[QUOTE=Vinokurtov2) Improvement in results shouldn't be your only measure of progress. Field strength and races vary greatly in the lower Cats, you'll get guys who are passing through quickly on their way up; this can really change the pace/complextion of the race. And you'll have the "perpetual 4's", or the Baggers O' Sand.
I agree with you here. I did notice my avg speed increased each race, even with added climbing. Also, although CAT 5, I didn't run across any "dangerous" riders in my races, which is what I hear often happens in CAT 5. Most of the riders I encountered seemed pretty comfortable in pack/paceline riding. Only once did the peloton have to chastize a rider for riding a little "loose" in the pack. Overall, I think the competition in all three races was fairly consistent being that all three were in the Connecticut/New York area, and I noticed many of the riders doing the same races.