DocRay

I really hate people who use "u" instead of "you". Burn a calorie on the two extra keystrokes.

timmhaan

what's up with your dad! that advice is just dead wrong. 16 too old to start training seriously?? does he know anything about the sport? i don't mean to sound harsh, but that's just about the worst advice i've heard in a long time. most riders don't even hit their stride until late 20's and early 30's and many race into their 40's and 50's. you basically could have over 40 years of racing in you if you're healthy as an adult. not enough time?! bull****.

rubber_souls

I started when I was 17 and I'm turning 19 in a few months. At such a young age, we're lucky to be able to become so fit so quickly. Don't listen to those people who told you 16 was too late. Only a year after I started I was racing Cat 1 and finishing well. Take advantage of your fitness now!
I plug in about 400-600km (20-30 hours) weekly and throw in the odd epic 200km ride. Just came back from a stage race and hit up 930km in 7 days. Aiming to race hard and race to win this year.

WD_40

Too old? Are you kidding me? Man... I wish I had started training at 16.

GuitarWizard

x2

I had a Trek 930 mountain bike then (which I liked a lot), and would borrow my neighbors road bike quite a bit and rode that for a few years, but didn't get my first road bike until I was almost 19. Rode quite a bit back then, but nothing really structured in regards to a training program, and if I only knew then what I know now about nutrition and hydration......and training.

Dammit.

Pizza Man

Boy, I wish I had started at 16, or even at 26, but I just started last summer at 35 1/2. I hope to make it to Cat 1 before I reach my peak.

nitropowered

Train hard, race hard, and most importantly, rest hard. Rest days are just as important as training and race days because you need your body to recover. Burn outs are horrible and will take a few weeks to get back into the swing of things.

And the most important advice I have come along is you won't get faster unless you ride with faster/stronger riders.

I started racing last year doing collegiate races. I've done two Cat 5 races, taking 2nd in one of them. Put my petition to upgrade today since I just found out that my collegiate races count toward Cat 5 -> Cat 4 upgrade.

ultraman6970

I was 13 when I started racing... I was cat 1 when I was 20/21 (before of that i was junior so I wasnt allowed to run with adults) I went to my 1st Junior panamerican when i was 17, and a few more adult panams. Retired when I was 24 because I had to start working and university. So no time for bike no more.

16 is a good age, never but NEVER NEVER leave the college behind OK? if u have to decide between college and the bike... go for the college OK? Have fun kiddo

rufvelo

Very good advice!

(your story is very similar to mine )

rufvelo

Very important to understand what Dad really means by 'be any good', so it may be the best advice you've got. Are you thinking of a real pro career? Do you understand what it takes to be a pro and actually make a living from competitive cycling, not just getting a free bike or a jersey/goodies and some maintenance help from some the local bike shop? Do you understand that as a pro you may have to show up for a race even sick, in the worst of weather and do some mileage before abandoning? Very different from tucking in real cozy when you're a bit 'under the weather'. Maybe father knows best - he'd certainly know you better than all of us.

While cycling is not like tennis or violin, 16 may be too old if you've been laying on the couch all these years. If you haven't been actively developing yourself physically with some running etc. , you've already wasted some very good years of development especially in comparison with kids starting at 12. This is your competition, not someone who's a 'pretty good biker' at 45! If you have been active, then 16 is a good age to get into competitive cycling and build endurance and speed so you'll toughen up well by 20. Again I'm not talking about sprinting 200m, or 40K crits, but closer to 150-250k races. As a pro, you'll probably need to live, train overseas and sacrifice something, often family, other loved ones and education. Sheryl Crow may not travel to Europe to support you

So maybe Dad isn't right, or completely wrong for that matter, but 'being good' usually means good enough to support yourself doing it, whatever 'it' is. So clarify with Dad, before allowing anyone and everyone on some internet forum to trash him/his advice. And do keep that college degree firmly in mind.

Andrei

Thanks alot guys! Very helpful! As for all of you blaming my dad for bad advice - he never said that I'm too old and should just forget it and study more, he said that 16 might be a little too old (he was probably comparing cycling to running) and I will have to train super hard to be good at it. Now I have to find a team and a good coach to help me train (btw, i also do group non-competitive rides about twice a week with some really experienced riders that would be glad to help me). Like I said, thank you for all the support!

Andrei

I haven't really considered becoming a pro just because it will take up too much of my school time, as for being fit - I have been on a bike as far as I can remember, about a year ago I used to do long rides (300k) on a cheap mountain bike as a camping trip, i also run every once in a while (but ride way, way more often), I ride mountain bike at least once a week, do some trials once in a while, go to gym once or twice a week if weather is bad for riding - so I wouldn't call myself a lazy fat@$$. BTW, I can climb faster and longer then some (maybe even most) of the guys in the group that I ride with, but thats probably 'cause they are old

Moochers_Dad

You've been riding your bike already so it's not like you can really say 16 is your starting age. Maybe it's the age you decide to train for racing, and race. But realistically, you've already got plenty of miles in your legs.

I think your dad is just trying to get out of buying you a really nice bike (provided you are not going to buy your own). Since he's now been busted, DEMAND something really expensive.

GuitarWizard

Get coaching, now. If you ride with a decent group of riders and can already outclimb even half of them (age has nothing to do with it.....there are a LOT of "fast old men" around), you may have some potential.

Keep us posted.

Smoothie104

Do your friend and Father race Bicycles?

Why take advice on racing from someone who knows nothing about it?

pecos

Well said. Thanks dude, truly inspiring. The reason I come to this forum is to find posts like yours.

I started training and racing last year, at the tender age of 42.

white lobster

Tyler Hamilton didn't start racing until he was in college. 16 is nowhere near too young.

Piuma

Hmm... seems like that's going to be true whether you start at 13 or 33.

Piuma

Yeah but he's got good blood.

cabinet2621

I started racing at 28... and now I am 28. Honestly 16 is a drop in the hat if you are too old to train, and race I am death. I would imagine half the poeple in this forum are death compared. Train and race, if you have what it takes you'll make it otherwise you'll have to settle for Cat 2/1

AtlAllez

Hey i JUST started racing. Im 15 and a half. I have done 4 races this season so far. The most important thing for me was joining a team. This has been such an amazing advantage to have. Not only do you have somebody to train with you and coach you. You have rides and information to tons of races. You will get team discounts on expensive biking gear and maybe even free gear.
You are not too young. I believe that greg Lemond really started cycling in collage when he was kicked off the alpine skiing team. I started out wanting to race and had only done a few charity rides . Now I ride everyday of the week (one day of rest) race every other week and am having a great time. JOIN A TEAM

Jake B

I started racing when I was 13(that was last year). I think that 16 is an great age to start racing. Like others have said, just look at Tom Danielson. By the way, if you want to see quicker improvements in your fitness, look for a good, knowledgable coach. I have been using a coach for going on 4 weeks now, and I can already see an improvement in my riding-no lie.

Hope this helps,
Jake

Androssmazor

What about Mike Jones, who was completely unfit at 20, let alone cycling, and is a top pro 4 or 5 years down the line.

james_robert

im turning 17 in a couple of days, , and have done a couple races previous to this season, but this year ive joined with the bike shop im working for now, and i do around 70km on interval days, and closer to 90 - 100km on easy days, totaling just under about 500km a week. Im also working with my provincial cycling team, which is why im comfortable doing this training knowing im not over training because my coach is amazing.

Portlandonian

https://www.thebeanteam.com/members/bio/8

Started at 22, from commuter to pro in 4/5 years.