waterrockets 

Upgrade request declined, as expected. I wish I could race more, because I'd be there for sure. Maybe next year.

[smack talk]
For now, I'll focus on tearing the **** out of the M35+ field with Racer Ex and El Diablo Rojo, along with the rest of the team. I think our new kits should have a bullseye on the back.

If I do any Cat 3 or 3/4 races next year, I'm going to make it look like I'm really sandbagging.
[/smack talk]

MDcatV

surprised. I thought you won a bunch of races this year, what was the issue - points not as high due to field sizes or something?

waterrockets 

Two of the wins and a 2nd were at the weekly crit which is too short to qualify, although it is USAC.

On the weekends, I've only got two wins, but only six races.

I wasn't "expecting" the upgrade, just hoping for it. Based on performance, I'm clearly one of the stronger 3s in TX. I just can't do enough races like everyone else.

botto 

just think, if you had only shaved your legs...

waterrockets 

Is that why they called me a "mongrel" in my rejection email?

Approx01

The riders in texas are stronger than riders from other states. IF you had lived anywhere else, you probably would have had more wins

yonderboy

You might try requesting an upgrade after your first race next season. Especially if you murder the field.

I overheard one conversation with the local coordinator that because it was the end of the season, they were going to decline the upgrade for this particular rider and to resubmit next season.

substructure

Can you do 2/3 races instead of 3/4? Just asking.

Lithuania

did they give you any reason? Did it sound like they put any thought into it?

Duke of Kent

I don't even know how to respond to this.

kukusz

I had the same reaction.

MDcatV

gotcha. regardless, you had a fantastic season.

bikeM3987

Meh, unless you have lived everwhere else, it is a hard statement to make. I know cycling is competitive in Texas, but I have heard California is quite a bit worse...

waterrockets 

I think Texas is producing some fast riders (Nat champs every few years), but there are several regions with a higher density of these fast riders.

My issue was the number of results more than anything. In the beginning of the season, I was still learning how not to race like the weak sprinter, given my new power development, so no results there. Once I started attacking, I started getting results, but I ran out of races (because of my schedule, not the race calendar).

Most of my races this year were 1/2/3, but looking for upgrade points, the 3s looks much more attractive

Yeah, I didn't have enough points, and knew that already. I was hoping the shorter races that didn't generate points would make up for that. They had some friendly comments in there qualifying the rejection, so they considered all my submitted results.

By the rules, I can't upgrade, that much is clear. But, when you win a race, and everyone else in the breakaway is a Cat 2, then you win the biggest Cat 3 crit in TX, then beat the Cat 3 state champ in another crit, I figured I had enough to at least ask

cmh

Do your 35+ races count towards the upgrade? Maybe if you raced all Cat 3 instead of mostly 35+ races you'd have enough points. Not that it really matters - do the races that are the most fun and challenging for you.

gsteinb

No, masters results don't count.

substructure

Well Wr, I know this is your goal. And I know it will be achieved next year.

waterrockets 

I was counting the Masters win as points. If your category is included, and the field size and distance are appropriate, seems like it should count, no?

The reply acknowledged that win, and this page doesn't indicate the race categories have to be skill-based.

botto 

what a load of idiotic poppycock.

waterrockets 

Yeah, my first goal is team success. I think this will align with me getting some results, as well as supporting. I'm not racing for myself though, and with my limited schedule, I may actually end up being Cat 3 forever...

cmh

In OBRA Masters races count as long as the Cat is limited. For example a 35+ 123 race counts as upgrade points for 3 to 2, but 35+ all categories does not. At least that is how I understand it.

gsteinb

It certainly makes sense, especially given that masters races are harder than cat three races. But in my conversations with reps, at least, they claim only category results can count. Actually my rep cited that my masters results didn't count when she looked at my resume, which led her to the conclusion that I "wasn't a sandbagger." Phew. And I got crap from one of my teammates today for upgrading. Should have stayed a three. Don't do it WR. Stay there until they kick you out now.

Shayne

Just do some 3/4 races in the spring for some more points. Just make sure you pin your rejection letter to you jersey, right next to your number. Then when the other racers cry about sandbaggers, just point to the letter.

ElJamoquio

Get people from other teams to write letters demanding an investigation into your sandbagging.

MDcatV

local upgrade coordinator has discretionary authority to count masters races for upgrade from 3-->2. As you said, it makes sense because masters races are harder than cat 3 races. Typically at least in MABRA when the masters race is combined to include 30+ and 40+, the field sizes and distances are = to cat 3.

It makes me laugh that someone beating me in a cat 3 race gets upgrade pts. to cat 2, but their points might be disputable if they race a M30/40+ race and beat any combination of Mark Warno, Ken Young, Ramon Benitez, Josh Frick, Dave Osbourne, Chip Hoover, Dave Fuentes, Russ Langley, Ken Johnson, Bo Lee, Pete Cannel, etc., etc., etc. That's idiotic poppycock.