2 things:

[swoop]

1) i am officially no longer a bike racer. no more training, racing, or sponsors. time to stop. bikin' for fun and sun only.

2) word is that cipollini is signing (yes racing) for team rock. last i heard they're still throwing money at horner and he still isn't confirmed.

[Louis]

1) i am officially no longer a bike racer. no more training, racing, or sponsors. time to stop. bikin' for fun and sun only.

WADA getting a bit too close for comfort? :p

[Fat Robert]

no more racing

but

swoop keep a rollin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLQ2FtFdXIo&mode=related&search=)

[swoop]

masters out here is so freaking hard and deep. it just takes too much work (for me) to be in it. i miss life!

i'm 43 and i wear a size small.. its too hard! bring on medium!

how's this for an idea? for dudes that maybe are new to bikin and also needing some headshrinkage but are afraid of therapy.... maybe some light talk therapy on the bike.... convey some cycling (very)basics and some talking to help treat dysthymia....
thinking that would be more fun than getting flogged by 30 year old cat 1's and thurlow types.

you know... wear some Rapha and try to smell good.

[Smiley]

[QUOTE=swoop]1) i am officially no longer a bike racer. no more training, racing, or sponsors. time to stop. bikin' for fun and sun only.

This ofcourse sets you up for many comebacks that make for a better story down the road :)

Think Roberto Duran, Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons, and Roger Clements :)

[Ginger]

how's this for an idea? for dudes that maybe are new to bikin and also needing some headshrinkage but are afraid of therapy.... maybe some light talk therapy on the bike.... convey some cycling (very)basics and some talking to help treat dysthymia....


you know... wear some Rapha and try to smell good.

Wouldn't that describe the job of "coach?"

:D

[old_school]

i am officially no longer a bike racer. no more training, racing, or sponsors. time to stop. bikin' for fun and sun only.

the pursuit of pleasure; a cessation in SI - you are obviously making progress in your therapy - congratulations Swoop!

[93legendti]

masters out here is so freaking hard and deep. it just takes too much work (for me) to be in it. i miss life!

i'm 43 and i wear a size small.. its too hard! bring on medium!

how's this for an idea? for dudes that maybe are new to bikin and also needing some headshrinkage but are afraid of therapy.... maybe some light talk therapy on the bike.... convey some cycling (very)basics and some talking to help treat dysthymia....
thinking that would be more fun than getting flogged by 30 year old cat 1's and thurlow types.

you know... wear some Rapha and try to smell good.

The Fraser Crane Train to Well Being?

It was a Wings episode. :)

[Fixed]

bro you are possed to stop this time of year .take it from me mr pack fodder
the big cats need us .
cheers :beer: imho

[SoCalSteve]

masters out here is so freaking hard and deep. it just takes too much work (for me) to be in it. i miss life!

i'm 43 and i wear a size small.. its too hard! bring on medium!

how's this for an idea? for dudes that maybe are new to bikin and also needing some headshrinkage but are afraid of therapy.... maybe some light talk therapy on the bike.... convey some cycling (very)basics and some talking to help treat dysthymia.... thinking that would be more fun than getting flogged by 30 year old cat 1's and thurlow types.

you know... wear some Rapha and try to smell good.

You could get my wife involved and use the resources of her non-profit mental health clinic...She loves therapy, her non-profit and cycling...

Sounds like a match!

Steve

[swoop]

cipo racing for rock... isn't that crazy!?

[Steve Hampsten]

1) i am officially no longer a bike racer. no more training, racing, or sponsors. time to stop. bikin' for fun and sun only.

2) word is that cipollini is signing (yes racing) for team rock. last i heard they're still throwing money at horner and he still isn't confirmed.


cipo = yawn - sorry

but this:

"Cycling Lifestyle Consultancies

A traditional bike shop can only offer so many bicycle models and so much personal attention. Even the most service-oriented shop only has a limited number of models and accessories to choose from, and their overhead is so high and their margins so thin that sooner or later they have to move on to the next customer. Enter the Cycling Lifestyle Consultant. Part coach, part therapist, part interior decorator, your personal CLC will commute with you, train with you, and recreate with you until he or she has determined the exact bicycle that your lifestyle demands. You’ve heard of the bicycle that “disapears beneath you;” well, this bike will integrate itself so seamlessly into your life you’ll forget it’s even there. Your CLC can even accompany you to group rides, races, and alleycats and show you the ropes so you can avoid those pesky learning curves. What's more antiquated than paying your dues? Pay a CLC instead!"

are you in?

certification available, obviously

[swoop]

steve... get out of my head, man. i can feel you in there reading my little mind.

