Am I too old to get into competitive cycling? I'm 15
08-25-14, 03:07 PM
#27
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My daughter started racing just a year younger than you. She managed to take a 4th place in the US Junior Nationals road race a couple of years later. She also received a cycling scholarship to a college in Texas where she took a 2nd, 4th, and 10th at the College Nationals while there.
08-25-14, 03:09 PM
#28
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Genetics and willpower determine results more so than age.
Your age will not hinder you.
Call the best club in the area. Lots of riders/coaches would want to help a lad like you.
Your age will not hinder you.
Call the best club in the area. Lots of riders/coaches would want to help a lad like you.
08-25-14, 06:46 PM
#29
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If you mean compete professionally, yeah, you're probably at the age you need to make the commitment. But on the amateur level, lots of folks don't even start competitive cycling until they're old enough to be in the Masters category.
08-25-14, 07:53 PM
#31
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incorrect for a 15 year old looking to get into a racing. A 15 year old needs to find a junior racing team with a coach. I would recommend contacting the local racing association. They'll usually have resources for junior racers and they'll be able to match you up with a junior specific team and a coach.
If you have a velodrome nearby, I would recommend starting on the track. Relatively cheap equipment, a "home base" to train at, and the coaches are more effective because you are riding and racing on a closed course. It won't preclude you from road racing, but it is a good environment to learn the fundamentals of bike racing.
The road racing forum is the spot to ask this question again. There are people there who can get you pointed in the right direction.
If you have a velodrome nearby, I would recommend starting on the track. Relatively cheap equipment, a "home base" to train at, and the coaches are more effective because you are riding and racing on a closed course. It won't preclude you from road racing, but it is a good environment to learn the fundamentals of bike racing.
The road racing forum is the spot to ask this question again. There are people there who can get you pointed in the right direction.
I rode with some pretty fast guys when I was in high school.
Your suggestion for a game plan is sound.
S
08-25-14, 08:15 PM
#32
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Being active is the key. The specifics are less important, especially as a beginner.
Starting much earlier than 15 might lead to burnout. It's a pretty time intensive sport.
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Last edited by Homebrew01; 08-25-14 at 08:21 PM.
08-25-14, 10:45 PM
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Since people don't really peak until late 20s, and many can hold that into early 30s or a little longer, I would say anytime before late twenties would be not too late to start and that assumes that competitive cycling means "reach pro level". To me though getting into competitive cycling implies getting into racing which can be done (afaik) at any age. It's never too late to race.
08-25-14, 11:41 PM
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Unless I'm missing something it seems to me age wouldn't be relevant, other than if you were too old it would likely be impossible to get good enough to compete with the top guys even if you had the innate ability.
Since people don't really peak until late 20s, and many can hold that into early 30s or a little longer, I would say anytime before late twenties would be not too late to start and that assumes that competitive cycling means "reach pro level". To me though getting into competitive cycling implies getting into racing which can be done (afaik) at any age. It's never too late to race.
Since people don't really peak until late 20s, and many can hold that into early 30s or a little longer, I would say anytime before late twenties would be not too late to start and that assumes that competitive cycling means "reach pro level". To me though getting into competitive cycling implies getting into racing which can be done (afaik) at any age. It's never too late to race.
08-25-14, 11:58 PM
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That said, if the talent is there that tends to shine through. I hate to make so many running comparisons, but as I'm relatively new to cycling I know that sport much better. A good example there is a guy like Dennis Kimetto. Started running at 26 and in three years time ran 2:04:16 marathon at Berlin and is one of the top dogs currently in marathon. Admittedly that is an extreme example of talent, but I still feel the example generally holds true.
My hunch is that if someone starts training seriously at 25 for 10 years they would be within a few % of the ability they might have 'optimally' had if they had been training for 10 years from 17 to 27.
And of course here we are talking about just getting into racing, not winning grand tours where you have to be the pinnacle amongst the elite. I would have serious doubts that a 40yr old age grouper who started training at 15 has any significant advantage over his identical twin who started training at 25.
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watermelon_2001
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