Bob Dopolina 

I'm certain no-one here recalls this but, after much hand ringing and a few sleepless nights I hung up my cleats last fall.

The decision was driven by the birth of my son, pressures at work and the dread of putting another team together for 2008. I just couldn't make the time commitment. I took the computer off my bike and started to enjoy the infrequent rides that I could squeeze in as they were all about fun and not about work.

Fast forward several months. My son is 15 months old, work has calmed down and my wife and I have settled into patterns that allow me to train again. I've started riding more frequently and have put together a new training schedule with the goal of racing in the fall. I've decided not to manage a team and just ride for someone else - basically who ever will give me a kit and cart me and my stuff to races. This shouldn't be a problem and I have a few options. I'm also trying to decide whether to race in my age category or go back to Elite (P/1/2).

The problem is that I'm 44 now and, although I didn't really have time to get fat or anything, I lost most of the fitness that I had when I stopped 7 or 8 months ago. I've done a few of the local wed. night training races and although I've improved in the last few weeks, it just feels like I'll never get back to the strength and level of fitness I once had.

I have also decided to officially train with a power meter (Ergomo). Previously, I had access to regular testing on a bike with an SRM so I have some idea of what I should be able to do but even when I was racing in 2007 I just figured I was so close to hanging them up that there was no point in making the investment. I'd raced for 20+ years without one and didn't feel like re-inventing the wheel in terms of my training. With semi-regular testing that seemed to be enough.

So, a few questions:

Has anyone else found themselves in a similar situation? If so, any suggestions?

Would anyone find it interesting to see the data as I go from untrained old guy to old guy who races again? I was thinking of starting some kind of blog. I know personally I am intrigued by hey, that could be just me.

I've attached a poll if you into that kind of thing.

Voodoo76

Bob,

A yes vote here. Im in the middle of working my way back. 9 years after Cat 2 status (Road & Track). I don't really have much to add in terms of numbers yet but I'm really interested in how yours shake out.

After 6 months I've noticed that my strength (sprint, jump) is still my strength, and that fitness is coming back slow but sure. The biggest eye opener was how much I struggled to get my Max HR up, used to be able to do that with ease. In the past that was usually a sign of "weak legs", but even that is coming around. Im waiting to see a few things out of myself before getting back into racing, and have considered a power meter. So im really interested in how that helps.

rizz

Do it and race masters. Those guys all look like they're having a blast.

Red Rider

This seems like a no-brainer to me. You want to train and race, after doing so for many years?

I just re-discovered road bikes 3 years ago, road my first TTs last year, and find myself riding crits and road races this year (not fast, but determined to get there). I have no racing background, just an athletic one, and have a decade on you.

So yeah, go for it, at whatever level challenges you.

Oh, and pics or it didn't happen.

Bantam

Go for it and use power. I'm assuming that with you P/1/2 status you have quite a base built up and the use of a power meter would be helpful in keeping your training time on the shorter, more efficient side.

YMCA

If the fire is there, go for it.
If you are like me and waffle on making a comeback, plan trips to the beach every weekend, so there is no choice.
Masters? Where's the challenge? Big fish in little pond is for the insecure.

Like the skate/surf punks say, "go big, or go home".

waterrockets 

Come back vote here. Start off in Masters and see how you feel. P/1/2 seems like a lot of stress if you're questioning it already.

I had a great 1st season in 1992, upgrading from 5 to 3 between June and September in Colorado. Then I burned out racing 3s as untrained pack fodder for 3 years. So I hung it up and just rode for fun and commuted. Every year or so I'd race 5s for the hell of it.

Well, last year I got my license back as a 3, and did two races as pack fodder in M35+. Trained well in the off season, and did 3 races this year, winning the last one. I'm having a blast, and I've got a couple Houston crits coming up in May that I'm really excited about. I'm not racing anywhere near full time. I think I've missed about 12 races this year, intentionally -- don't want to stress the home life too much.

Have at it!

ridethecliche

You stop racing when your heart isn't in it. Face it bob, you never 'hung up' your cleats. Your mind was always in the races even though you physically couldn't be there. Combined with your love for the sport and knowing that it's part of you, you'll get back into shape before you know it.

Start racing in your age category for a bit and see what happens. You might never be the same, but as some members here continuously prove, it's the brains in racing that make or break your finish not always your strength.

