How to become a Pro Cyclist

Lobbydosser

As the subject suggests I'm looking for some advice on how to become a Professional cyclist.

I'm thinking of getting my first bike in some years after a holiday abroad. On holiday I hired a pedalo for an hour and found it very enjoyable and actually quite easy. I've obviously got some ability as there was no one else in the sea that could keep up with me and I was hardly out of breath when I got back to the beach.

I appreciate there must be some differences between the pedalo and a bike but the principle must be the same so before I drop some cash on a bike I would appreciate some advice.

Thanks in anticipation.

G

No_Ta_Doctor

Thank you, that's made my day!



On a serious note, buy a mid priced bike, join a local amateur club, ride a few events and re-evaluate your ability and desire at that point. You can always challenge them to a rematch in a pedalo if they thrash you

Gazzaputt

For real?

blazing_saddles

Lobbydosser wrote:

As the subject suggests I'm looking for some advice on how to become a Professional cyclist.
I'm thinking of getting my first bike in some years after a holiday abroad. On holiday I hired a pedalo for an hour and found it very enjoyable and actually quite easy. I've obviously got some ability as there was no one else in the sea that could keep up with me and I was hardly out of breath when I got back to the beach.
I appreciate there must be some differences between the pedalo and a bike but the principle must be the same so before I drop some cash on a bike I would appreciate some advice.

Thanks in anticipation.

G

The main difference is that your pedalo doesn't have loads of gears like a bike. Consequently, they are much harder to climb a hill with.
If you can pedal your pedalo up Alpe d'Huez, please let me know, as I'd like to get some early money down on you, to win next year's Tour.

Tom Butcher

Probably too late to become a pro bike racer - but I think a career as a pro pedaloist is there for the taking.

Matt the Tester

another one in a world of their own??

paulcuthbert

The best place to start would be your local bike store (NOT Halfords!!) and talk to the guys in their about your interest. They'll be able to advise you on the best bike for you according to what you want out of it and what you'll be able to get for your money.

You picked the right time of year anyway- a lot of the 2012 ranges of bikes will be coming in which means last years out of season stuff will be reduced in price

OffTheBackAdam

Obviously with your tallent, you should be building your own bike to start with.
As an aside, myself & an equally evil clubmate, did enter another of our clubmates for the Milk Race, many, many years ago. He was most surprised to get his "entry" and a nice letter back from Phil Liggett.
He wasn't quite so keen to tell us how good he was after that!

speshsteve

A pedalo is a great place to start, I know Lance and AC both came into the sport this way.

Just keep at it, after all that little spanish race goes to Benidorm so I think your onto a winner. Just remember to take all thats offered to you by the team "doctor" and you should be right up there (just don't join a state sponsored team though, they are way more trouble then their worth)

desweller

You may find competing on a bicycle more difficult than a pedalo as they do not have the same natural buoyancy. The regulations regarding the hydrodynamics of pedalos are also much more permissive than those governing the aerodynamics of bicycles. You may wish to reconsider your chosen route to sporting immortality as the bicycle will not be as important a factor in your performance.

HTH.

LeicesterLad

Surely this is a wind up? It is isn't it? Someone tell me it is....Please......

desweller

LeicesterLad wrote:

Surely this is a wind up? It is isn't it? Someone tell me it is....Please......

:roll: What do you think?

pottssteve

I also like to train using a pedalo but there are not many hills for me to ride here in the Netherlands. However, the crosswinds can be brutal and sometimes push me over into the vegetation on the riverbank, so we usually form echelons.

treusi57

If crosswinds are a problem,try a different tack.

mouth

I managed 100rpm on my static exercise bike today. Anyone got Dave Brailsford's number?


Seriously, when I saw the title of the thread, I thought "oh great, a 13 year old kid has a genuine interest in our hobby (ok so it's a sport for some but not me), I hope we can help him because we're all nice like that here" but when I read on I just wanted to cry.

As for the pedalo, was anyone else trying to keep up with you, because the last time I went to the beach, the pedalo people weren't exactly holding any competitions, except for who could get 10 euros from their pocket first. Also, consider that all the other 'riders' may well have had a little drink or two, and that their 5 year old daughter might have been helping.

Twat.

desweller

treusi57 wrote:

If crosswinds are a problem,try a different tack.

Good advice. I like the cut of your jib.

rc856

And remember...a few pounds off you is better than a few pounds off your pedalo and is a cheaper upgrade!

Good luck 8)

Gazzaputt

Think this maybe be a better start for you rather then the cycling

http://www.iprf.co.uk/

No_Ta_Doctor

pottssteve wrote:

I also like to train using a pedalo but there are not many hills for me to ride here in the Netherlands. However, the crosswinds can be brutal and sometimes push me over into the vegetation on the riverbank, so we usually form echelons.

We have the same problem here in Denmark.

Luckily there are quite a few rivermouth currents to train on, though you have to go up to Norway or Sweden for a proper HC current.

airbusboy

Haha Love it!

Lobbydosser

mroli

DesWeller wrote:

treusi57 wrote:

If crosswinds are a problem,try a different tack.

Good advice. I like the cut of your jib.

You could get a 2011 bike for a really good price in the sail. And when you join a pro team - you should make sure you go straight in as a team captain and not as a domestique.

desweller

To be honest, you're better off taking whatever you've got and doing some training in the European hills; that's where the pros sink or swim.

Lobbydosser

Sorry chaps, I was having a wee carry on with you, however I did use a pedalo on holiday and can vouch for the training benefit!!

G

andysol

I quite like the idea of a tour de Park pond with pedalos. I may go for the king of the mountains jersey.
Andy

desweller

andysol wrote:

I quite like the idea of a tour de Park pond with pedalos. I may go for the king of the mountains jersey.
Andy

You'll never get that ratified by the UCI.


















They don't allow recumbents.

schweiz

DesWeller wrote:

andysol wrote:

I quite like the idea of a tour de Park pond with pedalos. I may go for the king of the mountains jersey.
Andy

You'll never get that ratified by the UCI.

They don't allow recumbents.

But it doesn't have to be a recumbent...

http://www.funwatercraft.com/

mouth

It'd make the TdF Prologue very interesting - Dover to Calais.

garnett

Agree about building your own bike - for tips, watch The Flying Scotsman - if you still have the pedalo you can use some of the parts.