"pedal this way... stop bobbing up and down like an idiot, oh... get this nice kjaerholm chair for 10% off at dwr, and yeah... i think your mom does hate you. oh woopsie, time is up... you don't know the way home? really? well, i think you're feigning helplessness because you've been castrated by marketing in bike mags."

[Steve Hampsten]

it's why we charge retail, innit?

[saab2000]

You'll be officially not a bike racer for about a week. Don't kid us or yourself.

If anyone can do it, Cipollini can. He still looks fit and fast. On the domestic circuit he could clean up. For fun.

[stevep]

ok swoop,
sit right here on the couch.
how many times have you quit bike racing ( this year, not lifetime )
6? ok

you aspire to be a medium jersey?
you know how bad thurlow will smack yr arse when you get to medium?

you asked me to send you a high rise stem and some anatomic bars?
you sure?

ride for fun. its better

[Ray]

Now that you're not racing, I think you're ready to be fitted for your first mirror!

Seriously, enjoy the newfound freedom from structure. Have fun!

-Ray

[Kevan]

for your first slow bike.

[theprep]

You know what racing needs?

How about a Masters 35+ for guys that train less than 10 hours a week.

I am a little sour now after getting pulled from a crit on Saturday.

[don'TreadOnMe]

Someone is getting pulled to the dark side.
Extra large water bottles?

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!

[SWorks4me]

You were a bike racer?!

[Spicoli]

You know what racing needs?

How about a Masters 35+ for guys that train less than 10 hours a week.

I am a little sour now after getting pulled from a crit on Saturday.
You did not get pulled, you got sixth in a break of cat 1's and 2's that could pedal and talk while you were pegged at your threshold tryin to just survive the break!

"Still believin in the wattwheel, Bro!"....FYI did'nt almost all the field get pulled?

[theprep]

I am convinced I can benefit from a power meter. I just need the coin now to pay for it.

On the other hand; won't a new Dura Ace Carbon crank make me even faster?

[Fixed]

You know what racing needs?

How about a Masters 35+ for guys that train less than 10 hours a week.

I am a little sour now after getting pulled from a crit on Saturday.

bro I have been in races where they have a.b. a=1 ,2 ,3 b =4 ,5
bro I 've been pulled before too... now I just get out if things are goin bad .
8 corners crit in under a mile you gotta go out fast to be in front or it's bye.bye .
cheers imho

[cpg]

cipo = yawn - sorry

but this:

"Cycling Lifestyle Consultancies

A traditional bike shop can only offer so many bicycle models and so much personal attention. Even the most service-oriented shop only has a limited number of models and accessories to choose from, and their overhead is so high and their margins so thin that sooner or later they have to move on to the next customer. Enter the Cycling Lifestyle Consultant. Part coach, part therapist, part interior decorator, your personal CLC will commute with you, train with you, and recreate with you until he or she has determined the exact bicycle that your lifestyle demands. You’ve heard of the bicycle that “disapears beneath you;” well, this bike will integrate itself so seamlessly into your life you’ll forget it’s even there. Your CLC can even accompany you to group rides, races, and alleycats and show you the ropes so you can avoid those pesky learning curves. What's more antiquated than paying your dues? Pay a CLC instead!"

are you in?



certification available, obviously

Throw in a laser measurement system and you've got a shingle. Bwaaa...

Curt

[davids]

Welcome to the vast middle of life. It's not a bad place to be, really. You can relax...just a bit.

Aspire to Medium, eschew Large, atmo.

[swoop]

.

[Len J]

.

good for you.

What are you going to fill the void with?

Cold turkey is tough...........

