Teen cyclist on road to pro career

By: DAN HAYES - Staff Writer | Wednesday, January 19, 2005 11:00 PM PST ∞

Jerry Hill Jr. may be new to competitive cycling, but when it comes to preparation he's already a savvy veteran. Despite having only one cycling season under his belt ---- albeit a championship one ---- the San Pasqual High sophomore has developed the training habits of a far more experienced rider.

He eats right, he works out hard and he rides hard.

But most important, he monitors everything he does: the way he feels while riding after eating certain foods, what his heart rate was during a ride. Those are some of the minor elements Hill pays mind to.

It's that sort of attention to detail Hill, 15, feels is critical for him to become a pro cyclist.

"Yeah (you definitely can tell) when you race," said Hill, who won the 2004 California state championship at the Junior Men-15 level. "If you haven't trained or you're on an off-day, you're bombing. But you can write down what you ate one day and if you felt bad, you can look at it and learn from it."

After riding with his nephew for nearly a year, Hill's uncle, Mark Bergh, leaned on his own experience and encouraged Hill to attend a race in Fontana.

Bergh, a five-year member of the Back Alley Bikes club in Temecula, said he knew his nephew was more than just an average rider.

Hill proved him right by winning his first race, but just barely.

"He won it outright," Bergh said. "But he made some really big mistakes in that first race. He was lucky to finish it. ... He's got a natural skill.

"It can be taught, but only to a degree."

But it isn't just Hill's riding ability that has caught his uncle's attention. Bergh said that on numerous occasions other riders have told him how impressed they were with how Hill handles himself.

And, of course, there's Hill's endless quest for knowledge.

"Jerry's one of those kids who decided early on he was going to put time into doing it right," Bergh said. "He's had numerous conversations with me on how to become a pro, get sponsorship, ride for the national team. He's always respectful, and he always listens.

"That's actually kind of refreshing."

Paying attention to Bergh and other riders has been one of the biggest factors in how Hill has developed his training regimen.

He knew the best approach he could take was to watch and learn when he found himself riding with Pete Penseyres ---- the winner of the 1986 Race Across America, in which he set the speed record which still stands (15.4 mph).

"I've been riding with some really elite guys," Hill said. "I watch how things are taken care of. It's like music or art happening in front of you ... you're seeing how the picture is painted and then you get a shot to paint your own picture."

How Hill paints his future is the latest topic of discussion between himself, his uncle and his parents, Diane and Jerry. He's faced with the conflict of wanting to be a professional cyclist as fast as he can, yet not burning out before he can reach the goal ---- after all, he's still in high school.

For example, Hill knows he could advance two levels in the California state championships up to Junior Expert.

But that decision could lead to him getting tired of the sport because he'd have to push himself and his body.

Instead, Hill will ride in the Sport Class this season and continue to focus on music ---- he's also part of the school band and choir ---- and being a teenager.

"Cycling is my passion," Hill said. "The slower I go into the sport, the longer I'll last. Those Junior Expert kids will burn out. I want to be well-rounded.

"It's a good decision."

Contact staff writer Dan Hayes at dhayes@nctimes.com or (760) 739-6643.