly gifted..... So in that case yeah I agree my Armstrong example is poor.

More often than not the athletes that have a gift and jump up the ranks fast end up quitting the sport long before they hit their prime where the ones that are too hard headed to quit seem to stick it out longer. Those that are gifted and stick it out (Armstrong, Lemond, etc) are above all.

Also you cant really compare cycling to Football or Basketball. Genetics DO play a role here as you have to be big (Football) or tall (Basketball) to have a chance. There are pro cyclists anywhere from 5ft to 6ft+ tall.

He also was told by everybody that he would NEVER win the TdF...... My point stands :)


And to the point in bold... Nobody on this forum is even close to their ceiling.

of course not...I could lose a 100lbs and still be heavier than Tom Danielson.

of course not...I could lose a 100lbs and still be heavier than Tom Danielson.

If I ever reach my ceiling, it will collapse from my weight.

If I ever reach my ceiling, it will collapse from my weight.

Sam: What'cha up to, Norm?

Norm: My ideal weight if I were 9 feet tall.

Just because you dont have what it takes today (low FTP, etc, etc) dosent mean that with a little (or a lot) of hard work you cannot get there.

Give me one example of a professional cyclist who sucked starting out, languished in Cat 4 for a few years then made it big time. I'm betting that does not exist.

There may well be stories of pros who got dropped in their first race, before they figured things out. However, I'm betting the vast majority of them quickly showed their pre disposition for the sport and distinguished themselves.

Give me one example of a professional cyclist who sucked starting out, languished in Cat 4 for a few years then made it big time. I'm betting that does not exist.

There may well be stories of pros who got dropped in their first race, before they figured things out. However, I'm betting the vast majority of them quickly showed their pre disposition for the sport and distinguished themselves.

I dont know of a single one but dont know may pro cyclists to be honest :innocent: . I used to inline speedskate and at the end of my run was competitive at a national level. It took me 4 years to go from suck to competitive. and when I say suck I mean dead last in every race. Two of my team mates (Michael C and Tommy B) that I thought were pretty much were in the same boat as it took time for them to hit their stride. Now we had a few guys that were naturals (Sam B, Trey, Timmy W) and took to the sport day one it seems.

From other sports Buster Douglas said himself he was never a natural at boxing but worked his tail off and beat Mike Tyson in his prime..... One if not the best heavyweight we have ever seen.

Theres bound to be thousands of other examples out there.......... Point is you cant assume that somebody will hit their stride in one, two, three, or even four years. There are all other kinds of setbacks that might delay what could be for that cyclist.

Comparing sports actually doesn't work very well. Some sports are highly skill dependent and others depend more on innate athleticism. I mentioned earlier in this thread that I had a "gift" for throwing baseballs very fast. How did I get that gift? I actually don't know if it was genetic (looking at my two sons I would say "No"!) or training. My guess is training. I will say that when I was 6 years old I really wanted to be a major league pitcher and I studied them as closely as I could on TV and in person. I would practice my throwing motion in front of a full-length mirror every day and beg people older than me to play "catch" at every opportunity. Of course lots of guys can throw hard, but that ain't pitching. And you have to do it every 5 days for an entire season. That's where I lot of guys like me failed.