Len

[swoop]

for me.. just to be competitive meant training 16 to 20 hours a week. it just takes too much... and so its not a matter of filling up the empty time... its just not worrying about eating or missing training or going out of a zone.

i ride every day because it makes me happy.... i like to feel fit... but i can't let it matter... i don't want to think about it.

my closest friend is a 40 y/o cat1 who's son just got diagnosed with some stuff that's gonna make life hard for his family... and part of this is sort of being a good friend a leading the way for him out of cycling... kind of modeling for him a way back to deal with all the stuff can avoid when you get caught up in this inane stuff... its like.. look dude, here's a way out.. i'm doing it.
the other is i don't want to become a 2... and so there is no forward to go to... i don't want to deal with team mates or what happens if i wear another shop's kit.... its incestuous here.
i still want to crush... but sans finish line. i don't want it to matter. just to be inthe mix outhere i have to train like its my whole life.... and that just isn't where i need to be.

i don't want it to matter... i'd rather use it to re-inspire myself than to need inspiration to do it. stuff like that. i was already a 20 something... 20 years ago!

keeping weekday rides to less than two hours.... no gym. no hunger. no endless fatigue and no calling myself a biker.

i was riding with john brady the other day... he used to race for a team called 7eleven.. he's around my age... he said something that made me wake up. i can't even remember what it was.. i just remember a little awakening.... maybe it was gas.

[e-RICHIE]

i was riding with john brady the other day... he used to race for a team called 7eleven.. he's around my age... he said something that made me wake up. i can't even remember what it was...
atmo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHPOzQzk9Qo)?

[Len J]

for me.. just to be competitive meant training 16 to 20 hours a week. it just takes too much... and so its not a matter of filling up the empty time... its just not worrying about eating or missing training or going out of a zone.

i ride every day because it makes me happy.... i like to feel fit... but i can't let it matter... i don't want to think about it.

my closest friend is a 40 y/o cat1 who's son just got diagnosed with some stuff that's gonna make life hard for his family... and part of this is sort of being a good friend a leading the way for him out of cycling... kind of modeling for him a way back to deal with all the stuff can avoid when you get caught up in this inane stuff... its like.. look dude, here's a way out.. i'm doing it.
the other is i don't want to become a 2... and so there is no forward to go to... i don't want to deal with team mates or what happens if i wear another shop's kit.... its incestuous here.
i still want to crush... but sans finish line. i don't want it to matter. just to be inthe mix outhere i have to train like its my whole life.... and that just isn't where i need to be.

i don't want it to matter... i'd rather use it to re-inspire myself than to need inspiration to do it. stiff like that. i was already a 20 something... 20 years ago!

keeping weekday rides to less than two hours.... no gym. no hunger. no endless fatigue and no calling myself a biker.

i was riding with john brady the other day... he used to race for a team called 7eleven.. he's around my age... he said something that made me wake up. i can't even remember what it was.. i just remember a little awakening.... maybe it was gas.

is gonna have to go somewhere.

Good on you for "awakening"........

After some rest & recovery, the itch will hit.......It will be interesting to see where the energy goes.

Wishing you well.

len

[swoop]

theres always porn.
(len, this comes after easing up for a month and then just one week of base training. i started having little breakdowns over it last year). its silly... you find something and hold onto it too much and it was never anything anyway... it just means more time on sundays.... and riding from a more 'happy' place. if there is an opening hopefully it will fill up with something less selfish!

[barry1021]

theres always porn.

you mean bike porn. :rolleyes:

b21

[Len J]

theres always porn.
(len, this comes after easing up for a month and then just one week of base training. i started having little breakdowns over it last year). its silly... you find something and hold onto it too much and it was never anything anyway... it just means more time on sundays.... and riding from a more 'happy' place.

I know.

But we're all human...huh? (the holding on part.)

It will be cool to see what opens up for you.

Len

[Fixed]

bro swoop most cats come this sooner or latter .
there is a life and it can have cycling in it too
but life is not only cycling
imho go get some blond stuff imho
cheers and have fun bro you've worked hard your whole life you deserve it
bro this forum is a better place with you ..imho

[musgravecycles]

its silly... you find something and hold onto it too much and it was never anything anyway... it just means more time on sundays.... and riding from a more 'happy' place. if there is an opening hopefully it will fill up with something less selfish!

