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#1
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so you want to be a pro?
On Tuesday, 17 May 2011 13:47:49 UTC-7, Scott wrote:
On May 17, 10:02*am, "Steve Freides" wrote: Michael Press wrote: In article , "Steve Freides" wrote: Scott wrote: I'm always amazed by the folks who plug away their entire 20's, chasing that elusive pro contract, thinking that if they just get that one opportunity they'll make it big. * Here's a case of what happens when you actually have the goods: http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/...-stage-winner-... Discuss amongst yourselves. You guys are focused on the wrong aspect of the story. It's not that he won, but rather someone noticed his obvious talent and brought him up through a development system. He didn' spend years sleeping in his Yugo and eating pb&j waiting for the big break that was never going to come. Are we supposed to be happy for him?? De Clerq, by winning a stage at the Giro, has all but guaranteed himself a good five years of serious, FIVE-figure employment (in Euros!) that will prepare him for such exciting and lucrative careers as...bike mechanic! Or...cycling coach! He's so cool. It's good that he's living the dream. It's better that he didn't interrupt his studies to do so. I am just taking this moment of young(ish) Bart's success to **** from a height upon it, because I still don't believe pro cycling is much more professional than pro wrestling. To put it another way, pro cycling is a fun hobby, but it should give you pause to consider how quickly pro peloton salaries converge with Europe-league basketball player salaries. |
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#2
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so you want to be a pro?
On May 18, 10:36*am, Ryan Cousineau wrote:
On Tuesday, 17 May 2011 13:47:49 UTC-7, Scott *wrote: On May 17, 10:02*am, "Steve Freides" wrote: Michael Press wrote: In article , "Steve Freides" wrote: Scott wrote: I'm always amazed by the folks who plug away their entire 20's, chasing that elusive pro contract, thinking that if they just get that one opportunity they'll make it big. * Here's a case of what happens when you actually have the goods: http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/...-stage-winner-... Discuss amongst yourselves. You guys are focused on the wrong aspect of the story. It's not that he won, but rather someone noticed his obvious talent and brought him up through a development system. *He didn' spend years sleeping in his Yugo and eating pb&j waiting for the big break that was never going to come. Are we supposed to be happy for him?? De Clerq, by winning a stage at the Giro, has all but guaranteed himself a good five years of serious, FIVE-figure employment (in Euros!) that will prepare him for such exciting and lucrative careers as...bike mechanic! Or....cycling coach! He's so cool. It's good that he's living the dream. It's better that he didn't interrupt his studies to do so. I am just taking this moment of young(ish) Bart's success to **** from a height upon it, because I still don't believe pro cycling is much more professional than pro wrestling. To put it another way, pro cycling is a fun hobby, but it should give you pause to consider how quickly pro peloton salaries converge with Europe-league basketball player salaries. Again, focused on the wrong point. DeClerq is only relevant as a counter-example to the Yugo driving, pb&j eating, and often doping no- hopers. For those guys, they should accept that if they are not being sought out at a relatively young age, it is not in the cards. Not saying to quit racing, just face reality. |
#3
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so you want to be a pro?
On May 18, 3:29*pm, Scott wrote:
On May 18, 10:36*am, Ryan Cousineau wrote: On Tuesday, 17 May 2011 13:47:49 UTC-7, Scott *wrote: On May 17, 10:02*am, "Steve Freides" wrote: Michael Press wrote: In article , "Steve Freides" wrote: Scott wrote: I'm always amazed by the folks who plug away their entire 20's, chasing that elusive pro contract, thinking that if they just get that one opportunity they'll make it big. * Here's a case of what happens when you actually have the goods: http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/...-stage-winner-... Discuss amongst yourselves. You guys are focused on the wrong aspect of the story. It's not that he won, but rather someone noticed his obvious talent and brought him up through a development system. *He didn' spend years sleeping in his Yugo and eating pb&j waiting for the big break that was never going to come. Are we supposed to be happy for him?? De Clerq, by winning a stage at the Giro, has all but guaranteed himself a good five years of serious, FIVE-figure employment (in Euros!) that will prepare him for such exciting and lucrative careers as...bike mechanic! Or...cycling coach! He's so cool. It's good that he's living the dream. It's better that he didn't interrupt his studies to do so. I am just taking this moment of young(ish) Bart's success to **** from a height upon it, because I still don't believe pro cycling is much more professional than pro wrestling. To put it another way, pro cycling is a fun hobby, but it should give you pause to consider how quickly pro peloton salaries converge with Europe-league basketball player salaries. Again, focused on the wrong point. *DeClerq is only relevant as a counter-example to the Yugo driving, pb&j eating, and often doping no- hopers. *For those guys, they should accept that if they are not being sought out at a relatively young age, it is not in the cards. *Not saying to quit racing, just face reality. **** reality. What's it to you that another person's life choices bother you? Big fookin' deal - the guy likes to ride his bike and has a dream. I'm really at a loss to understand what you're suggesting as the alternative. Continuing that line of thought.... "No, Johnny, baseball is not a realistic profession, so put down the glove and go into your room and study the economics textbook I gave you for your birthday. It's chartered accountancy for you, just like your old man." You do things while you can. A roofer won't be going up on a roof in his sixties, etc., etc. Bike racing is a largely self-correcting phenomenon. If a person isn't harming anyone and they enjoy doing whatever it is, I don't give a rat's ass whether they're facing what someone else considers reality or not. R |
#4
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so you want to be a pro?
