DanBailey.net

Photo courtesy of givepeasachance. Licensed under the Creative Commons.

I got my first surreal phone call of the year at the bike shop this weekend. It was way after hours, and a guy who sounded like he was in his forties and moderately drunk and/or high, called to ask about books covering training for track cycling. I told him that I couldn’t think of any track-specific books (and I still can’t), but I referred him to Joe Friel’s Cyclist’s Training Bible, which should be your go-to for any sort of cycling training. He asked where to buy it and I explained about these places called “bookstores” where they sell books…places like Borders and Barnes & Noble. I then advised him that if he wanted to save some money he could probably buy it on Amazon.

“That’s that computer thing, right?” he slurred.

Yes. The computer thing with the blinkenlights and the cupholder.

So then he asks me how much track cyclists make.

Oh dear god. Really? You think you’re going to make money at this? I fight my urge to start beating my head on the countertop.

I explain to him that pro cyclists don’t make peanuts and that millionaires like Armstrong are the rare exception and not the rule, and that it takes years of experience to go pro.

“How much?”

In a good year, racing track alone? You’d be lucky to clear $40,000. I tell him this and in his response, I can hear that he has disregarded the “you’d be lucky” part and the earlier “years of experience” thing, and he’s instantly in love with the idea.

“What did you say the name of that book was again?”

I recite the information again.

…

The thing is, part of me is happy about this. It indicates a general interest in the sport, which is always a plus. But there’s another part of me that quietly dreads the upcoming season of calls like this because, well, this is a hell of a start.