But I don't want to upgrade!
#1
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But I don't want to upgrade!
I hate to even post this, but I need the opinions. I started racing around 10 months ago. I did 3 citizen's class races last year, 11 collegiate D races this spring, and some spring cat 5 or 4/5 races. I think I've got a total of19 or 20 entries, but I'm not even in the pack all the time. I got 2nd in a citizen's race, pointed 2 or 3 times in collegiate, and a 12th place in a cat 5. I always hear to cat up asap, but do I fall under this rule with all the poor finishes I've racked up? My season is nearly over, but I sure do think I need more time before going to 4. I don't think college C is even an option. Am I an exception to the rule, or is it time to HTFU and apply to be 4/d?
Flame on
Flame on
#2
Announcer
The jump to Cat IV isn't going to kill you.
If you've managed to live through what you've done so far, that's all you need to know to graduate.
The next jumps to 3 and beyond will be harder. Don't obsess over this one.
If you've managed to live through what you've done so far, that's all you need to know to graduate.
The next jumps to 3 and beyond will be harder. Don't obsess over this one.
#3
Genetics have failed me
The speed difference between the 5 and the 4's are marginal at best. I upgraded right after my 10 mass starts and do not see any avg speed enhancements.
Now trying to hang with the 1's and 2's in the Masters 30+ is a whooooole nother story. I was dropped after about 2 miles into the crit.
Now trying to hang with the 1's and 2's in the Masters 30+ is a whooooole nother story. I was dropped after about 2 miles into the crit.
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Gelato aficionado.
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here's a good example
https://tourdesyracuse.com/wp-content...scriterium.pdf
check out the times of the winners (especially in the cat5 35+) and calculate the average speed over total distance. might be surprised.
https://tourdesyracuse.com/wp-content...scriterium.pdf
check out the times of the winners (especially in the cat5 35+) and calculate the average speed over total distance. might be surprised.
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The difference between 4 and 5 is experience, not fitness or speed.
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Bring the pain.
Bring the pain.
#8
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Bingo.
For me, I upgraded into a race series where I was with master's 3/4. The difference in speed wasn't noticeable. The quality of racing was. I had to up my game in a major way. It was great. I don't race because I'm in contention for the money, rather, for the challenge. The challenge in cat 5 was mostly to my patience.
For me, I upgraded into a race series where I was with master's 3/4. The difference in speed wasn't noticeable. The quality of racing was. I had to up my game in a major way. It was great. I don't race because I'm in contention for the money, rather, for the challenge. The challenge in cat 5 was mostly to my patience.
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Do it. I've only had mid pack finishes in my 5's races. I got to 13 & upgraded. Just did a 4/5 & 3/4 race last night. Guess what, pack finishes. Just do it. Don't stay in the kiddie pool. It's only there for experience, not for placing.
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here's a good example
https://tourdesyracuse.com/wp-content...scriterium.pdf
check out the times of the winners (especially in the cat5 35+) and calculate the average speed over total distance. might be surprised.
https://tourdesyracuse.com/wp-content...scriterium.pdf
check out the times of the winners (especially in the cat5 35+) and calculate the average speed over total distance. might be surprised.
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upgrade when you're ready. if you were winning or placing in your races and didnt want to upgrade, then that would be uber lame, but if you're barely hanging on and not confident in your abilities, hang out in cat 5/whatever noob college category is until you are confident in your abilities.
#13
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With respect to conditioning, I'm looking more at the occasions of "success" (i.e., number of times that you placed) and less at moments of not sticking with the pack. It suggests enough to upgrade.
But, MDcatV raises a good perspective. Do you feel ready? Are you confident enough to make the leap? Are your bike handling and pack riding skills ok? (And, I'm sure there are other questions to consider.) Trust your gut. If all is left to decide is taking a leap of faith, then take it...else, wait until you are ready...no rush...do it right...good luck!!!
But, MDcatV raises a good perspective. Do you feel ready? Are you confident enough to make the leap? Are your bike handling and pack riding skills ok? (And, I'm sure there are other questions to consider.) Trust your gut. If all is left to decide is taking a leap of faith, then take it...else, wait until you are ready...no rush...do it right...good luck!!!
#14
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With respect to conditioning, I'm looking more at the occasions of "success" (i.e., number of times that you placed) and less at moments of not sticking with the pack. It suggests enough to upgrade.
But, MDcatV raises a good perspective. Do you feel ready? Are you confident enough to make the leap? Are your bike handling and pack riding skills ok? (And, I'm sure there are other questions to consider.) Trust your gut. If all is left to decide is taking a leap of faith, then take it...else, wait until you are ready...no rush...do it right...good luck!!!
But, MDcatV raises a good perspective. Do you feel ready? Are you confident enough to make the leap? Are your bike handling and pack riding skills ok? (And, I'm sure there are other questions to consider.) Trust your gut. If all is left to decide is taking a leap of faith, then take it...else, wait until you are ready...no rush...do it right...good luck!!!
I am getting better with group handling. My coach told me that I'd be pretty strong if I'd hold a wheel a little closer (have alot of watts and work myself too hard). I don't push the group envelope. The awesome younger guys on my college team try to get me to bump around with them on group rides so I will become more confident in tight spots, instead of being so timid. I strongly doubt I'm what you'd consider one of the "sketchier" cat 5's.
I only have a couple of races left this year, but it sounds like I should upgrade when I get the license next year. I do intend on staying in collegiate D so I can become more of a points threat. I'd be fodder at best in c's, I believe. After a year of results that were less than spectacular, I thank you all for the encouragement. I see where I could improve my results with less d-bag manuevers around me and I have decent endurance (for the longer races). I have made the decision!
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You can't do D's as a 4. C's is a 4/5 category. Make the jump. You can do it.
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https://www.usacycling.org/forms/coll...e_rulebook.pdf
p. 165
sorry, i can't copy the chart and retain formatting..
p. 165
sorry, i can't copy the chart and retain formatting..
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If you can score points in D's, you should also score in some C's races. Top D racers belong in C's anyway. D is meant for an introductory season/couple of races only.
Does your school really limit participation based on a guess of who will score that weekend? That doesn't seem to follow collegiate racing's "let's get everyone involved" attitude.
Does your school really limit participation based on a guess of who will score that weekend? That doesn't seem to follow collegiate racing's "let's get everyone involved" attitude.
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If you can score points in D's, you should also score in some C's races. Top D racers belong in C's anyway. D is meant for an introductory season/couple of races only.
Does your school really limit participation based on a guess of who will score that weekend? That doesn't seem to follow collegiate racing's "let's get everyone involved" attitude.
Does your school really limit participation based on a guess of who will score that weekend? That doesn't seem to follow collegiate racing's "let's get everyone involved" attitude.
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You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
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At least points go deeper in C's than in D's.
D's is more or less (depending on the conference) an intro category. While it's nice to be able do well, generally, it's pretty lame to be a sandbagger in D's.
D's is more or less (depending on the conference) an intro category. While it's nice to be able do well, generally, it's pretty lame to be a sandbagger in D's.
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Yeah, to echo above, it took about half an hour to stop laughing at him after my teammate told me he wont the overall in D's a year or two ago.