Ya know that Disney movie with Dennis Quaid playing a high school baseball coach who makes it to the major leagues at the age of 35? Yeah, I know it sucked but you can’t help but marvel at the true story of the pitcher it’s based on. Todd Herriott turned pro at the age of 32, which is like being a rookie pitcher in the majors at 53. Obviously, there is a combination of exceptional circumstances and an extraordinary athlete that allows for such a thing, but his story remains an inspiration bordering on myth for many who follow NYC cycling. Todd’s big break came after he became the first American to win the Vuelta a Cuba in 2003–and he did it as an amateur! He was voted top amateur of the year by VeloNews, then promptly turned pro.

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Todd is not a native New Yorker, but he’s probably the only professional bike rider you will actually see in person this winter making his way out to Nyack along with the rest of us schmoes. Hell, they should probably give him a 30 second head start for training here all winter while the rest of the pros are soaking up the sun and the choice selection of rides in Cali or Arizona. But given his unique history and outlook he is a good fit for NYC and we are happy to have him. Its not like the Knicks give us much to be proud of these days…

NYVC: What is the thing that surprised you most about becoming a pro, in the race and out of it?

TH: I was surprised at how much more intense the racing had become. As an amateur I had the luxury of not having to do the work at the big races, I was often a passenger that was sometimes able to take advantage of other people’s work. As a member of a team with a role to play, I was the one doing the work—because now it was my job. I’m surprised off the bike at how many guys don’t present themselves in a professional manner. We are representing our sponsors when we are on the road, and how we act and how we present ourselves reflects upon them. That doesn’t just go for the pro guys, the amateur riders should follow suit. People remember how you act off of the bike as well as on. Little details can make a big difference.

NYVC: You turned pro relatively late. How do you think your perspective is different than if you had done it a decade before, and do you regret your late start?

TH: I don’t have any regrets with regard to how my career has unfolded. It’s not the norm for guys to turn pro after they turn 30, but then what’s normal? If I had turned pro in the early ’90s when I was trying to make my way in the sport, my life would no doubt be a lot different, but then I would have missed out on some of the great experiences that I had after leaving the sport in ’94. Of course there are times when I can’t help but wonder what kind of rider I would be if I had continued, but then hindsight is 20/20. If I had stuck it out in the movie industry, would I be directing feature films by now? I’ll never know. I think my perspective would be a lot different than it is now if all I had ever done was bike racing, and that’s not to say that a pro rider who has done nothing but commit himself to the sport has any less perspective than I do—it’s just a different one. The older you get, the more experiences you have, the more relationships that you involve yourself with—I think everyone’s perspective changes over time.

For whatever reason—lack of talent, timing etc. etc., I missed the boat on pro cycling back in the proverbial “day.” But I’m here now, and I don’t take one day of it for granted.

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NYVC: What are you most looking forward to next year?

TH: Next year I’m really looking forward to working with the TEAM. For the first time in a long time I will be on the same team for 2 years in a row and with a lot of the same teammates. The team really started to gel last season, and with a new director and a few new faces, I’m really excited about going to work with guys that I like and who like to work hard, laugh a lot, and win a lot. And, of course, there are a few races at which I would like to be at the top of the results sheet, but that truly comes second.

NYVC: Explain your role on the Colivita team?

TH: My role on the team is that of a domestique. When it comes time for the team to chase, you will see me on the front. Often, my role is to cover the early move, and sometimes my job is being part of the lead out. Sometimes I will end up in THE move and then depending on the situation, I may get a chance to play my own card. We always have a race plan, which often can change as the race unfolds.

NYVC: Which domestic pros are going to surprise people this year?

TH: Domestic pros that are going to surprise people this year? I’d watch out for Justin Englund who is now riding for Healthnet. Horner has left a void in the domestic scene and I think a lot of guys think they can step up now and fill it. A lot of the races will be wide open and with so many teams in the US now, it’s hard to say who is going be winning all the races. Mike Jones has already been surprising people, but I think he’s going to really make an impact in ’05. I’d also bet that Ben Brooks of Jelly Belly is going to be stepping up too. There are a lot of guys on some of the new teams that I’ve never heard of, so perhaps there’s a sleeper or two in there. I also think David Frattini, one of my new teammates, is going to really open some eyes. With a team that can really support him, I think he may be the new stage race threat.

NYVC: What is your favorite training ride in NY?

TH: My favorite training ride in NYC is the ride to Harriman State Park. I’m also a big fan of the Orchard ride, as they have some amazing homemade doughnuts at the store there.

NYVC: What is your favorite race in NYC? Best racing memory in NYC?

TH: My favorite race in NY is Bear Mountain, though I’ve never been able to win it. I haven’t raced it since turning pro as it always conflicts with my schedule—hopefully this year I’ll be able to make it. My best racing memory in NY–remember that I only started racing there in 2001—would have to be the 2002 Mengoni Grand Prix. Myself, Joe Papp, and a guy from Holland rolled away from the field with 1.5 laps to go and we made it to the finish with a full train of Navigators chasing. Of course I didn’t win, but it was the best ride I have ever done in Central Park. I WILL win that race before I retire—though it won’t be in a sprint!

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NYVC: What are the biggest mistakes amateurs make in their approach to racing and training?

TH: I think the biggest mistake amateurs who have a vision of turning pro make is trying to do too much too soon. Learn to be patient and really learn about racing—it’s more than just riding hard. Train your weaknesses and don’t worry so much about what everyone else is doing. Training hard doesn’t mean riding hard all of the time. I know I’m jumping around a bit, but I think these are all good points. Don’t pretend that you know everything—nobody does. Lastly, don’t make excuses—do the best that you can when you’re out training and when you go to the races and you will be amazed at the progress you will make. Don’t make the mistake of feeling like you deserve this or that just because you’ve been racing for a few years. Don’t lose your perspective.

NYVC: Any more tips?

TH: I eat 1 cup of oatmeal mixed with honey and peanut butter every morning, I swear by FRS anti-oxidant drink, as well as Emergen-C packets.

Thanks, Homeboy! We will be watching closely next year. Check out Todd’s site here