This is exactly where I was a couple of years ago, about the time my daughter was born (which itself put some things into perspective for me).

Now a couple of years later it's coming back, once it's in your blood it's awfully hard to let go of...

[Cary Ford]

So... Simi on Saturday, Noel?

[stevep]

six months from now swoop will be all over the fender and the 650b threads...
watch for it.

[Cary Ford]

I just saw him tear by on a swobo single speed wearing capri corduroy pants and a wool tunic. He yelled out something about being late to a seminar at the co-op, something about vegan home brew techniques...

[Fixed]

I just saw him tear by on a swobo single speed wearing capri corduroy pants and a wool tunic. He yelled out something about being late to a seminar at the co-op, something about vegan home brew techniques...
bro he's turned into me
oh no

cheers imho

[Spicoli]

With my obsesive personality, if I did not ride or surf or whatever? My energy would probably go towards evil! What that means is riding is staying healthy and thats my vice. If I did not do that i would go big another way and that would probably mean having the biggest drunkest keg and big sandwhich parties every Sunday during football season because the energy has to go somewhere? What is the point of my ramble.........your gonna have to do something, might aswell make it cycling and not some other bad vice, be careful?

FYI; I was about to upgrade to a cat 2 a bunch of years ago and got clipped by a car which broke my arm. That got me pretty sour and I never sent in the upgrade stuff. Let me tell you its the best thing I ever never did! Who was I kidding bro, cat 3 is the way! I was kidding myself, 1-2's they train way more than I ever could, most are tryyin to be something? I have to go to work on Monday so my wife and 4 kids would be pissed, so crashing is no option and argy bargy is more fun to watch than do! Stay a 3 cut your races in half and pick and choose your masters events and start to enjoy racing again. Also on the occasion you do go up against someone of a higher cat....its so much more fun if your the 3 that clipped them as opposed to being the target that got beat by the lowly cat 3? ride, race have fun.....screw it and take nothing in life too seriously!

Chillaxin mid pack........Jeff :cool:

[SWorks4me]

I call total BS...

If you truly had an awakening...you would would just walk away without drawing attention to yourself.

Just take a break...and the reevaluate.

[fstrthnu]

My guess: When you get fat, you will stop "riding" and start "training".

BTW: Cipo is Re Lion. Respect. But domestic racing is a tad bit more difficult than it was 10 years ago.

[swoop]

My guess: When you get fat, you will stop "riding" and start "training".

BTW: Cipo is Re Lion. Respect. But domestic racing is a tad bit more difficult than it was 10 years ago.

i hope he didn't confuse that industry cup parking lot thing for what its gonna be like... but you know, mr ball is willing to spend....
it is beyond me... but its what i heard.

[swoop]

I call total BS...

If you truly had an awakening...you would would just walk away without drawing attention to yourself.

Just take a break...and the reevaluate.

you don't know me. i work alone.. no office chatter but this here.

the last four years have been driven by training schedules and multi-race weekends and recovery. insanity. it got so big on me. and so maybe some folks that read this are going through the same thing?

funnily its been a huge stressor and source of anxiety and at the same time watching a friend go through it with his kids and wife... well, i can't hold him to one standard of plugging in and also not myself.

so, yeah this is silly.. but its also strangely large. enough to rant about it publicly.

you're not even on my radar.... if you'd like to be... come out for a ride and we can talk about it.

[swoop]

So... Simi on Saturday, Noel?

hell yeah.. no more zones. um.. but i know youre gonna kill it on the ride and then it will be three months to get you out again. so how about some long slow days first? they go full gas on seven minute hill ..even this early on.

are there hotels out there for you for when you get mesmorized again?

[SWorks4me]

you don't know me. i'm a single guy and have no family. the bike racing was a huge shelter to get involved in after i finshed my doc... and knowing its time to step out is actually a big deal. its not about the biking its about the shelter and posting it where i hang with a bunch of friends makes total sense to me.

the last four years have been driven by training schedules and multi-race weekends and recovery. insanity. it got so big on me. and so maybe some folks that read this are going through the same thing?

funnily its been a huge stressor and source of anxiety and at the same time watching a friend go through it with his kids and wife... well, i can't hold him to one standard of plugging in and also not myself.

so, yeah this is silly.. but its also strangely large. enough to rant about it publicly.

you're not even on my radar.... if you'd like to be... come out for a ride and we can talk about it.


what you wrote...and what i read BLAH BLAH Look at me Blah blah look at me...

