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Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist?
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 2009-07-31 5:08 PM |
Master 2460   |  Subject: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist?I'm a pretty serious runner by nature. I'm terrible at swimming, so I spend over half my weekly training hours doing it. Cycling, however, is scenic, fun, and fast. Plus, it's great to get out on a loose group ride to hammer out some hills with capable buddies on the mountains. I'm nearly as fast cycling as I am on the run if you go by race placements in tris. I don't intend on giving up tris anytime soon, but on mile 70 of an 85mile ride through the mountains last week, I wondered, "why don't I just become a pure cyclist?" I'm good at it, it's really fun, and feels like scenic vacation when I'm riding, even when I'm hammering it. I admit that I never really felt this way about running, even though that's my strength, and I used to run high mileage. Just curious if this happens to lots of folks at some point, or if it's just me. |
| 2009-07-31 5:10 PM in reply to: #2320488 |
Veteran 242 New York, New York | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? I know some pure cyclists who retired from triathlon once they feel they "got to be too old" or their "knees went out." :-) dbw27 |
| 2009-07-31 5:11 PM in reply to: #2320488 |
| Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? There was a really fast elite level junior triathlete here, Corey, was winning his AG at wildflower by 10s of minutes, switched to pure bike racing.. |
| 2009-07-31 5:21 PM in reply to: #2320496 |
Champion 6627   Rochester Hills, Michigan Gold member | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? ChrisM - 2009-07-31 6:11 PM There was a really fast elite level junior triathlete here, Corey, was winning his AG at wildflower by 10s of minutes, switched to pure bike racing.. Corey's a rockstar. I stay in touch. http://roadcycling.loopd.com/Members/CoreyFarrell/Default.aspx From a pro perspective, must underestimate how how hard it is to make a living at cycling. It's expensive, travel is brutal, and the competition is out-of-control. I've thought about just being a recreational cyclist, as that's what I'm best at. I could be good if I focused. But I don't like what it does to my bod...you end up with big legs and a rediculously skinny upper body, and pretty specialized. Plus, in crits, you're paying for your own wrecked equipme nt. I'd rather be a mediocre general athlete than a one-trick funky-lookin pony with a big credit card bill. That's why I didn't go that route. |
| 2009-07-31 5:21 PM in reply to: #2320488 |
Master 1472 | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? A relative unknown was once upon a time winning junior national triathlons and switched to purely a cyclist and went on to win 7 Tour de France. |
| 2009-07-31 5:55 PM in reply to: #2320488 |
Pro 4578 Vancouver, BC | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? Yeah, I just bike race now and I swim for fun. I never reallly enjoyed the running, and I like crits. Crazy me. I've also gotten into track racing, so road & track events for me. So far, I've been lucky and haven't had a crash that has costed me any money. From a cost perspective, it's actually been cheaper than tri so far. There are (training) races at least twice a week that are only $5 to enter. |
| 2009-07-31 6:05 PM in reply to: #2320549 |
Master 1472 | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? jeng - 2009-07-31 3:55 PM Yeah, I just bike race now and I swim for fun. I never reallly enjoyed the running, and I like crits. Crazy me. I've also gotten into track racing, so road & track events for me. So far, I've been lucky and haven't had a crash that has costed me any money. From a cost perspective, it's actually been cheaper than tri so far. There are (training) races at least twice a week that are only $5 to enter.
