Becoming a cyclist isn\’t always quick work.

From what I\’ve read about cyclist training, some people are \”fast responders\”. Their bodies react quickly and favorably to the training process.

To become a pro cyclist in a year\’s time is a staggering thought; but evidently it\’s not impossible. This fellow must be a phenomenally fast responder; and phenomenally determined as well. That he started upon such a venture at age 26 makes it even more amazing.

But it hasn\’t been quick work for me. After more than six years of two-wheeling, I still can\’t hold to 15 mph for more than a very short time. Probably I wasn\’t doing enough of the right kind of exercise(s), or I might have reached that level several years earlier.

My approach to cycling has been, on the whole, quite casual. When trying to train up to an event, such as Tour de Cure, I think I began training too late. That was especially true of previous years, when the route was in an area that was hilly. It always seemed that there was nothing I could do to truly prepare myself for all that climbing.

I see training programs for long rides that take 8-10 weeks. I finally concluded that they were for riders whose strength and skill levels were far above mine — or maybe they were for fast responders?