Becoming Pro.

I started this post a few weeks ago but have struggled to get it finished. Despite the cold weather and happy to sit on the couch with the pc, I have had a few other things going on, including a request to write an article for a magazine.

My Mum had recently visited so I spent some much needed time with her. As well as many other places, I took her to Norway has I had to have a chat with Morten about the prospects for next season at Sparebanken Vest-Ridley. At that time it was not looking as good as he'd hoped but it is apparently now looking real promising for next season. I thought I had a good chance at a new pro conti team but after many emails have had no response since the inital contact earlier in the year, so I think that's a dead end road for this coming season. Good thing thou about the smaller teams is the program is not as busy so I get some time at home which makes Lindsay happy.

So anyway, on my Mums flight home I decided to go with her some of the way to Dubai. I have friends there I have being meaning to visit for a while, so it was a good excuse. I would only be there a few days but it was good to escape the colder tempatures. While I was there I was also given the chance to check out a new soon to be bike store, in which I now have involvement in setting up the workshop layout and training of staff. So that has kept me planning some things since returning. As interesting as that is [more details I'm sure will follow], while in Dubai my mate Luke handed me a book to read, not that I had much time to read a 200+ page book. Now while Im not one for reading a book just for the sake of reading, this one was cycling related and I thought it might be worth a read. It turned out I couldn't put it down. Anyone who has dreams of coming to Europe or younger kids with a dream to turn pro should read this book, it's called A Dog in a Hat. It is the story of a young American kid named Joe Parkin. It was back in the late 80's era when Joe had packed his bags bound for Belgium to become a professional, he soon finds himself on a rollercoaster ride around a life of betrayal and drugs, but discovers a love for Belgium. A great story.

There are many riders who have dreams of racing in Europe, but getting here is hard. This is a strong topic for me and would like to one day change this for young hopefuls wanting to aleast try it. Like many guys in the 80's - 90's era, they came to Europe with no team. Through someone they knew, a rider would make a few phone calls for some accomodation and would soon find himself racing in the Euro scene at the amateur ranks. While some riders still do it this way other riders these days tend to go about it a different way. It's like their above the amateur level and want to go straight to Continental. The mentality of not coming unless they're paid or sign a huge contract you hear to often. The reality is [and I have stated in a previous post] that you need to invest in yourself for someone to invest in you. Yes you need to support yourself, but there is nothing wrong with trying to find a couple of private sponsors at home to support you. If that is covered then your half way there. Gone are the days when guys like Joe Parkin and our own Allan Piper and Phil Anderson packed their bags to try their luck by starting in the amateurs, and it's sad because that's how you develop experience and depth, instead of being a spoiled brat like many are these days. Not every parent is able to afford a scholarship with their local Institute of Sport, or the rider meet the right credentials to join the squad. Your better to race the domestic scene with a few short stints in Eurpoe at the amateurs to gain the experince, while doing some study to have something to fall back on, then early mid 20's you can concentrate 100% on cycling.

I actually don't agree with U23 riders going to the Pro Tour level, especially when their only 20. As good as they might be I beleive being a great national level rider doing a few stints in Europe off and on and then go sign a contract for a big Pro Tour team is not the best way. The racing is a big step, the money can be too much [at that age], which they don't know what do with and the chance of burning out from the racing and the pressure is much higher. But you can understand why they do it, cycling doesn't last forever and the big money contract is attractive, but if your in it for the money than your better off a footballer. I don't say all young guys are like this, but some are and this is just my opinion. I think at the age of 24 is a better age to go to a pro tour team.