Yep. This post made me look into local bike races. About $13 (plus $10 for a 1 day USAC license). Way cheaper than the average $75 tri. |
| 2009-08-01 9:30 AM in reply to: #2320488 |
Master 2491 | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? I could see cycling exclusively if an injury prevented one of the other disciplines. For now, I like triathlons. |
| 2009-08-01 9:54 AM in reply to: #2320488 |
Master 2426 Central Indiana | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? I had been pure cyclist (inc. some MOP MTB club racing) past several years, but last Fall began to think about getting my middle-aged bod into more all-around condition. Amazed at how cycling fitness does NOT directly translate into swim or run (at least for me). Started swimming & running regularly last winter. Done 2 sprints so far this year & signed up for 1st Oly this month. NO intention to go back to pure cycling!!! |
| 2009-08-01 10:14 AM in reply to: #2321191 |
Master 1651 Breckenridge, CO | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? Oldteen - 2009-08-01 8:54 AM Amazed at how cycling fitness does NOT directly translate into swim or run (at least for me). Same here. I was a very good cyclist when I was younger and a pretty good runner. Swim is easy for me bc I was competitive starting at age 5. With absolutely no swim training for 15 years I was able to hold a 1:33/100y pace for 300 yards at 9600' altitude. My last go at endurance sports ended with a bad bike crash that took me two years to recover from. I really never ran again but I cycled recreationally and was very active (mostly skiing/hiking/climbing) over about 15 years. When I returned to serious S/B/R training my bike came back to a decent level quickly but my run was like starting from scratch at literally 12 minute miles. It's also been VERY slow to improve too. To answer the OP, at my first go at triathlon my time trial ability on the bike got to the point where I was under pressure to move into pure cycling but then crashed. Now as an old guy, I do see myself moving into AG type cycling once I accomplish a couple goals I have in Triathlon. Cycling is by far my best sport and I love it far more than S/R. I'm anxious to see what level I can get to now as an old person compared to my prime. My health is actually better now and I live in cycling paradise. |
| 2009-08-01 10:54 AM in reply to: #2320488 |
Extreme Veteran 386 West Hartford, CT | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? I used to be a pure cyclist, and still love biking, but honestly around mid-way through every season I would start getting sick of it. Biking day after day gets a bit old, even though I love it. Now in my first season of tris I can honestly say that I am much happier and have better all-around fitness. The variety of training has kept me from hitting my traditional mid-season slump, and I can't imagine myself going back to 100% cycling again. Not to mention that the atmosphere at triathlons is a lot more fun than at a bike race, and the participants are MUCH friendlier!  Edited by cthoops 2009-08-01 10:56 AM |
 2009-08-01 11:38 AM in reply to: #2320488 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2009-08-01 11:17 PM in reply to: #2321303 |
| Master 1651 Breckenridge, CO | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? kmill23 - 2009-08-01 10:38 AM I have been just riding for about the past 2 or 3 months,... I really enjoy the group riding with people that can actually ride in a group... Surely you're kidding. |
| 2009-08-01 11:52 PM in reply to: #2321954 |
| Expert 658 | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? breckview - 2009-08-02 6:17 PM kmill23 - 2009-08-01 10:38 AM I have been just riding for about the past 2 or 3 months,... I really enjoy the group riding with people that can actually ride in a group... Surely you're kidding. Why would he be? The only times I've crashed in bunch rides is with other triathletes who don't bother to tell you that they are braking or point out pot holes. And don't get me started on those stupid triathletes that draft while in aero!?! |
| 2009-08-02 1:19 PM in reply to: #2321966 |
| Master 1651 Breckenridge, CO | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? supa-powa - 2009-08-01 10:52 PM breckview - 2009-08-02 6:17 PM kmill23 - 2009-08-01 10:38 AM I have been just riding for about the past 2 or 3 months,... I really enjoy the group riding with people that can actually ride in a group... Surely you're kidding. Why would he be? The only times I've crashed in bunch rides is with other triathletes who don't bother to tell you that they are braking or point out pot holes. And don't get me started on those stupid triathletes that draft while in aero!?! Let's see, where to start... Most obviously, if you're riding in a pack wouldn't it make sense for you to ascertain the skills of those around you considering that your safety depends upon it. Next, if you think that "roadies" are any better bike riders than triathletes, then come ride a century in Colorado some day. You'll see zero tri bikes and many, many, many, many inexperienced/unskilled riders doing crazy stupid things. It's easy to blame poor skills on the type of bike one rides especially if you're trying to portray yourself as superior. I'll stop with this: Any skill that can be learned in "2 or 3 months" to a level where you feel you can belittle others, ain't much of a skill. Edited by breckview 2009-08-02 1:20 PM |
