Is it too late to try to race road bicycles at age 37? and how do you go about starting up?

Question

Do you have to be on a team? I did find a site for USCF but it did not give much info on how to break into the sport it would appear that you do need to have some sort of official certification and obviously need to locate an event. How good a rider or how fast should I be to expect to at least not be last at every event? And I assume unless you are a professional like Lance Armstrong that there is not much money involved on race day. More of a pride and love of the sport thing? There are no bike shops in my town but I am just south of pittsburgh PA which has shops and events I'm sure. They may be able to point me in the right direction. Anyway any advice would be appreciated.

Answer 1

You win find most of what you will need here.(licence, events etc)

http://www.usacycling.org/road/



A general search on "cycling clubs" and "Pittsburgh" should turn up a few clubs.



The first thing to do is get a racing licence. I would advise joining a club it is not essential though. The friendships that you make and all the tips you pick up make life so much easier.



A young chap of 37 has little to worry about, there are still several top riders getting around at this age. Cycling can be enjoyed almost until they start banging the nails in and throwing the dirt on top.



If you want to be a bit competitive you should be aiming at maintaining speeds above 20 mph (solo). More importantly learn how to ride in a group without being dropped out the back. It doesn't matter how good you are if you can't stay with the main pack you are going to finish well off the pace.



There are lots of different types of bike racing, try as many as you can. (it is all good)



And it doesn't matter if you come in last, everyone starts back there. The important thing is to enjoy what you are doing.



Here are some events in your state.

http://www.usacycling.org/events/index.php?state=PA&race=Road

Answer 2

Check the internet for a state bicycle racing association there is PA. If there is such an organization, they may have a list of races and events. You will have to have a license and start as a Cat. 5 racer. Cat. 5 racers can get one day licenses, however, if you plan on more than a few races, you can get an annual USCF license.



If you are going to race, you will need to ride much more than 30 miles a week. More like 250-200 miles a week to be in shape to be competitive.



Most races have some money prizes, but only for high classes than Cat. 5 Cat. 5's usually race for medals and/or merchandise.

Answer 3

Here's my two cents. I used to race CAT3 back in the early nineties. I did about a hundred races in about three years. I used to train over 200 miles a week. (Training and riding are different.) Age is not that important there are guys in their Fifties and Fourteen year-old kids who race.

You first need to do a reality check. Get out and find a group to ride with. Check with some of the shops in Pittsburgh and ask them where some of the group rides are. The faster the group, the better. You're going to have to see what a race is really like and if you can keep up. You need to train with racers in order to race. Being the fastest rider on a recreational ride won't matter much in a real race. Beating the guy with the Discovery Jersey and the mirror attached to his helmet wont help. You've got to train with guys who race. You've got to go out and get your *** kicked on Sunday. This will do one of two things: Make you try harder and train more so you do better next week, or you'll say "forget this ****" and stick with centuries.

Remember, 30 miles a week won't cut it. I work 50 hours a week and I still find the time to ride at least 150 miles a week. Start training. The season starts in February!

Answer 4

No it's not too late - find a club! Go for it!



You are what the UCI (the wold governing body) categorises as a "Master" [sounds good eh? - above 40 is "Veteran"] and there are annual official world championship for young-at-heart riders (complete with Rainbow Jerseys!) so there is plenty of scope to race.



I know a 60 year old who still rides for a living (Seriously!- and thrashes guys 30 years his junior) but most folk compete for the fun and camaraderie (plus it keeps you fit and you get to see the world). You will always come up against "lifers" who have been doing it since they were kids but there will also be a number of successful guys like you, it just takes a season or two to really 'learn-the-ropes'.



I can't advise you on where to go and how to enter races in the USA (I live in France) but if you can find a local club [you like] it will be a big help. Clubs can start you on the road to knowledge- your clubmates will guide and advise you and show you the best bike shops and how and where to train (probably one of them will own/work in one!). Most clubs have a coach or at least a "wise-head" that can teach you what you need and club runs & "chain-gangs" will give you some speed in your legs.



Hope that helps- Bonne chance! [Good luck!]

Answer 5

Sure, age has little to do with it. At beginning levels you are also classified in age groups as well as competitive level. Club racing caters to all. Yes, many bike shops will be able to provide info in your area.



And no, no money, you will pay to play. But I picked up a lifetimes stock of water bottles at races! Around me lots of guys race in their 40s and the best are FAST.



You don't have to belong to a club but it helps in training and practice for races. At 30 miles a week you will not be in shape for anything but near last place. But the opportunity is there. Give it a try. I didn't start MTB racing until I was your age and did pretty well. Even being at races is too fun.



BTW I did some road riding out by Seven Springs... wow you guys have some hills!!!

Answer 6

well being a cat 5 racer

are you talking in america doing criteriums?

dont forget theres many different types of races

your not even close to to old

infact theres 60 year old men and older then race in masters catagories

check local cities, call municipal buildings and such search for events as much as you can

realise when you do train enough for your first event

your going to suck :D

it happens to everyone

get out stretch eat right get a good ammount of sleep ride hard train hard and rest even harder

as for uscf certifications and such you can usually get a one day race license just to try it out

but really train for it

pick an event for next spring and train untill then

find out how the course is and train so you can do it forever

dont overtrain

let yourself recover and really just have a good time

at 37 your not gonna become a pro and ride le tour

but you can still win some definate money

at the national criterium championships this year the guy who was leading the pro race after halfway won $1000

just for going 50k faster then anyone

thats about 31 miles btw

theres all sorts of little incensitives for doing well other then just feeling good

find some people to ride with and do the best you can

Answer 7

Its tough to think anyone can love biking adequate to get a carbon fiber laptop, then make it sleep external. You would not do this together with your {spouse/female friend/boyfriend/love doll/compliant sheep} might you? After all, you spend extra time within the saddle together with your motorcycle than you potentially might with any hot blooded partner...... Even with a motorcycle quilt, you are going to hasten corrosion considering that of temperature extremes and condensation. Inevitably, it is going to die younger. A shed of a few form might be higher, storage higher nonetheless, however an indoor temperature and humidity managed atmosphere is so much fascinating. Except whilst you are truthfully using, of path. BTW, do you carry it within to mount at the instructor for the wintry weather? Why now not simply preserve it there? Look round your residence. There MUST be a couple of matters much less most important than the motorcycle that might be tossed, bought, or moved external.

Answer 8

Your 37, but life is not over yet. Start by going atleast weekend mornings for 3 mile rides, that should get you started. You have to grease the engine before you can go full speed understand? Dont forget to stretch, at your age you can get a nasty cramp, remember life ends when you die, not at age 37.

Answer 9

Check out http://www.bikereg.com/ for races in your area. See how you do. Then if you do well, you can get a Cat 5 license, then move up until you become a Cat 1.