When i stepped away from racing in 95 as a cat1 I was 23. I started a family and got fat for 9 years. Just walked away. No need to make some zen like statement....got to a point where i just rode my bike to ride my bike...and taught my kids to ride.

as far as being on your radar...keep it. I have read enough of your posts to know you were the exact reason I did not miss the pro1/2 ranks.

i'm glad you found serenity...now go eat, get fat and enjoy it!

[pdxmech13]

Swoop bro
If your ever in portland i'll just ride wit ya

[zank]

My guess: When you get fat, you will stop "riding" and start "training".



I can relate to that.

[chrisroph]

Too many guys have quit cycling because they missed their competitive goal. They train for 2 years to hit a 1:15 flat kilo, 3 weeks before the districts they get a respiratory virus, they ride with compromised breathing, they put down a 1:16 and change and still get second, and they quit riding in disgust.

Many of those guys start riding again down the road for fun and health benefits. They ride for fitness and for the comradery and friendship that comes from cycling. They feel good and healthy, they race occasionally, even do well, but they pick a target race as a goal that keeps them riding instead of riding to race.

Been there, done that. Ride for the fun of it and if you want to hang up the numbers, go for it. You can always pull them back down.

Its good for you to take some seasons off.

[Fixed]

bro swoop has helped a lot of cats here ..so..let get this for him i think she will help him feel better
imho

[93legendti]

bro swoop has helped a lot of cats here ..so..let get this for him i think she will help him feel better
imho

The girl, the machine or both?

[Fixed]

The girl, the machine or both?

the man said
2 things
cheers

[csm]

I found when I stopped thinking I could be a bike racer I lost interest in riding; there were some other issues too but primarily I just didn't have the goals or mindset to ride. I took some time off from skiing too (couple of years)
3 yrs ago, or is it 4? doesn't matter, anyway I started riding again and found that I enjoy it more; I'm not driven by the need to put miles in, hours in, etc etc. My 13 and 7 yo boys like to do coffee shop rides around town. the 13 yo wanted to take up ski racing 4 years ago. that got me back into it. he decided after 3 seasons of gate bashing that he would rather be a hucker and free skier. his little brother last season finally clicked on got the whole carving and turning thing.
I guess my long-winded point is that sometimes stepping away puts things back in perspective.

[eisenm]

I concur with much that has been discussed. I find that I enjoy cycling most when I am putting in a regular amount of hard miles, feeling like I could be racing, but then taking a day to ride the heavy 8 speed trail bike through the resevoir trail and stopping to take pictures of the scenery. Or dragging my kid behind me in the Burleigh and stopping for snacks. Enjoy the good life, Swoop.

[William]

:no:





William

[Kahuna]

Swoop,

Does this mean you can start using a mirror now?

Jes kidding old boy. Welcome to the club.

P.S. You don't need results to enjoy the thrill.

P.P.S. Take an aspirin and call me in the morning. You'll be back!

:D

-K

1) i am officially no longer a bike racer. no more training, racing, or sponsors. time to stop. bikin' for fun and sun only.

2) word is that cipollini is signing (yes racing) for team rock. last i heard they're still throwing money at horner and he still isn't confirmed.

[swoop]

i was surprised that this thread evoked hostility and kind of want it to go away.... but at the same time... so what.

um.. yeah, no.. i'm riding 5-6 days a week and it mimics base123.... its just not a religion. i'm going to start coaching coaches on thursdays (hopefully). trying to teach some shrink skills to them.. about identifying pathology, setting and maintaining boundaries, how to process the stuff that gets projected onto them, and identify their own red flags, all on the bike.
there's so much coaching that becomes intimate... and it feels like a nice niche that isn't really developed. a way to process things for them that mimics how shrinks do it. i'd rather do that than 'race' for now.

its nice.

[Samster]

masters out here is so freaking hard and deep. it just takes too much work.POTY. understatement of the year as well.