On May 18, 5:23*pm, RicodJour wrote:
On May 18, 3:29*pm, Scott wrote: On May 18, 10:36*am, Ryan Cousineau wrote: On Tuesday, 17 May 2011 13:47:49 UTC-7, Scott *wrote: On May 17, 10:02*am, "Steve Freides" wrote: Michael Press wrote: In article , "Steve Freides" wrote: Scott wrote: I'm always amazed by the folks who plug away their entire 20's, chasing that elusive pro contract, thinking that if they just get that one opportunity they'll make it big. * Here's a case of what happens when you actually have the goods: http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/...-stage-winner-... Discuss amongst yourselves. You guys are focused on the wrong aspect of the story. It's not that he won, but rather someone noticed his obvious talent and brought him up through a development system. *He didn' spend years sleeping in his Yugo and eating pb&j waiting for the big break that was never going to come. Are we supposed to be happy for him?? De Clerq, by winning a stage at the Giro, has all but guaranteed himself a good five years of serious, FIVE-figure employment (in Euros!) that will prepare him for such exciting and lucrative careers as...bike mechanic! Or...cycling coach! He's so cool. It's good that he's living the dream. It's better that he didn't interrupt his studies to do so. I am just taking this moment of young(ish) Bart's success to **** from a height upon it, because I still don't believe pro cycling is much more professional than pro wrestling. To put it another way, pro cycling is a fun hobby, but it should give you pause to consider how quickly pro peloton salaries converge with Europe-league basketball player salaries. Again, focused on the wrong point. *DeClerq is only relevant as a counter-example to the Yugo driving, pb&j eating, and often doping no- hopers. *For those guys, they should accept that if they are not being sought out at a relatively young age, it is not in the cards. *Not saying to quit racing, just face reality. **** reality. *What's it to you that another person's life choices bother you? *Big fookin' deal - the guy likes to ride his bike and has a dream. *I'm really at a loss to understand what you're suggesting as the alternative. *Continuing that line of thought.... "No, Johnny, baseball is not a realistic profession, so put down the glove and go into your room and study the economics textbook I gave you for your birthday. *It's chartered accountancy for you, just like your old man." You do things while you can. *A roofer won't be going up on a roof in his sixties, etc., etc. *Bike racing is a largely self-correcting phenomenon. *If a person isn't harming anyone and they enjoy doing whatever it is, I don't give a rat's ass whether they're facing what someone else considers reality or not. R So, today you're defending the 12k dreamers? FWIW, as I said before, I'm not suggesting folks don't race. Just suggesting that for many, a reality check is a good idea. A way to determine if you're really gonna make it, take a look at the DeClerq example. If you're good, someone will find you. |
#5
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so you want to be a pro?
On May 18, 7:43*pm, Scott wrote:
On May 18, 5:23*pm, RicodJour wrote: On May 18, 3:29*pm, Scott wrote: On May 18, 10:36*am, Ryan Cousineau wrote: On Tuesday, 17 May 2011 13:47:49 UTC-7, Scott *wrote: On May 17, 10:02*am, "Steve Freides" wrote: Michael Press wrote: In article , "Steve Freides" wrote: Scott wrote: I'm always amazed by the folks who plug away their entire 20's, chasing that elusive pro contract, thinking that if they just get that one opportunity they'll make it big. * Here's a case of what happens when you actually have the goods: http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/...-stage-winner-... Discuss amongst yourselves. You guys are focused on the wrong aspect of the story. It's not that he won, but rather someone noticed his obvious talent and brought him up through a development system. *He didn' spend years sleeping in his Yugo and eating pb&j waiting for the big break that was never going to come. Are we supposed to be happy for him?? De Clerq, by winning a stage at the Giro, has all but guaranteed himself a good five years of serious, FIVE-figure employment (in Euros!) that will prepare him for such exciting and lucrative careers as...bike mechanic! Or...cycling coach! He's so cool. It's good that he's living the dream. It's better that he didn't interrupt his studies to do so. I am just taking this moment of young(ish) Bart's success to **** from a height upon it, because I still don't believe pro cycling is much more professional than pro wrestling. To put it another way, pro cycling is a fun hobby, but it should give you pause to consider how quickly pro peloton salaries converge with Europe-league basketball player salaries. Again, focused on the wrong point. *DeClerq is only relevant as a counter-example to the Yugo driving, pb&j eating, and often doping no- hopers. *For those guys, they should accept that if they are not being sought out at a relatively young age, it is not in the cards. *Not saying to quit racing, just face reality. **** reality. *What's it to you that another person's life choices bother you? *Big fookin' deal - the guy likes to ride his bike and has a dream. *I'm really at a loss to understand what you're suggesting as the alternative. *Continuing that line of thought.... "No, Johnny, baseball is not a realistic profession, so put down the glove and go into your room and study the economics textbook I gave you for your birthday. *It's chartered accountancy for you, just like your old man." You do things while you can. *A roofer won't be going up on a roof in his sixties, etc., etc. *Bike racing is a largely self-correcting phenomenon. *If a person isn't harming anyone and they enjoy doing whatever it is, I don't give a rat's ass whether they're facing what someone else considers reality or not. R So, today you're defending the 12k dreamers? FWIW, as I said before, I'm not suggesting folks don't race. *Just suggesting that for many, a reality check is a good idea. *A way to determine if you're really gonna make it, take a look at the DeClerq example. *If you're good, someone will find you. Please allow me to rephrase myself... **** reality. And yes, I am 'defending' dreamers, though most are wise enough to ignore such words trying to make them face reality, whatever the **** that means. Answer me this, how many guys who 'wasted' their 20's following a dream, looked back in later life and said, "I really wish I had sat at a desk all those years."