After 2 years riding as Cat 1 (with at first none then recently moderate success) I have been surprised to hear from a local composite club squad that they are forming an elite amateur team for next season to ride a full program of classics, stage races and crits next year in Holland, Belgium and France. They asked me to ride for them, and the coach said he says I have the potential to ride at that level if I took it seriously enough.
I'd love to accept but I have concerns about work and money etc. Since June I work 50 hrs a week and have therefore lost some endurance and stuck to crits. It has become increasingly difficult to ride at 1 level and work that amount with the stress and pressure. In the evening it's often hard to go out and train, as it means no free time at all. On the weekend I feel really tired to ride 2 crits. Adding a long term girlfriend to that mix has also been tough all round.
there is no way I could work full time (not for an American run company anyway) and ride for an elite team, so I would have to look at part time work as an option. Income would suffer, but I would hope to be able to stay afloat, with a major change in lifestyle.
On the positive side I feel I will probably have to work in an office until I'm 65, and might only get one chance to ride in the elites.....especially as I am now 28. The doubts in my mind center around money, status etc....which depresses me.
Has anyone else ever faced this choice? how did it go? regrets? If you haven't had this opportunity but could imagine you did - what would you do?
I'd love to accept but I have concerns about work and money etc. Since June I work 50 hrs a week and have therefore lost some endurance and stuck to crits. It has become increasingly difficult to ride at 1 level and work that amount with the stress and pressure. In the evening it's often hard to go out and train, as it means no free time at all. On the weekend I feel really tired to ride 2 crits. Adding a long term girlfriend to that mix has also been tough all round.
there is no way I could work full time (not for an American run company anyway) and ride for an elite team, so I would have to look at part time work as an option. Income would suffer, but I would hope to be able to stay afloat, with a major change in lifestyle.
On the positive side I feel I will probably have to work in an office until I'm 65, and might only get one chance to ride in the elites.....especially as I am now 28. The doubts in my mind center around money, status etc....which depresses me.
Has anyone else ever faced this choice? how did it go? regrets? If you haven't had this opportunity but could imagine you did - what would you do?