Ask a Pro

1. Pro Cycling: Less Glamour, More Grind (and Questionable Pay)

After all the bruises, cramps, and long days, the hardest part is keeping a straight face when I get my paycheck.

The financial reality. While friends might think pros have it made with free gear and travel, the salary, especially at lower levels, is often meager, sometimes less than an airport burrito. The perceived glamour of racing is often overshadowed by the daily grind of training, travel, and living out of suitcases in budget hotels.

Beyond the paycheck. Despite the low pay, the job offers unique perks that money can't easily buy. These include free bikes and gear, travel to interesting places, and the simple satisfaction of riding a bike for a living. The value comes from the experiences and the ability to pursue a passion, even if it doesn't make you rich.

A unique profession. Pro cycling is a puzzling sport with rigid etiquette, complicated equipment, and constant travel. It's a job where you're treated like a "big, dumb animal," expected to perform despite discomfort, and often judged by strangers who don't understand the sport. Yet, for those who love it, the trade-offs are often worth it.

2. Training: It's About Consistency, Specificity, and Smart Choices

If they haven’t helped you win races, your power numbers aren’t good enough for you to be a pro.

Numbers are relative. While power meters are valuable tools, focusing solely on watts is misguided. Your power numbers mean little without context (like weight) and are useless if they don't translate to race results. The goal is to use data to improve performance, not just to brag.

Consistency over intensity. Training gets monotonous, but consistency is key. Finding ways to stay motivated, like riding with friends, changing scenery, or using music, helps maintain the routine. Pros embrace the daily grind, understanding that showing up is half the battle.

Smart training choices. Training should be specific to your goals and rider type. Climbers need endurance and threshold power, sprinters need speed and positioning skills. Don't be afraid to take time off for mental breaks or cross-train, but prioritize what makes you faster in your chosen discipline.

3. Navigating the Social Landscape: Fans, Amateurs, and Relationships

You like bike racing, but that puts you in the minority.

Appreciating true fans. Most of the world sees cyclists as an inconvenience. When pros encounter genuine fans, they appreciate the interaction because it offsets the negativity from drivers and the general public. Fans make the sport possible, and most pros are happy to chat or sign autographs politely requested.

Dealing with amateurs. Amateurs often ask pros for advice, team contacts, or compare training numbers. While some requests are annoying (like asking to be put on a team based on group ride sprints), pros understand the desire to improve. However, they often find amateur behavior, like bragging about power or wearing full pro kits without earning it, amusing or irritating.

Relationships are challenging. The pro cycling lifestyle, with constant travel and focus on training/recovery, puts a strain on relationships. Partners may not understand the demands, the need for recovery, or the equipment obsession. Finding someone who is understanding or accepting of the lifestyle is crucial.

4. Team Dynamics: Unwritten Rules, Roommate Quirks, and Loyalty

For the most part, though, anything that makes its way to the pro ranks or a bike shop works well enough that I’d be happy to recommend it to recreational riders, who generally don’t require the same quality or durability as we do.

Unwritten rules of the peloton. Beyond the official rulebook, cycling has a complex set of unwritten rules based on respect and hierarchy. These govern things like when breaks are allowed to go, how teams block the road, and how riders behave towards each other in different race situations. Breaking these rules can make you unpopular.

Team staff are essential. Mechanics, soigneurs, and directors handle the logistics, equipment, and rider care. Riders rely heavily on staff, often taking their work for granted. Staff jobs are tough to get and require dedication, sometimes involving long hours and low pay initially.

Roommate challenges. Sharing hotel rooms is standard practice and can lead to friction over sleep schedules, TV habits, or personal quirks. Soigneurs often play matchmaker, but incompatible roommates can add stress. Higher-ranked riders often get preferential treatment in roommate assignments.

5. Crashes and Injuries: An Inevitable Part of the Job

Judging by my history, if I die in a bike race, my last words will almost certainly be four letters at high decibels.

Crashes are frequent. Bicycles are inherently unstable, and crashes are a regular occurrence in racing and training. While pros are often skilled at avoiding crashes, they still happen due to rider error, road conditions, or external factors like animals or vehicles.

Dealing with the aftermath. After a crash, the immediate reaction is often denial and profanity. Pros are expected to get up and continue if possible, fueled by adrenaline. Recovery involves cleaning wounds (often painfully), bandaging, and dealing with the physical and mental toll. Blaming others is a common coping mechanism.

Long-term impact. Crashes result in injuries ranging from road rash and broken bones to concussions. These require time off the bike and can impact future performance. Scars become physical souvenirs of a career spent pushing limits.

6. Equipment: Find What Works, Don't Be a Nerd (Unless You're Ben Day)

New Bike Day is a highly anticipated, almost religious holiday for us.

The joy of new gear. Pros, like many cyclists, get excited about new bikes and equipment. Sponsorships provide access to high-end gear, making "New Bike Day" a highlight. However, this also means frequently adjusting to new bikes and components.

Positioning is crucial. Getting the bike fit right is essential for comfort and performance, but it can be frustrating. Pros often rely on bike fitters to match their position across different bikes and brands. Consistency in saddles, bars, and cleats helps minimize adjustment issues.

Practicality vs. perfection. While having the best gear is nice, practicality matters. Pros learn to be adaptable and comfortable within a small range of positions. Simple things like carrying enough spare tubes or using oversized water bottles can make a big difference on long rides.

