The "Off-Season"
Over the last five years of training to become a professional cyclist I have always had an offseason around September and October. But now that I am a Pro cyclist and have decided to focus on track cycling there will be no "off-season" until maybe Feb. Even that is a huge MAYBE?!?
How could this happen?, you ask.
Well there is a little know part of cycling called Six-Day racing. This used to be the most popular sport in America around the turn of the Century, even madison Square Gardens was built for velodrome racing. But now since Americans are so in love with watching NasCars fly around a track at Mach 1 until a big ass American wreck occurs and then we can all shit our pants at the same moment and hope that no one is unjured in these gas guzzeling balls of steal. Anyway, in short not many people like seeing men push the limits of human conditioning at the "slow" pace of cycling.
Luckily in Europe the sport is still flurishing. Each Six-Day the tracks are filled with spectators in the stands and on the infield. And every night for about six hours, for six says in a row the races are held in front of partying spectators, complete with live music, food and enough liquor for everyone.
Thus we arrive at my lack of off season. My partner and I have been invited to race at the Gent, Belgium Six-Day over Thanksgiving. So while every other cyclist is taking time off I am training. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled at this oppurtunity. I can;t wait until the rest of the pros start training for next season and the group rides will start up once again.
By the way, for anyone that has not seen a track race. The finishing speeds for some of the races are around 60-65 Km per hour. That would be just a little under 40 miles per hour on a bike with no brakes. It is quite a sight to see and love!
Suhr
How could this happen?, you ask.
Well there is a little know part of cycling called Six-Day racing. This used to be the most popular sport in America around the turn of the Century, even madison Square Gardens was built for velodrome racing. But now since Americans are so in love with watching NasCars fly around a track at Mach 1 until a big ass American wreck occurs and then we can all shit our pants at the same moment and hope that no one is unjured in these gas guzzeling balls of steal. Anyway, in short not many people like seeing men push the limits of human conditioning at the "slow" pace of cycling.
Luckily in Europe the sport is still flurishing. Each Six-Day the tracks are filled with spectators in the stands and on the infield. And every night for about six hours, for six says in a row the races are held in front of partying spectators, complete with live music, food and enough liquor for everyone.
Thus we arrive at my lack of off season. My partner and I have been invited to race at the Gent, Belgium Six-Day over Thanksgiving. So while every other cyclist is taking time off I am training. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled at this oppurtunity. I can;t wait until the rest of the pros start training for next season and the group rides will start up once again.
By the way, for anyone that has not seen a track race. The finishing speeds for some of the races are around 60-65 Km per hour. That would be just a little under 40 miles per hour on a bike with no brakes. It is quite a sight to see and love!
Suhr
