bitterken

The other factor is that some of the better/bigger races don't have a 5 field. So if you want to do some of those, you'll need to be a 4 at least. And since the field sizes in a 4 race are much bigger then a 5 race, you'll want to do a few 4-only races to get a feel for the larger party of skittishness around you

brianappleby

In the bay area, the difference between the 4's and 5's is substantial. In my last 2 races as a 5 I finished 1st and 3rd. My first two races as a 4 have gotten me 30th and 12th (and much more pain). Not that I'm suggesting sandbagging, I am just tired of hearing that the 4's are the same as the 5's in terms of speed, because at least for climbing races, that is not the case.

Cypress

On the next group ride when somebody asks you "What cat do you race?", wouldn't it be nice to basically say that you aren't a beginner?

SaddleBags

CAT up. It'll give you more race options - CAT 4, 3/4, and depending on your age -Masters (30/35/45,etc).
I'm CAT'n up to a 4 after 10 races for the reason above (plus all my other CAT 5 teammates moved up this season and have left me solo in the last 2 races).

caloso

There's a kid in my neighborhood who just got his training wheels off. I can still take him, although it's just a matter of time before he's dropping me like a hot rock.

within

caloso,

Thinking about your post on my ride today and after reading some other responses (filtersweep) it occured to me that location and who you race against should be part of the equation also. Here in Phoenix we have some good riders but, the depth isn't comparable to the east coast, LA and the Bay Area. So, for most here in your situation I think they'd move up after number 10. Also, if you're confident in your bike handling skills, move up.

zzzwillzzz

go for the win.
give it 3 or 4 races, then move up before the end of the year. do a couple of cat 4 races this year. that way you will be mentally ready for next year and know what to expect.
i would only call it sandbagging if you had 20 races and all of the other racers had less than ten. but here in california we know that's not true, there are some perpetual cat 5s who have been racing for years especially in the 35+ 4/5.

Bobby Lex

5 years and 100+ races from now, when you're racing in the 3's and Masters divisions (or perhaps even higher) how significant will a Cat. 5 victory be? (Personally, I'm guessing that it will be about the same as the "A" you got on your Science test in 7th grade).

Bob

MDcatV

As per usual, Bobby Lex posts with great perspective.

caloso - you've gotten from Cat 5 what you're supposed to, experience in 10 mass start races. You should cat up. In Cat 4 you can focus on learning your strengths, weaknesses, and how to capitalize on one while minimizing the other in order to learn to get results.

eippo1

I've recently been beset by surgery messing with my race shape, so I don't want to cat up, but i'm gonna do one more race (Naugatuck) as a 5 and then cat up immediately afterwards. In NE the cat 5 riders are way too sketchy to stay there. Not that the cat 4 races are without incident, but the 5's are pretty awful.

caloso

The sketchiness of Cat 5 racing is an issue, definitely. In the last 3 weeks I've been in 4 crits and have witnessed 5 crashes. But so far, not a scratch on me. Am I running on borrowed time?

zeeke

Cat up. I just did and I didnt win a single race. My best finish was 6th and a 8th gc. Its not that OMG to win a cat 5. I would rather move up and get more experience with faster guys pushing me harder than to sit around for a few weeks waiting to win a easier race.

Its all about your ego, if you have to have that ego boost that you beat a bunch of guys with one day license the by all means stay a 5.

urbanknight

I never felt there was any pride in winning a cat 5 race, but then again that was when I thought I was going to reach cat 1 eventually.

caloso

Thanks for the discussion guys. It's been an interesting one.

I've decided to upgrade. After riding well during yesterday's shop ride, I convinced myself that I'm not a Cat 5 any more. And if I continue to ride well and place well, I can get a headstart on the Cat 3 o' meter for 2008.

Yep

I missed out on the Davis crit thanks to a car bumper. How'd you do? Of which shop ride do you speak?

caloso

I did pretty well. In the Cat 5 I and this young kid were a two-man break for about 12 laps (way too early). A third guy bridged up to us for a few laps but didn't do any work and then drifted back. We got caught with 2 to go. So I sat in and tried to stay up front. Managed to get 5th and the young kid got 6th.

In the 35 4/5 all I wanted to do was stay out of trouble since I knew that it was my 10th mass start race. Plus I was pretty gassed from the first race of the day. I finished in the middle of the pack.

The shop ride was the River Ride that leaves from City at 10 on Saturdays. I was 3d on the outbound sprint.

Yep

I'm gonna hijack just a little bit more. Does the Saturday break up into A/B/C rides?

nitropowered

Upgrade. You are better off suffering as a 4 than taking it easy as a 5.

caloso

Nope. It's totally informal. Just show up and follow the group, like on Tuesday nights.

FlashBazbo

In this area, this thread would never be an issue. Our races have PACKED fields for Cat5s and half-field Cat4s. It is not uncommon to have a LOT of Cat5s turned away, even slicing Cat5 into multiple age groups. A couple of top-5 finishes in Cat5, and you're bumped to Cat4 -- especially in the first half of the season.

caloso

Wow, that was fast. I just sent off the request last night and I just got an email this afternoon. Way to go USAC!

smallring

Its true there is a regional difference in racing and the type of race makes a big difference. if you were racing road races in nothern ca. they tend to have shorter harder climbs, and the cat. youre racing can have some very good climbers in it. do not be fooled by the cat. of the race in regard to how well someone can ride. you will find that there are a lot of good riders out there who just havent raced before.

smallring

In most cat. races breaks dont work, i am not saying dont try to get or start a break just think before you do and pick the right time. read the other racers know when they are not in position or condition for a chase start practicing this early in your career. reading and knowing the other racers is a big lesson that a lot of racers never learn

kensuf

Cat up.

I just did it and feel good about it.