Interesting speed data from chipped racing.
 

I had not competed in a bicycle race using chip timers prior to Sunday, so I decided to check the data across the various categories, the results are interesting.

The race was in Gwinnett, Ga, the course was 7 miles with a few hills.
Link to results

Cat4/5 35+:
Laps: 5
Distance: 35 miles
Time: 1:30:37
Average Speed: 23.2mph

Cat4/5 U35:
Laps: 5
Distance: 35 miles
Time: 1:24:38
Average Speed: 24.8mph

Cat3:
Laps: 6
Distance: 42 miles
Time: 1:43:18
Average Speed: 24.4mph

P/1/2
Laps: 10
Distance: 70 miles
Time: 2:44:43
Average Speed: 25.5mph


It looks like there might be a few sandbaggers in that U35 4/5 race, haha.







You won't find a result for me since I flatted and DNFed

Yeah, the average speed is a really poor indicator of how tough a bike race is. If there are a lot of surges, the speed will be lower, but the intensity through the roof.

True, I've been in 40 minute crits that nearly killed me. The pace was pretty stable prior to my flat.

More likely the nature of Cat 4/5 racing. No one ever lets any move get away, everybody chases everything. But people keep attacking nonetheless, and it drives the pace up. Plus you get the guys that go to the front and drive the pace as hard as possible, and think they're winning (hey I'm in front).

Last year in Jacksonville, the 5's race was faster than several of the other races (closing a gap of 10 minutes on the 4's and passing them.) The reason being was there was a killer headwind, and most of the other races stayed together at a moderate pace, knowing no one was going to get away. The 5's however went hell bent for leather chasing one break after another. The 5's weren't faster, just ignorant.

^ Someone must've won from that Cat 5 race, I guess his strategy worked for him...

It sounds like they were that day. :thumb:

Yeah... but that doesn't negate the ignorance of the racers that day.

He was probably a smart one and didn't see wind until the sprint.

It was also the shortest race of the day...
Guys who are under a certain age race like it's NASCAR. You don't get points for being on the front or trying to break legs when you take a pull...
Masters and higher cat racers know this...

I unfortunately couldn't tell you. Attacked with 3 miles to go with a teammate. We got about a 100yard gap before I cramped got caught and dropped.

It was the same length as the 35+; it was 7 miles shorter than the Cat3. That is not a lot difference unless your body magically shuts off after 40 miles. I don't think the 3s have that problem, they just used different tactics.

What's with the copious use of ellipsis?

It's a race folks. Being dismissive of a lower cat going faster is just plain silly. It's the whole freakin' point. They might not be doing it as intelligently as some may wish, but they are doing it. If you're in the lead you are winning. Holding it is, of course, another matter entirely.