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Your cycling
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| jack888 |
Posted on 23-12-2012 17:06
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1280
Joined: 09-06-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Ian Butler wrote:
Problem is my constitution is only fit for a climber/hilly rider. I'm 178cm and weight only 55kg. My dad was extremely talented and could've been a great professional rider and I inherited a bit of that talent, unfortunately not all. I've been training for a year and a half now. But I'm thinking if I want to make a chance of it, I'd better act now.
Well it's certainly not impossible. Only one way to find out so I don't see harm in giving it a go. Set yourself long term and short term goals. ie: where you'd like to be in 3 years of hard training.
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 23-12-2012 17:10
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Okay, so it's probably best I make an appointment with the sports clinic first, for all sorts of tests, than I'll be a big step farther, oxygen levels, strength of the heart...
Thanks a lot! |
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 23-12-2012 19:17
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5220
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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Ian Butler wrote:
Okay, so it's probably best I make an appointment with the sports clinic first, for all sorts of tests, than I'll be a big step farther, oxygen levels, strength of the heart...
Thanks a lot!
That's a bit pointless for the expense, with all due respect. It's only going to tell you what you're worth at the time you're there. It doesn't read in the stars or wherever else how good you might potentially be in 1, 5 or 10 years.
The most favourable thing they could tell you would be that you have huge abilities and that your lack of result comes from random problems, which are easier to fix than a lack of potential.
I've had guys like that in my team whose physical tests were equal to the very best of the team, but who got dropped after 5 km or something, than rode at a steady high pace, got lapped and dropped by the peloton every 10 lap or so. They could ride but they couldn't race. That had more to do with psychology...
My advice would be to start racing or riding with racers first, then it'll be time to see if you feel like competing, and to ask yourself seriously if you think you're up for that job and have any chance of ever turning pro.
Oh, and professional cycling is too random to rely on it for a living. Get yourself a proper job/education first. |
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 23-12-2012 19:23
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5220
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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jack888 wrote:
Plenty of great long distance athletes start around that age. Much more "later starters" in ironman triathlon than professional cycling I think.
There was a guy at the olympics riding for the USA track team who apparently only took the sport up recently. But yea, I highly doubt a sprinter could develop from that age, but there'd be a small chance at becoming a good TT'er if the physical ability is there.
Agreed. There's a physiological aspect to it though.
There are two, or three kinds of muscular fibres/twitches : slow (red), intermediate and fast (white).
As people age or the more they practice endurance sports without sprint efforts (or little) their twitches tend to become slow. Or the fast ones become intermediates, whereas the intermediates become slow. |
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| tonymcf |
Posted on 09-01-2013 14:29
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Stagiare
Posts: 215
Joined: 30-11-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Advice needed. I'm looking to get my bike on the road soon. The wheels are Quick Release. Stabilisers don't fit QR wheels, so does anyone know what I have to change the rear wheel to? Thanks for any help. |
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| felix_29 |
Posted on 09-01-2013 14:32
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3054
Joined: 08-08-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Do you have special QRs like this?
https://www.wiggle...ar-skewer/
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| tonymcf |
Posted on 09-01-2013 14:43
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Stagiare
Posts: 215
Joined: 30-11-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Sorry, realised I didn't snap the other side. I hope you can make out the lever here.
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| tonymcf |
Posted on 09-01-2013 17:29
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Stagiare
Posts: 215
Joined: 30-11-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Don't know if this is what I should be looking at
https://www.discou...n_bolt_set |
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| felix_29 |
Posted on 09-01-2013 17:59
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3054
Joined: 08-08-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 16:42
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Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
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| tonymcf |
Posted on 09-01-2013 18:18
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Stagiare
Posts: 215
Joined: 30-11-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Oh right,  The lever is attached to the bike but it's not like that. My trainer just slips around the nuts. |
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| sieve |
Posted on 09-01-2013 18:37
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Free Agent
Posts: 139
Joined: 23-07-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Or is it impossible, too late to make anything of it after reaching age 20, even with some minor talent?
