Originally Posted by pivoxa15
What would you say if someone like me wanted to become a professional cyclist? i.e. 22mph on a flat by myself with no training and 18yo. Early 90s road bike.
The same thing as I said a few posts up ... "Contact your local cycling association, get your licence, find a local race, and try."
At least you'll know where you stand with your local racers.
If you discover you like racing, then join a racing club. Try to find one with a coach, and one that meets regularly once or twice a week.
But here's the thing ... just about any cyclist can go out to the local races, and race Cat 5, and maybe after a few years of training might move up to Cat 4 or even Cat 3. A few racers will continue to move up to Cat 2 or 1 ... but MOST racers don't become professional racers.