...hmmm? I'm guessing an amazingly low percentage that hovers around zero. It's the same thing as dying - nobody lies on their death bed and regrets they didn't spend more time in the office. They regret that they didn't spend more time with the family, didn't travel more, didn't take a chance. These young guys are taking a chance, having fun, suffering enough to know they're alive, and taking risks. I would imagine, money not withstanding, that most of them would look at your lifestyle and feel sorry for what you have to put up with. They'd probably feel that way about mine as well. I envy the young, and old, that can say **** reality and make it stick. There's way too much reality in the world already and it makes it a lesser place. R |
#6
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so you want to be a pro?
On 5/19/2011 12:32 AM, RicodJour wrote:
On May 18, 7:43 pm, wrote: On May 18, 5:23 pm, wrote: On May 18, 3:29 pm, wrote: On May 18, 10:36 am, Ryan wrote: On Tuesday, 17 May 2011 13:47:49 UTC-7, Scott wrote: On May 17, 10:02 am, "Steve wrote: Michael Press wrote: In , "Steve wrote: Scott wrote: I'm always amazed by the folks who plug away their entire 20's, chasing that elusive pro contract, thinking that if they just get that one opportunity they'll make it big. Here's a case of what happens when you actually have the goods: http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/...-stage-winner-... Discuss amongst yourselves. You guys are focused on the wrong aspect of the story. It's not that he won, but rather someone noticed his obvious talent and brought him up through a development system. He didn' spend years sleeping in his Yugo and eating pb&j waiting for the big break that was never going to come. Are we supposed to be happy for him?? De Clerq, by winning a stage at the Giro, has all but guaranteed himself a good five years of serious, FIVE-figure employment (in Euros!) that will prepare him for such exciting and lucrative careers as...bike mechanic! Or...cycling coach! He's so cool. It's good that he's living the dream. It's better that he didn't interrupt his studies to do so. I am just taking this moment of young(ish) Bart's success to **** from a height upon it, because I still don't believe pro cycling is much more professional than pro wrestling. To put it another way, pro cycling is a fun hobby, but it should give you pause to consider how quickly pro peloton salaries converge with Europe-league basketball player salaries. Again, focused on the wrong point. DeClerq is only relevant as a counter-example to the Yugo driving, pb&j eating, and often doping no- hopers. For those guys, they should accept that if they are not being sought out at a relatively young age, it is not in the cards. Not saying to quit racing, just face reality. **** reality. What's it to you that another person's life choices bother you? Big fookin' deal - the guy likes to ride his bike and has a dream. I'm really at a loss to understand what you're suggesting as the alternative. Continuing that line of thought.... "No, Johnny, baseball is not a realistic profession, so put down the glove and go into your room and study the economics textbook I gave you for your birthday. It's chartered accountancy for you, just like your old man." You do things while you can. A roofer won't be going up on a roof in his sixties, etc., etc. Bike racing is a largely self-correcting phenomenon. If a person isn't harming anyone and they enjoy doing whatever it is, I don't give a rat's ass whether they're facing what someone else considers reality or not. R So, today you're defending the 12k dreamers? FWIW, as I said before, I'm not suggesting folks don't race. Just suggesting that for many, a reality check is a good idea. A way to determine if you're really gonna make it, take a look at the DeClerq example. If you're good, someone will find you. Please allow me to rephrase myself... **** reality. And yes, I am 'defending' dreamers, though most are wise enough to ignore such words trying to make them face reality, whatever the **** that means. Answer me this, how many guys who 'wasted' their 20's following a dream, looked back in later life and said, "I really wish I had sat at a desk all those years."...hmmm? I'm guessing an amazingly low percentage that hovers around zero. It's the same thing as dying - nobody lies on their death bed and regrets they didn't spend more time in the office. They regret that they didn't spend more time with the family, didn't travel more, didn't take a chance. These young guys are taking a chance, having fun, suffering enough to know they're alive, and taking risks. I would imagine, money not withstanding, that most of them would look at your lifestyle and feel sorry for what you have to put up with. They'd probably feel that way about mine as well. I envy the young, and old, that can say **** reality and make it stick. There's way too much reality in the world already and it makes it a lesser place. R What if the dream you are chasing is a stupid ass dream? And you are raising a false comparison. There are many ways to waste one's youth that don't involve cube farms. I believe all Scott is asking is that if you are going to chase a dream the pursuit should also involve the possibility of that dream coming true. Fred Flintstein |
#7
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so you want to be a pro?
