my dream is to b a pro mountain biker, n i no im not the only 1 with a story like this but ive dropped outa skool 4 this, ive bin 2 scotland for the mountains, i ride everyday, but how do i get people hu cud get me sponsored 2 notice me? i need a job to pay for a new downhill bike so im kinda stuck there too cuz im 16 in a month. i have a job but its gunna take ova 2 years 2 save up 4 a bike to take the drops i wanna do n im sick of delayin my future, so, please help!
2007-10-25 10:03:17 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Cycling
Hey thanks for the replys, I can write and spell thanks I was in a rush to get the last bus - which I missed.... But I see nearly everyone has mentioned going back to school. I'll email my head of year and see what she says on my return back to school. I dont intend in becoming pro for the money, it's more the dream.
2007-10-26 09:30:43 · update #1
I hate to tell you this, but pro mountain bikers don't make much in the way of a living. From what I've seen, being a pro mountain bike is pretty much a subsistence life. If you are really good, though, you do get your equipment for free. If you decide you want more than a subsistence lifestyle forget mountain biking; European road racing is where the money is. By the way, when you are in your mid-30s and too old to ride any longer, you had better be prepared to get a job.
That said, sponsorship requires two things: winning and presenting a winning image. Sponsors don't hand out money out of the goodness of their hearts. They want you to win on their equipment and they want you to represent their equipment well. Part of representing their equipment is communicating with the public: in person, on blogs, in interviews, etc. Judging by the disjointed nature of your question, you've got a long way to go.
So, my suggestion is to keep riding your bike and and get yourself back in school. You need an education now and you'll certainly need one when you are too old to turn the cranks competitively.
You may be interested in knowing I live in the middle of the college basketball universe. Every year a crop of talented basketball players go pro, or otherwise exhaust their eligibility. According to our UPS and FedEx drivers, because these fellows are big, strong and fit, many make excellent package handlers when their basketball careers are over. They tell me it is sometimes disconcerting to see last year's (or last decade's) hero on the package line loading trucks.
I know these are hard words and not at all what you want to hear, but I'll hope you take them to heart.
2007-10-26 04:52:35 · answer #1 · answered by sfr1224 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact your local bike shop (LBS) - they might be able able to help you out with some free Tee-shirts or a Water bottle or something, If you are as good as you think you are! - then do what M R said!
Sorry to sound like an old Fogey but your hope and dreams don't arrive on a silver platter!!! - You have to go out there and get them!
Best of luck though.
.
2007-10-25 20:27:00 · answer #2 · answered by onlyme Mr G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure why you had to drop out to train for biking. You won't get sponsored until your prove your a good enough rider to warrant someone giving to money. Enter competitions and do well. Then contact the teams you compete against to see if they're interested.
2007-10-25 17:29:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For your sake I really hope you are a great mountain biker. Making it as a pro athlete is very difficult. Usually you have to pay your dues and hope that you're good enough. I'd go back to school. there is no reason why you can't be a pro cyclist and finish highschool.
2007-10-25 17:26:29 · answer #4 · answered by Jay P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well for one, i would go back to school and get that grammar fixed up.
u got 2 git sum lerndin so the can giv u muny
2007-10-25 17:06:11 · answer #5 · answered by Walter D 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