If I became Cat II, I would be the happiest man, but I became a pro, I would be ... poor

Ever get a discount on any bike parts? You're a pro!

Yeah, and actually, being a grad student gives you pretty flexible hours (although I guess it depends on the area and school). I personally have more free time to ride in grad school than ever before, even compared to undergrad and working :)

lots and lots of EPO shots.

anyway, when i was around 20 (a decade ago) and racing mountain bikes was my life, it seemed like becoming a pro at that point was something that was possible with a lot of dedication, work, and talent. what made it seem undesireable was that so many of the pro riders i'd meet at races seemed to be total bums. flat broke, sleeping in the backs of their beat-up old cars and eating beans from a can.

lots of these guys were talented and fast riders, but it was clear that unless you were in the top half percent (or less) of professionals, there was not a living in pro racing.

the stakes and standards in road racing are much higher than mountain (no one smokes weed after races, for instance), and the chances of success are far less.

when i transitioned over to road riding, i raced for two years and went as far as cat 3. i considered (and still do) myself a very strong rider, but i really got my ass handed to me when i hit cat 3. it became clear that without an amazing amount of training, coaching, nutrition, discipline, and raw talent, going any further was impossible.

Yeah, there was an interesting article in Bicycling a few months back about this training camp in Europe for the USCF U26 development team. That seemed like a pretty ***** existence to me, especially since most of those guys would spend a decade as random domestiques at best.

Well 30k miles a year = 3.5 hours of riding @ 23mph every single day {taking slow days into consideration}
Grad school will help in the dieting factor {Too broke to eat or drink crappy food}
California helps also..... Great weather, plenty of hills, dogs to chase you, SUV's to buzz you, therefore making you faster rider.
California doesn't help you also......... Hot girls/ guys everywhere from single soccer/baseball/football moms. To hot babes on the beaches, to Rosarito, cabo, UCSD, UCSB etc......
Training and nutrition well this forum might help you out...... But i doubt it though. Most people are to busy with Campy vs. shimano or steel vs. carbon ponderings. And when in doubt upgrade to the latest and greatest. It will for sure make you faster! And you at the very least look uber snazzy {matching etc....}.
Good luck........

I won $25 in a Cat 4/5 race. Am I a pro?

You used to work at Mickey D's?? Got any pics of you working the deep fryer? :)

well i only last for 2 weeks, so no pics.

i've always wondered if phillipe gilbert worked at one of those yummy (and greasy) Begian Frites places.

http://www.cycling4fans.de/uploads/p..._2005_capt.jpg

Ok, now that we've all wasted a ton of time, we can quit feeding the troll. He seems to have called it a career at 1 post.

Becoming Pro takes alot!! of work. I have the same aspirations, I started riding at the age of 20 and started racing right away. I got my ass kicked in my first race "lapped" I had only been riding a month or so but I feel it was good for me. I am 23 now and just turned Cat 2. I believe I will be a Pro Cyclist. Right now my advisors are telling me to take it slow and learn. As another poster said I will compete in some Stage Races next year agaisnt the big guns to see where I am at. I continue to put in the 28+ hour weeks on the bike while also going to college. Climbing is my speciality and thats what I focus on. I don't feel you have to start riding in your teens to become a Pro. Ride lots and if you have the genetics and determination and I feel most importantly DISCIPLINE you can do it. Ride 6 hours in the 100+ degree heat, ride 6 hours when it's pouring rain or cold. Bottom line ride lots and race lots to learn. I will get back with ya'll at this time next year to let you know what Pro Team I will be riding for. LOL

But his decision was certainly "inspirational" to all of us as well. :)

Thanx big broz... for all of your advice , inspirations , turn on'z and turn off'z !!!!

& this is it, I guess !



















NO PAIN ---->>>> NO GAIN

I certainly will ride to become the best of myself & will not just stop there... I certainly will rage a war against the roadz....


THANK U ALL ONCE AGAIN !!!!