Can you join a local velo club; one that trains for and does amateur races? You should probably start there and work your way up. |
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| Atlantius |
Posted on 09-01-2013 18:51
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Team Leader
Posts: 6795
Joined: 21-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Ian Butler wrote:
Tell me, are there any cyclist in a ProTour or ProContinental Team that only started racing at age 20? With "started racing" I mean racing in peloton, in a team, professional training, full time job. Or is it impossible, too late to make anything of it after reaching age 20, even with some minor talent?
Well I believe Nicki Sørensen was 22 when he signed his first contract and didn't start cycling before he was 19.
He had been running before though, so he wasn't completely untrained.
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| tonymcf |
Posted on 09-01-2013 18:58
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Stagiare
Posts: 215
Joined: 30-11-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Scratch my earlier posts. This might be what I'm looking for
https://www.goodde...isers.html
Not ideal but if it allows me to cycle outdoors then I'll take it |
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| felix_29 |
Posted on 09-01-2013 19:08
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3054
Joined: 08-08-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Sorry, totally misunderstood your post. 
Seems you found what you were searching for, though.
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 11-01-2013 23:02
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5220
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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I saw a couple of weeks ago that Sigma are going to release new bike computers that'll indicate power output.
That looks interesting, but the price is extremely cheap (about 130 €) for what it is or appears to be. For example, a SRM system costs about 4 000 € (that's two or three times the price of my whole bike).
So, I've been trying to figure out how that works and what kind of accuracy such a tool may have, but I must say I've been unable to find proper answers. Of course it measures speed, and also RPM, but that's not enough to come up with a Watts figure.
Anyone's got a clue ?
Edited by Aquarius on 11-01-2013 23:03
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| felix_29 |
Posted on 11-01-2013 23:11
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3054
Joined: 08-08-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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It's explained in the user manual:
www.sigmasport.co...
PS: SRM system already start at "cheap" 2500€.
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 11-01-2013 23:18
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5220
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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Thanks, found it.
user manual wrote :
The ROX 9.1 is equipped with a new function:
The PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT.
The calculation of performance is based on a formula lodged within the ROX 9.1.
Here the calculated performance is the power that is needed to move the bike, not the power acting on the pedals.
To evaluate performance, several values have to be entered in the ROX 9.1: Weight of the bike and the cyclist, bike type and position of the cyclist on the bike, cyclist’s height and shoulder width.
The performance values shown are approximate figures and are calculated
assuming an average wind speed and average road quality.
The performance is calculated precisely on a slope, whereas average values are used
for calculation on a level route.
Mmm, not sure if it's worth the buy, although I had guessed it'd be something like that.
I can't reasonably afford a SRM though, especially for my level it'd be ridiculous.
Edited by Aquarius on 11-01-2013 23:19
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| felix_29 |
Posted on 11-01-2013 23:39
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3054
Joined: 08-08-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Good power measurement systems are always pricey, the cheapest one i know is 840€. If you need a new computer anyway, the Rox is a good choice with many features.
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| Ste117 |
Posted on 13-01-2013 17:14
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3684
Joined: 21-02-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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I started cycling at 16, but before then I was always good at cross country running and athletics.
At the age of 21 I have finally got the motivation to train at least 10 hours a week plus working full time in a factory, not easy and very tiring, either in the gym or on the bike. I also finally have the determination too, shame it has taken me 4 years.
Im close to hitting high fitness again after weeks of training in the gym with a mixture of running, cross trainer, bike and weights. Got my club training weekend in Wales at the end of the next month, if I can keep training the way I am, I will be in peak climbing condition ready for it for the first time in oer 2 years! 
MG Team manager Team Ticos Air Costa Rica
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| tonymcf |
Posted on 13-01-2013 19:26
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Stagiare
Posts: 215
Joined: 30-11-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Tandem cycling for the first time in 2013, A slog going on the cycle path in the direction of Letterkenny, headwind coming off the river Foyle so it took us ages to reach the point where we turn around. Faster on the way back obviously but my feet kept coming off the pedals and I banged my right knee on the handlebars on a number of occasions (not much leg room). It's bruised but nothing to cry about. |
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