The drawbacks of cycling competition.

Training for cycling requires constant devotion and consistency in training to reap results.  Unlike most skill sports, you can't take an extended time off from cycling and retain your level of competition or fitness.  The athletes that play tennis, soccer, baseball, basketball, etc. can all take time off and come back at the exact same level.  Skill development rarely diminishes.  I used to play tennis competitively.  I haven't played in months or even years, but I could pick up a racket this afternoon and compete at a fairly high level still.

With cycling, it's quite the opposite.  There really isn't much skill required in cycling.  There is tactical sense, knowledge, and experience, but in terms of skills, there really is only a little to learn.  If I took off a year of cycling, then hopped back on, I would pretty much have to start over.  Therein lies the problem.

I give up a lot of things to compete at this level.  I'm not at the top, and never will be, but I'm at a sustainable effort.  I put in around 10-15 hours a week, every week.  This is the only way I know of to maintain fitness and improve.  Unfortunately, I also have a job.  This means, I work 40 hours a week, then try to fit in a 2 hour workout when I get home.  It's extremely demanding psychologically and physically.  I also plan my whole year around the racing season, leaving little if any time for all the other things I enjoy so much like camping, backpacking, travel, climbing, etc.  Every year I think "this is my last year", then at the end of the year, I convince myself that I can improve a little more, so I dedicate myself again for the following year.

We'll see what happens from here.  I miss all the backpacking, hiking, and travel trips I used to take, so we'll see.