You'll do fine. As WR said, have at it. Face it, you're a roadie, but not just any roadie, you're a road racer at heart. You can't separate the two and you know it.

Keep us posted how you do, you old fogey you.

I like that saying, and I also like, "Burn out, don't fade away."

urbanknight

I do remember you posting about that. Nike said it best: JUST DO IT. Oh, and let me know how it works out with a son. I'm hoping to continue racing even after having a child in the next couple years, but am not sure exactly how to structure a training program to optimize the infrequent time on the bike.

patentcad

Correct. Great racing, safe fields, nice guys, you'd really enjoy it. Try to remember that this is supposed to be for fun.

Bob Dopolina 

Fun...fun...Oh wait! I know what that is! Yeah. Fun. I should give that a try.

YMCA

Not for me and probably not for Bob. Competition is not fun. It is a battle and the effort required is only worth it if the head says "go". Either you are in the fight, or hit the beach.

Not trying to sound hard-arse here, but competing is way harder than having some fun.

patentcad

And yet you have succeeded so admirably. I nominate this post for Road Nazi of the Month honors.

The point is that a 44 year old dude can break his own balls trying to race 28 year old Cat 2s, or he can race the 45 year old Cat 2s in the 35+, be more competitive and probably enjoy it more. If you don't think Vets racing is competitive, you are incorrect.

ridethecliche

Yeah, you old guys have to prove that you've still got it in you.

Don't worry Pcad, I know you guys could whoop my behind on mountain bike with dual suspension and treaded tires on any course

patentcad

Essentially. I look at it as the Final Chapter in Life's Pissing Contest.

botto 

it won't take long to get the fitness back.

bostongarden

I say go for it if you want to; and, any doubts you have about fitness and such are normal. I suspect that many here have competed at top levels, then, had kids, pursued careers, or got into other things that took time away from our athletic/relaxation/(fill in the blank) pursuits...enjoy your life. I'm loving racing again and I have been fodder thus far, but, I know I am going to kick butt again eventually; and, if I don't, so what. I'm still riding and loving it...don't go for past glory...look ahead and make what you want of your future.

GuitarWizard

It depends on your idea of "fun"....

I once climbed a mountain in near-blizzard conditions in the winter for 16 1/2 hours on half a Clif bar, no sleep, and maybe 16 oz. of Gatorade. For the entire day. Now that was "fun". Well, except for the 2-3 hour stretch when I wasn't sure if we were going to die or not since the leader lost the snow pickets and we had to free-climb a snow slab w/ 50-60 mph winds and snow loading (i.e., avalanche) conditions....but, that's beside the point. Or when I couldn't kneel down for a month afterwards because I spent 2 hours straight on my knees on a snow/ice ledge belaying the leader up the last ice pitch. Good stuff.

Oh..and in those 16 1/2 hours, we covered maybe 3-4 miles. It was brutal. But "fun".....of course, it was fun later on. Not while doing it.

Anyway.....

The dude sounds like he just wants to get back into racing, not competing in a grand tour event. I doubt he'll be making a livelihood from it, so he'll be fine with whatever he chooses.

Time to go change my bandages.

patentcad

It only took me 3 years/30K+ miles, but I do confess to getting addicted to high mileage riding and eschewing days off. That doesn't help.

botto 

pcaddy,

if you had trained smarter (i.e. cut the mileage, upped the intensity) and believed in yourself sooner, it would have only taken less than 3 months, not 3 years.

after not riding with any sort of regularity, i started again at the end of june, 2003. i was racing again less than 8 weeks later. i didn't get any results, but i did reasonably well. at least as well as one could when you're racing on a 2 1/2 pack a day habit.

ridethecliche

I'm guessing (hoping?) that you quit?

botto 

quit what?

slim_77

I am assuming that you are one of the reasons they created the masters class. I'm glad you found the time to train and maintain a family. Finding time is a biotch without kids.

I know that P/1/2 is a different story, but the guys that placed 1 and 2 in a race last week were ages 20 and 50 something, respectively.

ridethecliche

The cancer sticks.

Homebrew01

HTFU and quit whining .... A few months off the bike ?!?!?!?! Try 12 years off I like I did and see what it's like.
2 years back on now, (46 yo) and I'm top 10 in the 4's this spring, hoping to win a few and also do well in the 45+.