How long did it take you to go from couch potato to pro?
03-22-15, 02:09 PM
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How long did it take you to go from couch potato to pro?
You occasionally hear stories of people rising through the cycling ranks fairly quickly. There was that English guy who went from overweight smoker to elite racer in just 8 months. Anyone here become a pro racer fairly quickly?
03-22-15, 03:32 PM
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I'm expecting a call any day. "Hello, Stephen, Pro Team here. It turns out all our riders got too slow when they quit doping, and we need some random fat old man to come win the race for us...". That's kind of like figuring up how many people have to die before you're the King of England.
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03-22-15, 03:37 PM
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The number of minutes it takes for your bloodstream to ingest whatever doping regimen you're taking
03-22-15, 04:00 PM
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I didn't take it quite so literally and thought it was an interesting question. I've often wondered what the bell curve might be like for people going from couch potato to competitive racer. The first example of eight months can certainly be the extreme example. Then there are those who were couch potatoes as students, then very gradually became more interested in fitness, then interested in competition, and maybe it takes those guys 20-30 years to go from nothing to, say, frequent podium-stander in masters races.
I'd venture to guess that 2-3 seasons or a little more is probably average to go from non-athletic novice to Cat 4 podiums. Anyone know better?
I'd venture to guess that 2-3 seasons or a little more is probably average to go from non-athletic novice to Cat 4 podiums. Anyone know better?
03-22-15, 04:25 PM
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I didn't take it quite so literally and thought it was an interesting question. I've often wondered what the bell curve might be like for people going from couch potato to competitive racer. The first example of eight months can certainly be the extreme example. Then there are those who were couch potatoes as students, then very gradually became more interested in fitness, then interested in competition, and maybe it takes those guys 20-30 years to go from nothing to, say, frequent podium-stander in masters races.
I'd venture to guess that 2-3 seasons or a little more is probably average to go from non-athletic novice to Cat 4 podiums. Anyone know better?
I'd venture to guess that 2-3 seasons or a little more is probably average to go from non-athletic novice to Cat 4 podiums. Anyone know better?
In any case, since we're talking about cycling I'd say elite cyclists are born rather than made. Elite endurance athletes become elite extremely quickly. Baseball, that's different. Requires more specific hand-eye training and innate ability.
03-22-15, 04:43 PM
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I'm still waiting for the pro teams to pay enough to afford me. Getting sick of the messages clogging my answer machine though.
03-22-15, 04:47 PM
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03-22-15, 05:01 PM
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I went from couch potato to a Tour rider in one year?
03-22-15, 05:12 PM
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Most people that have the potential to be pro's go from Cat 5 to Cat 2 in a season or less
Me, it took 23 years to make Cat3
Me, it took 23 years to make Cat3
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03-22-15, 05:15 PM
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+1
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03-22-15, 06:07 PM
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Phil Gaimon started riding in 2004 at the age of 18 and was a cat 2 in one year, a continental team rider in five years, and a pro world tour rider with Garmin-Sharp in ten years. It's possible if he grew up in Europe, he may have risen up the ranks quicker because there's not the same system and culture of cycling in the USA.
03-22-15, 06:11 PM
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I've raced against Phil. He can lap a local Pro 123 field pretty much at will. The Pro's are on a different plane.
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You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
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You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
03-22-15, 06:11 PM
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I'll let you know when I get there.
03-22-15, 06:15 PM
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1) When you say "pro racer" what are you thinking? What's your definition?
2) How many "pro racers" do you think post on the forums here?
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03-22-15, 07:08 PM
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2. I was thinking there had to be at least half a dozen pros on this forum.
03-22-15, 07:32 PM
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There are at least 2 posters here that raced pro. A number of Cat 1s, which is one level below a Division 3 pro.
Rest of us are wannabees
Rest of us are wannabees
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You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
03-22-15, 08:06 PM
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03-22-15, 08:10 PM
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03-22-15, 08:20 PM
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I made Cat3 after less than 2 years of road racing, but it took me over 2 decades to become a professional cyclist.
A few years ago I was a mountain bike guide for riders of my local area(Bootleg Canyon NV). I've never raced as a Pro, but I got paid to ride. It paid pretty well, and I loved my job.
Not all Professional Cyclists are racers.
A few years ago I was a mountain bike guide for riders of my local area(Bootleg Canyon NV). I've never raced as a Pro, but I got paid to ride. It paid pretty well, and I loved my job.
Not all Professional Cyclists are racers.