A few months ago a couple I know had a house where they took in riders, he had always a low budget [sometimes almost zreo] team and gave non European riders the chance to race in Belgium. Sadly he had to sell the house. For seven years he had near perfect guys in the house, some have stopped while some are still racing and in the pro ranks. But the last couple of years was too much, the guys were different, it was their attitude. Now I'm not going to point fingers but some of the guys were good and some were not, and I'm not talking about their riding. All season the house was a mess, bedrooms were not the rooms of someone wanting to be a professional. If your on a team, no team mate will want to room with you if you live like a pig, period. There was almost every week someone sick. The house was such a state it caused the owner's wife much stress and a number of nervous breakdowns and a bucket of tears from being heart broken to see her house in such a state. After going through the house and seeing the so called "yes it's clean" condition it was in, it was far from clean. Rather than a clean tidy apperance as if people had move out, it looked like it was still lived in. She could not go through it again if the riders of this day and age are the same, they had to sell it. Although the riders were given the opportunity to be pro, none of them really took it in both hands and appreciated it for what was given to them. Some even thought that what they had at the house was not great, conditions or the cost were two things that come to mind. Yes ok the house was old, but don't be such an unapprecitive prick.

So if you're a young rider wanting to come to Europe, then this is my advice. Where ever you stay the number one rule is HAVE RESPECT. Respect the owners and the belongings of their property in which you stay. If they set rules, respect those rules. Keep the place clean, at the most when your not at a race, all you have to do is ride your bike for 5 hours, so don't be lazy and clean up a little. And keep your room tidy and clean, living like a pig will cause you to be constantly ill.

ROUTINE, A true professional will be out training early, like 9am and be back just after lunch on a good day. If you return from a race late in the evening [like 9 or later]which you sometimes do, then don't proceed to spend hours cooking a meal to feed a small army and then more hours just to eat it to find yourself crawling into bed way after midnight. Better to have something directly after the race [fruit is good or just some sandwiches] and cook a quick meal once home and get to bed as quickly as possible, this will speed your recovery.

THE BIKE, keep your bike clean and in good condition. When you come back from a race, the next day wash your bike, then you train a few days on a clean bike before washing it again the day before your next race, not the morning of the race like some guys did. Take pride in your bike [even if a team bike] as it is your tool to success. There is a photo in the book of Joe Parkin sitting on a bike for a team postcard, he was not happy because the bike he was on had dirty handlebar tape. He says he would not be seen in public with dirty tape.
WHEELS, don't bring race wheels for training. For example, don't train on a wheel like the Mavic Ksyrium Elite, train on something heavy like the Aksium, or better still have something custom built that is 32 hole with 3 cross lacing as this will last you on the rough Belgian roads. If you end up on a small team then don't expect the lastest and greatest equipment, appreciate what your given and learn to ride on no matter what. Everything these days is a huge improvement over what guys had back in earlier days, and they weren't complaining.
you should give your bike a good wash once a week, not always up against the wall and the drive train a quick once over. Get a workstand, a bucket of soapy water and do it properly.

LISTEN, it's the best thing you can do. listen to the people around you that have being in the sport for many years. If the staff your with say do this or that, then atleast listen to what their saying, you may disagree with what their saying but your better to keep your mouth shut and just listen. Never act like a know all, especially about racing in Belgium if it's your first time.

THE LOOK, try to look professional. Don't go out there with your helmet not on straight or arm warmers with the sponsors logo on the underside. Take time to make sure everything looks good. I know sock hight is a big topic but come on, it's just a fad. If the sock reaches your calf then it's far too high, 3 to 4 inches of cuff is more than enough.

Lastly, and is the one thing I regret not doing when younger and now find myself struggling to do, is try to learn some of the language of the country you wish to live. Take a class if you must but knowing the basics will be appreciated and will come in use when entering at races and at the local shops. But my biggest regret thou was not coming to Europe when I was 20, like my older brother Peter did.
So if you keep these things in mind then your well on your way. Joe Parkin raced 6 years in Europe, while not a long successful life as a professional he did get to be a professional through the way he was as a person and a rider. The pros are quite reserved people, focused, their not people that draw attention to themselves by being loud or by acting like a complete knob. By all means have some fun but remain focused in your goals, being professional on and off the bike will go a long way.

Safe Riding
Mark