I did:) Best five years of my life - hands down.
Then the novelty wore off and I began chafing at the bit, thinking of related careers and flipping houses as my next step. Passion remained, but I wanted to explore other paths.
Never happened, I came down with an immune disease related health issue and ended up taking an "early retirement" at 55.
I don't regret it at all, it took sacrifice, because it meant a total career switch from corporate America, going back to school for two years at age 50 for a different degree. (I fast tracked to do it in two years - magna cum laude). It was exhilarating, invigorating and I was ecstatic to finally choose my own path, free of consideration for others or how much money this new endeavour might potentially bring in.
Bottomline, I took a gamble. I wasn't FI, but I didn't care, I made it work with zero student debt. I just knew this is what I was meant to do. It was my last chance at career related self fulfillment. Glorious.
Interior Design and Architecture are still my passion, but I've often been told that I am a great Garden and Landscape Designer. Makes me smile, because it is related, but such a personal experience that I know I'd never be any good designing gardens for someone else.
I pour my soul into my garden, but I only guided people to design their dream spaces - a very big difference.
My other passions are art and photography. Considered and tried a few things, but left it at a website where I make the occasional sale. The old adage about starving artists is true to a large degree, in the end you find that you sacrifice your values and artistic talent at the altar of money and acceptance. I need no acceptance for my art - all I want to do is create what I like, to my own standards, that's what makes me happy:)
This does not mean that I will not pick up the gauntlet in the near future to update and improve sales, it means that I lacked inspiration, motivation and drive to work on my skills and my website.
Sometimes you need a little distance to find new perspectives.
Writing - I like to write and keep thinking about a blog or even a book, but unless I can come up with a solid plan and at least a few good ideas, I am disinclined to start down that road.
I believe passions wane, develop and shift in new directions, but unless you are on fire with it and understand the business, it will come to naught. My thoughts on your cycling passion is, never stop considering your options - be truthful with yourself about what are you willing to do, consider all aspects.
My first question would be: What is the worst case scenario? Does that even matter to me?... How much time and energy do I want to commit to this passion to turn it into a part time business?
Set up a few criteria and if you are serious about your passion, go ahead and give it a go - what exactly do you have to lose? A few months of your life or serious monetary repercussions?
Sometimes it is smarter to just enjoy your hobbies and forget about monetizing them, sometimes you find opportunities that fit - just roll with it:).