7. Doping: A Shadow Sport, Best Avoided

As a founder of the clean tattoo club, if I ever dope or test positive, there’s a pact that the other members of the club will show up at my house and remove my tattoo with a cheese grater, so there’s more to lose than my reputation.

Testing is frequent. Pros, especially those in the testing pool, are subject to frequent in- and out-of-competition drug tests. The whereabouts system requires riders to report their location daily. Missing tests can lead to suspensions.

Supplements are risky. While many pros take basic vitamins or supplements, there's always a risk of tainted products leading to a positive test. Choosing certified products and doing homework on brands is essential to minimize this risk.

The clean choice. Despite the sport's history and the pressure to perform, many riders choose to compete clean. This is a personal decision with significant consequences if violated, as symbolized by the "clean tattoo" pact. The debate over ex-dopers returning to the sport remains contentious.

8. Group Rides: A Microcosm of Cycling's Characters

It seems like every group ride has a common cast of characters.

Unspoken competition. Group rides, even informal ones, often involve competition, especially among non-racers. While there are no official rules, there's an expectation of fair play and adherence to basic etiquette.

Common archetypes. Group rides attract a predictable cast of characters, including:

• The Cocky Pro (sometimes Phil himself)
• The Time Nazi (starts exactly on time)
• The Superfan (full kit, knows everything)
• Inexplicably Strong Big Guy (defies logic)
• Shortcut Guy (joins late, leaves early)
• Guy Who Waits for No One (blows lights, abandons others)
• Team Tactics Guy (blocks on a group ride)
• Mountain Biker (shows off road skills)
• Bike Nerd (newest gear, knows a guy)
• Aerobars Guy (rides in aerobars in the pack)
• The Rustbucket (old gear, wobbly)
• The Geezer (been there forever)
• The Creep (annoys women)

Dealing with annoyances. While some characters are just irritating, others can be dangerous. Complaining often makes you look pathetic, so pros often tolerate the behavior or use humor and sarcasm to cope.

9. Dealing with Drivers: Assume the Worst, Prioritize Safety

My policy for staying on this planet—and I’ve yet to be hit by anything†—is to assume that not only do the drivers not see me, but they’re actually trying to kill me.

Constant vigilance required. Cyclists must constantly be aware of their surroundings and assume drivers are not paying attention or are actively hostile. This forced paranoia, while stressful, is essential for staying safe on the road.

Rural vs. urban risks. While rural roads might have faster cars and more aggressive drivers who feel entitled to the road, cities often have more traffic but slower speeds and more witnesses, which can deter overt aggression. Both environments present unique dangers.

Navigating traffic laws. Cyclists often face situations where obeying traffic laws perfectly feels less safe than bending them (e.g., treating red lights as four-way stops when claiming a lane). While not legally advisable, many cyclists prioritize safety over strict adherence to rules, especially when drivers are unpredictable.

10. Motivation: Embrace the Madness, Find Your Joy

When motivation dips, it helps to have an iPod, some good riding partners, or a change of scenery.

The ups and downs. Pro cycling involves extreme highs (winning) and lows (losing, crashing, loneliness). Learning to manage these fluctuations is key to long-term sustainability. Savoring successes and looking ahead during tough times helps maintain perspective.

Finding the drive. Staying motivated day in and day out, especially during monotonous training blocks or in bad weather, is a challenge. Strategies include:

• Riding with friends
• Changing training routes or locations
• Cross-training
• Taking mental breaks
• Focusing on long-term goals

Embracing the lifestyle. Ultimately, motivation comes from a love for the sport and the unique lifestyle it offers. Despite the hardships and low pay, the passion for riding and competing is what keeps pros going.

11. The Path to Pro: Talent Helps, But Hard Work and Results Speak Louder

If you’re good enough, you don’t need my help to get on a team, and if you’re not good enough, I wouldn’t help you anyway.

Results are paramount. Getting a pro contract is primarily about achieving results in significant races. Connections can help, but performance is the main currency. Teams look for riders who can contribute to wins, not just those with good training numbers or group ride victories.

Talent vs. hard work. While genetics play a role in determining rider type (climber, sprinter, etc.), hard work is essential for maximizing potential. Some pros follow a traditional path through junior and U23 development programs, while others take a less conventional route through college and domestic teams.

Making smart choices. Young riders face decisions about school vs. racing full-time. Pros advise against dropping out too early unless you're clearly on a trajectory for the top level. Balancing development with education or a part-time job provides a safety net and prevents burnout.

12. WorldTour Life: Higher Stakes, Similar Challenges

Winning a race in front of garbage cans would be much better than getting dropped over and over and embarrassing myself on TV.

Stepping up the competition. Moving to the WorldTour means racing bigger events against the world's best. The competition is fiercer, the descents are faster, and the tactical organization is higher. This requires an adjustment period and increased focus.

Logistics improve, but travel is still tough. WorldTour teams have larger budgets and more staff to handle travel and logistics, making things smoother than on smaller teams. However, the constant travel across continents and time zones remains a significant challenge.

The core job remains. Despite the higher level and increased support, the fundamental job is the same: train, race, recover. The pressures are higher, and the consequences of failure are more visible, but the daily routine and challenges (like dealing with crashes, finding motivation, and managing relationships) persist.

Last updated: May 4, 2025