How I’m Playing Path to the Thought of Trying to Go Pro at 36

Everything starts with a thought, a wild dream, something you say to yourself every now and then.

Who says you have to say goodbye to big sporting dreams when your age starts with a “3”? For most of my adult life, I’ve watched pro cycling from the sidelines cheering, debating, blogging, and occasionally roasting gear in reviews. But lately, a strange thing happened: I clawed my way back from illness, pedaled my heart out, and landed in the kind of fitness where the numbers quietly whispered, “You could do this. You could actually race with the pros—even now.” Not WorldTour level, let’s be real…but a Continental team? A season as a domestic, even with a kit that’s mostly dreams and travel expenses? Suddenly, the door was open just enough for me to see what’s inside.

After years away from racing—and at an age where most hopefuls have already stashed their race numbers I’m asking: is 36 “out of reach”?

The stats say I’m not exactly the norm. Most Conti teams stack their rosters with young guns: the average is mid-20s, with hopefuls fresh off the U23 express. But there are always the mavericks. Stories pop up every season about outliers who break in late, sometimes well into their 30s, surprising the younger crew with old-school stubbornness and a chestful of perspective often adding as much off the bike as on it. So maybe unreachable is just another way of saying “unusual.”

Honestly, I’d do this for almost any salary, a year chasing dreams, wearing sponsor kit, and seeing where it leads. Most Conti deals aren’t about cash, anyway; for many, it’s just enough to cover travel, a few decent meals, and maybe a handful of coffee rides with teammates. It’s adventure over income and a pathway to bigger dreams, especially for domestic squads aiming for local circuits and scene-building rather than the next Tour de France.

Here’s the kicker: I haven’t raced in years now. But when fitness meets ambition and the numbers stack up, you start seeing the world differently. Instead of staring at the finish line, I’m looking for a start. Could I make an impact?

Find a jersey with my name stitched on by some enthusiastic sponsor? Even if it’s just for one wild season? Teams want riders who can deliver—either by notching results or simply being the steady hands and wise heads to guide the young talent. My comeback story could tick a few boxes: perseverance, data, character, maybe even a dash of mentorship for someone less grizzled. Let’s face it im no GC, but I know how to hurt myself for other’s ambitions.

There’s no written age limit, just a sharply narrowing funnel, a need for actual ability, and a story compelling enough to catch a teams eye. Maybe the real challenge isn’t about being “allowed” in. It’s about showing you belong. The window may be small, but if you have the legs (and, let’s be honest, the nerve) to squeeze through, you might just get to peek behind that door for a year.

This isn’t me saying it’s going to happen but I want to ask the question. Is trying to go pro at 36 a bit mad?

Sure. But so was dreaming about racing in the first place. And in cycling, as in life, the ride’s not over until you say so. here’s to putting mad dreams down on paper.