am i too old to start racing/ trying to be a pro

[jamma]

What club do you ride with now?

Stockto wheelers

 

[DCLane]

@jamma - start with some of the 4th cat races near you, providing you've done the training (group rides, chain gang, etc).

Then you'll find out

 

[Dirk]

I have just done my first 11 mile time trail today average speed was 13.5mph time was 50 mins 30 secs.
hopefully when i keep doing these i will get a faster average speed and time

I think you have an awful lot of hard work ahead of you, if you want to become pro.
I'm 40 years older than you. My best average on the local cycle clubs training route is 16.8 mph. That's over a 20 mile course with 1200 feet of climbing.
Alex Dowsett is half as fast again, than me, over the same course - and he wasn't racing!

 

[HarryTheDog]

I know someone who tried/ is trying to do what you are thinking of. He had the advantage of working in the fitness industry ( personal trainer) . He joined my Club which by coincidence is the same club Alex Dowsett and Connor Dunne were in as Juniors. In his first year he went from 4th Cat to 1st Cat and in his 2nd year got picked up by a National standard team. He has raced in the National champs road race and still has visions of making a Continental team. He is really training nearly full time though and has access to coaches and some of the best advice. So pick your club carefully and get some pro coaching, spend your money on coaching and power meters, not the bike, it makes a difference. If you get picked up by a half decent team after your first year the bike should be free anyway.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Don't do it! Think of all those miles you'll clock up where you only see the tarmac when you could be taking in the scenery at a leisurely but challenging pace.



Think about all those broken bones and the strict diet regime as well!
+ =

 

[Ian H]

Just get yourself a racing licence and have a go. Once you've done a couple you can think about equipment and how you progress.

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

I started at 41 !

I started at 53 and still harbour visions of me out sprinting Peter Sagan up a hilly finish.

 

[zizou]

You are definitely not too old to start racing - i know guys who were 50+ when they started.

To be a pro though? I suggest setting your sights lower and just start racing.

I dont like being unkind but if you are doing a TT and taking 50 minutes for 11 miles then you are not going to survive the neutralised zone in a race. Unless of course your TT was a hill climb up a mountain then it is more impressive. Even at the lowest level of racing in the UK (4th cat) to be competitive takes a lot of training. And 4th cat is miles off elite category racers, most of whom aren't even pro's. However i dont want to sound too negative, hard work will get you places in cycling and racing can be an exciting and rewarding experience whatever level it is at.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

If you have to ask, you've a very tough road ahead

 

[LewisLondon]

You are definitely not too old to start racing - i know guys who were 50+ when they started.

To be a pro though? I suggest setting your sights lower and just start racing.

I dont like being unkind but if you are doing a TT and taking 50 minutes for 11 miles then you are not going to survive the neutralised zone in a race. Unless of course your TT was a hill climb up a mountain then it is more impressive. Even at the lowest level of racing in the UK (4th cat) to be competitive takes a lot of training. And 4th cat is miles off elite category racers, most of whom aren't even pro's. However i dont want to sound too negative, hard work will get you places in cycling and racing can be an exciting and rewarding experience whatever level it is at.

Really interested as a one day pipe dream, what sort of standard is Cat4?

 

[winjim]

If you have to ask, you've a very tough road ahead

I think the thing that makes elite sportspeople stand out is their competitive nature. They don't ask what's possible, they just go out and do it, whatever it takes. How motivated is the OP?

 

[Ian H]

Cat 4 encompasses everyone from occasional racers to beginners who get shot out of the back of the peloton as soon as the pace goes up. The latter either persevere and improve, or give up.

 

[jamma]

I think the thing that makes elite sportspeople stand out is their competitive nature. They don't ask what's possible, they just go out and do it, whatever it takes. How motivated is the OP?

Very motivated out on the bike every chance i get even if its raining.

 

[Ian H]

Very motivated out on the bike every chance i get even if its raining.

On club runs?

 

[MontyVeda]

As the title of this thread says am i too old to start racing/ becoming semi pro?

I am 22 years old but always wondered that i have left it too late to start to race or attempt it.

Even if i am i do have other adventures waiting like opening up my own bike servicing shop.

What age did @blazed start racing... he's over 22 and there's no stopping him.