A Biker Looks At Racing Age 45

I just turned 44 last December which, in the bike racing world, makes me offically 45 all year. I don't really care I guess. But the clock is ticking, if you know what I mean. For sure my best years for racing are behind me but those are years that passed undeveloped.

My wife suggested I ride my comfort bike in an MS charity ride several years ago at age 39 or so. The fun of riding with other enthusiasts covering miles and miles then eating tons and tons was just absolutely my thing. Things moved from comfort bike to road bike to more hours to, finally, racing. Last year was my first full year racing bikes with the Ann Arbor Velo Club in Ann Arbor, MI. I truly fell in love with the sport. My kids led me into it via our junior development team. Because of their age, I rode with their team and was exposed to club coaches and learned more than my kids did. My kids raced so I thought, perhaps, I should too.

Over the Labor Day weekend in 2005 I raced my first catagory 5 race. It was 15 minutes and almost a complete disaster. I like to tell folks that I won the first 4 laps of the 5 lap race. Even though I raced poorly, I still wanted more.

The following season, I dove in trying to make every group ride and getting certified as a USCF level 3 coach. I fumbled my way around trying to figure things out like how to race and train with minor success. Avoiding the crashes in cat 5 is really enough to claim success. I upgraded to cat 4 early on in the season and finished the season as a cat 3 racer. Along the way, a group of us colalesced into a team and raced together through the year. This was the best part of the whole season getting to know these guys and racing together.

Last fall I received USCF level 2 coaching certification and I am now working with several athletes in our club. Additionally, I will be racing with the South Lyon Cycle Racing Team this year working for some younger developing riders.

This blog will follow my year as a beyond middle-aged, over-the-hill bike racer and coach. What does the season hold for me and my athletes? It all lies before us. Come back often and get all the details.