Is the age of 42 to late to ride pro

Eden

I figured it was something on those lines. It certainly sounds like if you got yourself a road bike you'd be a pretty strong rider (well I guess I should say you're already a pretty strong rider - on a road bike you'll be a faster strong rider) - the skinnier/slick wheels and lighter weight will make a pretty big difference to you. You certainly don't have to run out and get a $5000 carbon bike to start racing and do well either - any reasonably light, decent (not a wally bike in other words) road bike will start you out fine.

Don't let the youngsters get to you. It's not unusual for the older guys to be very strong - the masters (35+) fields around here often race faster and harder than their equivalent younger ones.

sogood

Just another thought given this forum has a special slant on power training. Why don't you go to one of the gyms and do a test on your Functional Threshold Power (FTP)? And based on the W/kg numbers, you should have an idea of where you stand in the scheme of things. Obviously, those numbers will improve when you get into proper training, but it's a reference and a baseline. There's also a table of W/kg vs Race Category out there somewhere that I can't locate right now. I am sure someone here knows the URL for it.

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Morphed Bianchi Camaleonte IV 2006, Ridley Damocles 2006, Garmin, Mac

jhuskey

Too old to be a top pro for sure but Rasmussen came from MTBing.

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Whenever I can't get excited about riding I just fantasize about someone else's bike.

surfrider

Do they have this at a regular gym, like Gold's gym etc.

sogood

No idea what's "Gold's gym". In any case, get on any exercise bike and play around with the power setting and see what kind of power you can maintain for an hour at a stretch. May not be super accurate but it'll get you into the ball park. If you are going off the scale, then you may well be in for a chance.

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Morphed Bianchi Camaleonte IV 2006, Ridley Damocles 2006, Garmin, Mac

surfrider

Sorry about that. I'm new at this computer forum thing. I keep assuming that everyone on here is in my State. Gold's gum is a giant chain of work out gym's. I believe they're all over the U.S. There are alot here in California. Plenty of exercise bikes. I will go in tomorrow and do what you suggested. Thank's for the info.

janiejones

I think you must have been away the day they taught TACT at school

surfrider

I think I'm going to give this racing thing a try. If anything I'll just end up in better shape. I allways have my good looks to fall back on.

maria007

I guess your as old as you feel, I ride along side some hard as nails oldies that drop the youngesters like they are nothing!

johnnyspt

Riding strength or speed isn't really the issue, I'm sure you would do fine in races. The limiting factor will be much more about your riding efficiency in a pack, recovery from hard efforts, and leg spin smoothness. Technique sort of stuff.

tonyzackery

My mistake, I'll use my kid gloves next time. I mistakenly figured a 42 year old could handle some humor and the truth in the same response. It appears I was wrong .

surfrider

Actually Tony. I am the 42 year old and I did enjoy the humor. That was someone else who replied about the tact thing. This is a blog and in my opinion this is the best place to find other peoples opinions on questions like the one I asked. Either way, I am still going to give this racing thing a try. If I don't succeed, no biggie. Either way, I will end up in even better shape while at the same time maybe I will one-up some youngster.

likes to ride

I am 43 years old and have been riding on the road since I was 21. The very first thing you will realize is that it is a VERY humbling sport. I did not get into racing until I was in my early to mid thirties. It is a fun sport and also rewarding. Nothing beats the feeling and satisfaction of winning a race. Before you set your sights too high, get involved and be prepared to be humbled. Just remember to enjoy it. Good luck and keep us informed.