Road Bike Racing - Am I too old to race?

I'm a 22 year old female who got into road biking two years ago and have been riding a lot ever since. I've been on a few training-type rides before and ride almost every day (usually for transportation or recreation). There are some local teams with very talented juniors and it makes me wonder whether I am too old to get into racing. I don't think I'm incredibly fast or particularly talented but I love riding hard and whenever I'm on a ride and a roadie (usually guys) passes me, I instantly jump on their wheel out of instinct. I guess my question is, is there an ideal age to begin racing? It seems a lot of racers started at a younger age than me, like their teens. Also, it's really discouraging to see women who are younger than me who are out there racing and who are already so much more advanced and experienced than me. I know it sounds stupid but I wish I had started getting into racing when I was younger.. Anyway, thanks for reading and I'm appreciate any input. :)

I'm a 22 year old female who got into road biking two years ago and have been riding a lot ever since. I've been on a few training-type rides before and ride almost every day (usually for transportation or recreation). There are some local teams with very talented juniors and it makes me wonder whether I am too old to get into racing. I don't think I'm incredibly fast or particularly talented but I love riding hard and whenever I'm on a ride and a roadie (usually guys) passes me, I instantly jump on their wheel out of instinct. I guess my question is, is there an ideal age to begin racing? It seems a lot of racers started at a younger age than me, like their teens. Also, it's really discouraging to see women who are younger than me who are out there racing and who are already so much more advanced and experienced than me. I know it sounds stupid but I wish I had started getting into racing when I was younger.. Anyway, thanks for reading and I'm appreciate any input. :)
Keep up the good work and enjoy.

Venga,

Katie Mactier, an Australian track cyclist, was 30 when she started cycling. She's in Athens now competing in the Olympics! See http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletebios/5012472/detail.html

Good luck,

Dave

for what it's worth, canadian champion lyne bessette only started racing seriously when she was 23... former belgian champion ludo dierckxsens worked in a truck factory until he was 29... so yeah... go for it

Ludo is my favorite!

venga - My father is 61 and just started racing. Did the PA Sr Games a month or two ago and loves it even though he finished only 3 from the back in several different races. It was his first race but he had been doing tours (did a trans am last year and several trans PA rides for the last 3 or 4 years), and he has done another race since. Set a reasonable goal for yourself and when you reach it set another one.

I asked the same thing in an earlier thread. I am 29 and was trying to decide to do my first race or not. After posting on here I found it very common for people to not get into racing until their mid - late 20's. Someone mentioned, and it made pretty good sense, that it is hard to get into racing as a youngster because of the cost. Once you get into your 20's most people have jobs and can now afford to support their own habit and not rely on their parents to foot the bill.

BTW, I did enter the race and had a blast. I have now participated in two races and will compete in a third on September 11th.

Have fun!

Webcor's Christine Thorburn didn't start riding until she was 29. Now she is in Athens riding the RR and TT.

You're certainly not too old to start. Women's road racing is full of competitors who have crossed over from other sports, or just discovered the inclination (maybe time?) to race beyond their teenage years.

Perhaps you might research the idea of joining a club, maybe doing some harder riding and seeing what you enjoy - and what suits your strengths? There are a lot of disciplines to choose from, although all may not be readily available in your locality.

I started at 27.

I can't recall his name now but there's a very good European pro who quit his job and took up racing at something like 28.

I would suggest getting in there, doing your best and have some fun.
there's no harm in checking it out at the very least.
I feel the same way about it as you and at better than a decade older and also female, I did my first TT this year (came in 4th in the cat4). I'm not in it to win, it's just a rush and really fun......and next season, who knows :D.

If you're breathin', you aren't too old to race :)

You're a baby! Go for it!

I did my first USCF race earlier this year at the tender age of 53.

Dotsie Cowden of team T-Mobile (http://www.usacycling.org/tmobile/team/bio.php?id=11) started riding a bike seriously at 25 years, racing at 26 years, and turned pro at 29 years of age.

So, to answer your question, no, you are not too old to start racing.

There was a former pro named Linda Jackson who started racing in her 30's. She was a pro a few years later and even raced in the female tours of france and italy as she neared her 40's. Jeanne Longo of France is still winning pro races at age 46. Kent Bostick made the U.S. Olympic team at age 43...and still races today in his 50's. Joop Zoetemelk of Holland won the World's road race in his early 40's. Andy Bishop was racing in the Tour de France with team 7-11 just two years removed from being a cat 4 amateur. Just go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There was a former pro named Linda Jackson who started racing in her 30's. She was a pro a few years later and even raced in the female tours of france and italy as she neared her 40's.Linda still races, although not at the professional level. She will be riding the Patterson Pass RR tomorrow out in Livermore, CA. Probably in the Pro/1/2 race. She's a regular rider in the "Noon Ride" that leaves out of Palo Alto every weekday.

Younger is better, and at 22 you aren't exactly ready for an aluminum (or Ti or carbon fiber) walker. If you can hook up with a club to learn some of the ins and outs, it'd be ideal. Otherwise, search the forums for "first race advice," try a couple using a one day license and if you like it, take the plunge.

My girlfriend didn't start until her late 40s and was still able to finish mid pack in her first crit. Ya just gotta want to have fun. Good luck