Is 40 too old??

ilija

That will depend on how much riding have done so far and what shape are you in.
I started to race this year (family and all, now kids are big = more time for me) at 41 and it is BLAST. Mind you I did ride for the last 10 years, but just on my own.
At my 40 birthday I decide it to go in to it more seriously.
1 -Join a local club and ride for a season with them to get comfortable riding in a group
2 - Learn as much about equipment and clothing (what is comfortable for you, which will allow you to put long miles in)
3 - Train in the off season and drop as much weight as you can without big diet.
4 - In training during off season work on your technic (pedaling, position, hardware tweaking and etc.)
5 - Go out and have fun racing. Amount of fun is in direct correlation with the shape you're in, better shape = faster recovery during race = less suffering = more fun.

Your local club will have all the info on racing licence, sched and where to go.

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EoinC

JS, 40 is definitely not too old. I'm 43 and ride my fixed-wheel in the occasional road race (raod races here in Borneo are very, very occasional). Most of my riding (training) is on my own, simply because there are bugger-all people riding here, and even fewer at the times when I can get to ride. I welcome the chance to ride in a bunch whenever it comes along.
Whilst time trials may seem like a good way to get started and provide a gauge to your fitness, I prefer road races for 2 reasons - (a) Road races show you how fast you really can go, whilst improving your bike handling skills and (b) I am (and always have been) a crappy time trialist.
Have a talk to your local bike shop (whoever gives you the best service) about racing and clubs. If there are any races with veteran classes, definitely give them a shot. All the vet's I know are friendly and helpful to newstarters. Whilst they are often very competitive, they tend to have gotten over the delusions of grandeur that many of us had when we were young whippersnappers.
Try it, JS - you'll like it (and, if for some reason you don't like it, no harm done).
Regards,
Eoin

jsirabella

I am sure the rain was not the only reason you finished well. I have found the person who wants to win the most usually does, all else being relatively equal.

I am located in NYC...any ideas of where I can go?

-js

jsirabella

Thank you for the great advice. I need to get into a club and get a coach who is willing to work with someone my age and category. You have given inspiration especially given our similar situations...I have hope.

-js

jsirabella

Never thought of asking my local bike shops...that is a great idea. Once I find a club and coach, I hope they can give me an idea what type of ride but I was already leaning towards roac racing given my style. Everytime I see the TT guys riding, they seem just too pretty and too precise for me. I give them credit though as they can move...

How are the roads where you ride?

-js

EoinC

I'm not sure that you need a coach when you're just starting out. You should find plenty of free advice out there. I'd try going out and racing for a while in order to find out whether your really need a coach and, if you do, what you require from a coach. The people you ride with should be able to give you plenty of information to get started, and observation will get you a large part of how to continue.
"Pretty & Precise", that's even better than my normal excuse for not focusing on TT's (because I'm a crappy TT rider).
The roads where I ride can best be described as manic. It's a lot better over here in Borneo (traffic-wise) than riding in KL, although I miss having a few other people to ride with, along with the skill-enhancing KL pot-hole dodging.

RapDaddyo

Hey There, jsirabella. I just noticed this thread and thought I could add some comments. First and foremost, 40 is absolutely not too old to race, even if you have never raced before. I am 62 and I just completed five races in the last two weeks (3 TTs and 2 RRs). I could care less what someone's age is. I care what his power is and there are some guys my age and older who can really crank out the power. You can race in either of two categories -- Cat5 and Masters. Masters is usually much faster than Cat5, but also safer because some of the Cat5 guys really don't know what they're doing and they do some pretty stupid things. All you need is a USCF license, which you can get online here http://www.usacycling.org/. You're in NYC, so you can train and race with one of the best racing clubs on the planet -- CRCA http://www.crca.net/. I used to race seriously in Boston about 30 years ago and I trained with a 3-time Olympic Road team member. He was a member of CRCA and wouldn't even think of giving up his membership even though they require that you work a minimum number of races each year. All you have to do is go to Central Park any afternoon, rain or shine. There'll be dozens of CRCA members (and others) riding the loop until dark. You can hook up with groups going anywhere from 16-25mph avg speed. They hold races almost every weekend and have multiple teams. There are so many good CRCA members that I don't think you'll need a coach -- I'm guessing there are at least 10 USA Cycling Expert Coaches in the Club alone. You'll learn everything you need to know about riding in a group by riding with the groups in the Central Park loop for a few weeks. Try out all three types of races -- TTs, crits and RRs. You'll quickly figure out which type you like and do well in. Just insure your bike before you enter a large crit. You're very fortunate to be in NYC. Go out and have a blast! Don't worry about being last. The last guy in the race beats the hell out of the guy sitting on his couch. Let us know how you do.

cyclingheroes

I agree, just try to finish...

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RapDaddyo

Here are some other threads here that address NYC racing clubs.

http://www.cyclingforums.com/t264156-.html
http://www.cyclingforums.com/t263400-.html
http://www.cyclingforums.com/t245309-.html

joule

I used to race when I was in college, picked riding back up a year ago at race age 48. Starting training at 170 lbs (5'6") and worked my weight and times down through the winter. Just finished my first race year in 30 years as a cat 5, placing in 4 of my 8 races and always in the lead group at the race end. Am I too old? I think not. Anyway, there are master's races in my area and I expect in yours. Frequently there are 40+ races, 50+ races and sometimes 60+ races. Yeah, it's not my day job and there are always other considerations (work, family) but I find focus in my efforts, and certainly improved my health. The sport is not cheap, but I find some level of pleasure dropping people who ride often and are half my age.

jsirabella

Rapdaddyo,

This is some great info. I do see alot of people doing loops but did not know about this CRCA. I will definitely make it a priority. I really just want to get the thrill of riding a race and see if I can hold up to the rest. I plan on really training hard this fall/winter. At 62 I find your post definitely inspiring. There are guys half your age you can not make one loop around the park.

Thanks for the info and the inspiration...Hope to one day see you in a race.

-js

jsirabella

Hey joule,

It sounds like me and you are in the same situation in alot of ways. Got lots of family and business responsibilities but just want to do it for the fun and thrill. This fall/winter, I will make it a priority to train harder. I hope to race my first race next year and see where I place. Thanks for the info and hope to one day see you in a race.

-js

joule

Train regularly, trying to get at least 8 hours in a week over the winter months. Trainer time is boring but is well worth the effort if you cannot get out. Focus on base miles, that is set a pace just under where you cannot speak without difficulty, through December. Start throwing in a hard day once a week in January and decide your weaknesses and start working on them. Try to get your average speed over a distance in excess of a typical cat 5 race in your area above 19 mph assuming a rolling course (higher avg if flat, a bit less if very hilly). I was training at 18.2 mph over a rolling 40k course this time last year. Over the winter, the trainer time was well worth it as I came out of hibernation doing 19.5 on that same course. Now after a season of racing and one year after picking up and riding again I can average 22.4 over that same 40k course. Next year's focus will now be technique and sprints.

Good luck! I find I enjoy the training as much or more so than the racing.

jsirabella

Thanks for the advice...

Most people seem to focus on RPM in training and not so much the MPH, what do you think?

Also what do you think about weights and the gym? I am about 5' 9", any opinions on how much I should weigh?

With the conditions here I was thinking to go to a cyclocross this time of the year instead of an MTB...what do you think?

-js