| 2009-08-02 2:56 PM in reply to: #2320488 |
| Expert 684 Portland, Oregon | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? If you're interested in cycling, and endurance, with a little site-seeing and self-sufficiency thrown in for good measure but not necessarily the baggage that comes with competitive cycling you should check out Randonneuring - http://www.rusa.org/, some of the more infamous rides are listed here -http://www.rusa.org/1200kms.html as well as the piece de resistance ride the PBP http://www.rusa.org/pbp.html |
| 2009-08-02 5:32 PM in reply to: #2320488 |
| Pro 5011 Twin Cities | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? When I end up with the knee replacement, I will switch over for good, I'm sure. I don't enjoy it as much as running, but I am naturally better at it anyway. |
| 2009-08-02 8:22 PM in reply to: #2320488 |
| Elite 3022 Preferably on my bike somewhere | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? Since my ankle and knee injuries, I'm pretty much a pure cyclist. Maybe some day I'll do something else. |
| 2009-08-02 8:53 PM in reply to: #2320488 |
| Subject: ... This user's post has been ignored. |
| 2009-08-02 9:11 PM in reply to: #2320488 |
| Champion 4835 Eat Cheese or Die | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? I was a pure cyclist prior to being a triathlete. I don't know that I'd ever go back completely, I really love the overall fitness, and doing the actual races. But if I had access to better mountain biking I would ride on the road very infrequently and would look to do more off road triathlons. Now, if I had access to lift served mountain biking, and downhill racing, I might not be doing triathlon anymore. |
| 2009-08-03 6:16 AM in reply to: #2320488 |
| Master 1603 Connecticut | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? I am a pure cyclist these days. Last year, I gave up running and swimming during most of my training/race season. I enjoy running and I was decent enough to be AG competitive at 5k-5mile running races, with running 3 months of the year. However, I really love cycling. Road bike racing is very different than tris. There is a dynamic tension between cooperation and competition that is inherent in bike racing. Each race unfolds like a story. It fascinates me. I love the training too. I just enjoy being out on my bike. I do most of my training solo, but the cycling community is a big network and I have met a huge number of good people. I've been doing a little track racing of late, which has been great fun and a nice mental break from road racing. |
| 2009-08-03 6:19 AM in reply to: #2320488 |
| Pro 5892 , New Hampshire | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? Did Duathlons for a few years and then moved to a country where Du's are almost non-existent, so for the last 3 years, I've been road racing only. Still run for fun though... and have every intention of get back into Du's when we move again. Cycling only is great training and will definately pay off in the future... my running hasn't suffered nearly as much as I expected. |
| 2009-08-03 8:38 AM in reply to: #2320488 |
| Extreme Veteran 562 | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? I'm not sure how "pure" I am, but I'm definitely doing more riding than anything else. Witness my training log from last month:
My story's similar to others in this thread: I'm a better cyclist than a runner or swimmer, the cycling's MUCH more competitive than triathlon, and I just enjoy riding a ton. I'm actually going to be off the bike for much of this month while I'm in Kuwait, and I'm wondering just how insane it's going to drive me. | |
| 2009-08-03 8:56 AM in reply to: #2320488 |
| New user 16 Toledo, OH | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? Who says that you have to "be" anything. Just do what you love. Very few out there actually get paid to do this. Most of us enjoy the hard work, friendships and competition. Then there is the old saying "it's cheaper than therapy". I raced my bike competitively for a number of years. There was a point that the same races against the same people became a little boring. At that point, I found a passion for endurance mountain biking and cyclocross. Lately I tried my had at triathon. It might be a little ADHD but it's what keeps me happy and motivated. It' not right or wrong. |
| 2009-08-03 9:27 AM in reply to: #2323602 |
| Master 1651 Breckenridge, CO | Subject: RE: Who amongst you consider becoming a pure cyclist? brex - 2009-08-03 7:56 AM Who says that you have to "be" anything. Just do what you love. Very few out there actually get paid to do this. Most of us enjoy the hard work, friendships and competition. Then there is the old saying "it's cheaper than therapy". I raced my bike competitively for a number of years. There was a point that the same races against the same people became a little boring. At that point, I found a passion for endurance mountain biking and cyclocross. Lately I tried my had at triathon. It might be a little ADHD but it's what keeps me happy and motivated. It' not right or wrong. Nice post. I couldn't agree more. I took the "pure cyclist" part to mean the type of races in which one participates. I'll always be a cyclist, skier, hiker, and climber. Run/swim probably not "forever" just because I don't enjoy it as much as the other activities. (If I had an outdoor pool it would help A LOT). Edited by breckview 2009-08-03 9:29 AM |
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