Another new member

You guys have another new member on your hands.

A little about myself:

I'm a 17 year old male and I'm about to start my senior year of high school. After that I will be in the Army with a Special Forces contract, so I'm busy preparing for that.

I've loosely followed cycling through the internet for a few years, but only to track Lance's progress in the Tour de France. This year I was hooked and watched the Tour on TV everday and I want to get some road races in before I graduate and ship off to basic training. I don't even own a bike yet, but I have plenty of money in the bank so I think I'll be purchasing a Trek 5200 and then having it shipped when I arrive at Fort Bragg for Special Forces training.

Alright, enough rambling.

Torn,

In respons to your "SF contract", I'm a retired Navy SEAL and I have done some recruiting. Find yourself an SF operator you can trust and get the straight scoop on boot camp and SF training (it's called "Selection"). DO NOT, I say again DO NOT put your faith in the recruiters.

That said, cycling is a great way to get your cardio-vascular system in shape for Ft Bragg and SF Selection. It will also help the strength in your legs. However, if you don't already, start running long slow distances, swim long slow distances and do exercises such as gut crunchers, push ups (lots) and pull ups/chin ups (both). Stay injury free. Injuries can change it all.

You probably will not have your bike with you at selection or boot camp, but get it after you get your tab. The SF guy you find can tell you about the "tab".

Anyway, get your bike, enjoy the road and welcome to the community.

CycleFrog

Sir:

I have a few active SF guys who are "guiding" me (ie, answering any intelligent questions I present) on the SF forum here: www.socnetcentral.com/vb

I don't trust any recruiters. I have researched SF very thoroughly, including talking to the men who have Been There, Done That.

In regards to cycling, I believe I'll have time for it in Phase 2 of the Q Course, I have a friend going through it right now, but we'll see how that goes. Cycling (and everything else) takes a back seat to the military in my view.

Thank you for your concern, and you may want to check out the SEAL forum on the URL I gave you - lots of active/retired SEALs hanging around...

Sounds like you have the right guidance. That's good to hear. Let me know when you earn your tab and jump wings.

In the mean time, get the bike and put some miles under those tires!

CycleFrog