On 19/05/2011 06:32, RicodJour wrote:
SNIP I envy the young, and old, that can say **** reality and make it stick. There's way too much reality in the world already and it makes it a lesser place. APPLAUSE |
#8
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so you want to be a pro?
On May 19, 4:35*pm, atriage wrote:
On 19/05/2011 06:32, RicodJour wrote: SNIP * I envy the young, and old, that can say **** reality and make it * stick. *There's way too much reality in the world already and it makes * it a lesser place. * APPLAUSE On the other hand, the primal reality of being a mammal is your ability to fight or flee. A sport like MMA demonstrates your ability to fight and sports like running, swimming or cycling demonstrate your ability to flee. If other mammals could comprehend sport, I predict that they would admire these sports the most and would have difficulty appreciating the more sublimated ones. They would say, `Who cares if Nadal can beat Federer at tennis? Which guy can stomp the other to death?` If `reality`is the rat race, then I would agree. There`s nothing glorious or essential about it. Kids don`t dream about becoming a paper pusher. They are naturally attracted to the higher life - honor, glory, fear, blood, group cohesion, etc. - but are mostly discouraged along the way. |
#9
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so you want to be a pro?
On May 19, 1:35*pm, atriage wrote:
On 19/05/2011 06:32, RicodJour wrote: SNIP * I envy the young, and old, that can say **** reality and make it * stick. *There's way too much reality in the world already and it makes * it a lesser place. * APPLAUSE Dumbasses, There is living your dream of freedom and telling the rat race to go hang itself, and then there is dying in a hunting-shelter in Alaska because you can't get back across the river and didn't bring a map to find the nearest road. One's laudable and the other's stupid. It's not always as easy to draw the line. Be a 12K dreamer, sure, but recognize that you are a 12K dreamer and that by the time you've raced for a few years, if you had the talent to make it to the big leagues, someone would have noticed by now. I think that's what Scott was pointing out. It's like college athletes, who have a tiny chance of making it to the majors and getting the glory and money. There, the forces encouraging that dream and exploiting the athletes are large selfish institutions of higher learning (and TV networks, etc). If there's one good thing about US cycling's 12K dreamer system, it's that US cycling is half-assed enough that no analogous institution or person is making vast amounts of coin on the vain hopes of the 12K dreamers. Fredmaster Ben |
#10
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so you want to be a pro?
In article
, Fredmaster of Brainerd wrote: On May 19, 1:35Â*pm, atriage wrote: On 19/05/2011 06:32, RicodJour wrote: SNIP Â* I envy the young, and old, that can say **** reality and make it Â* stick. Â*There's way too much reality in the world already and it makes Â* it a lesser place. Â* APPLAUSE Dumbasses, There is living your dream of freedom and telling the rat race to go hang itself, and then there is dying in a hunting-shelter in Alaska because you can't get back across the river and didn't bring a map to find the nearest road. One's laudable and the other's stupid. It's not always as easy to draw the line. Be a 12K dreamer, sure, but recognize that you are a 12K dreamer and that by the time you've raced for a few years, if you had the talent to make it to the big leagues, someone would have noticed by now. I think that's what Scott was pointing out. It's like college athletes, who have a tiny chance of making it to the majors and getting the glory and money. There, the forces encouraging that dream and exploiting the athletes are large selfish institutions of higher learning (and TV networks, etc). If there's one good thing about US cycling's 12K dreamer system, it's that US cycling is half-assed enough that no analogous institution or person is making vast amounts of coin on the vain hopes of the 12K dreamers. But think. If such an infrastructure existed we would not have these unseemly, doping witch hunts. -- Old Fritz |
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