Too old to race?
08-29-12, 09:12 AM
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Painville, USA
Posts: 1,914
Bikes: 2007 Tarmac Pro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Too old to race?
I'm 49, back to riding after 10 years. 20 years ago I was a Cat-3, but I know I can't ride with the young guns now, esp in the hills.
Does USA Cycling have a Geritol category these days?
Does USA Cycling have a Geritol category these days?
08-29-12, 09:28 AM
#3
soon to be gsteinc...
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Nayr497's BFF
Posts: 8,564
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Screw that, race category...
Just work your way back into it, there is no reason you can't be competitive again.
Just work your way back into it, there is no reason you can't be competitive again.
08-29-12, 09:40 AM
#4
I need speed
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 5,550
Bikes: Giant Propel, Cervelo P2
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
You ask that question at 49? Sheesh! There are people over 50 racing Cat1. Get training. And check out this sub-forum, since you almost qualify:
https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...ll-Disciplines)
https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...ll-Disciplines)
08-29-12, 11:15 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Around here M45+ is almost always harder than Cat 3. Safer and smoother but harder.
08-29-12, 11:17 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Santa Cruz Mountains
Posts: 6,169
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Depending on your location there may be a lot of M45 cat 4 or cat 4/5 fields in races. M45 cat 4 is often the fastest filling field in NorCal.
If you have your old USCF licence number you may be able to convince the district rep to reinstate you. But as a 3 you'd be racing with the M45 1/2/3 guys and they're really fit. It might be better to downgrade to cat 4, or just start over as cat 5. That's what I did when I came back after 20 years. Since we have a lot of M45 4/5 or 5 fields I didn't race open cat 5 often. The M45 5s are more experienced than open 5s on average and less likely to do something dumb. I mostly do climbing races instead of crits, so I did not find the few inexperienced m45 5s to be a problem as they'd be dropped on the first hill.
If you have your old USCF licence number you may be able to convince the district rep to reinstate you. But as a 3 you'd be racing with the M45 1/2/3 guys and they're really fit. It might be better to downgrade to cat 4, or just start over as cat 5. That's what I did when I came back after 20 years. Since we have a lot of M45 4/5 or 5 fields I didn't race open cat 5 often. The M45 5s are more experienced than open 5s on average and less likely to do something dumb. I mostly do climbing races instead of crits, so I did not find the few inexperienced m45 5s to be a problem as they'd be dropped on the first hill.
08-29-12, 11:54 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Franklin, TN
Posts: 3,385
Bikes: It has two wheels
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I started racing at 47 and never raced previously. So no...not too old. I suck but you'll likely do a lot better if you've done it before. Just do it.
08-29-12, 01:00 PM
#12
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,295
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1441 Post(s)
Liked 710 Times
in
364 Posts
I'd just renew my old license number, assuming USA Cycling still has you in its record. Go out and race Cat 3. If you're not close to being competitive, then ask to downgrade to Cat 4.
I'd try to avoid starting over as a Cat 5. Better to avoid doing the 10 Cat 5 races if you can.
I'd try to avoid starting over as a Cat 5. Better to avoid doing the 10 Cat 5 races if you can.
__________________
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.
08-29-12, 03:10 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 2,606
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Agreed, you're not too old by a long-shot. There's guys 10 and 15 years older than me, I'm 47, that make me question whether I'm too young to race. Get out there. GL
08-29-12, 03:19 PM
#15
Banned.
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: ohioland/right near hicville farmtown
Posts: 4,813
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
You ask that question at 49? Sheesh! There are people over 50 racing Cat1. Get training. And check out this sub-forum, since you almost qualify:
https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...ll-Disciplines)
https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...ll-Disciplines)
Theres a local 52 year old who kicks my ass in almost every race
08-29-12, 04:15 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Beautiful Long Beach California
Posts: 3,589
Bikes: Eddy Merckx San Remo 76, Eddy Merckx San Remo 76 - Black Silver and Red, Eddy Merckx Sallanches 64 (2); Eddy Merckx MXL;
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 143 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Something doesn't ring true about your post. Back to riding after 10 years but you have over 1,500 posts?
08-30-12, 11:46 AM
#21
fair weather cyclist
Well isn't 40+ pretty competitive?
I think you would rather race with 40+ than cat3 anyway, even if they are roughly the same speed.
But i wouldn't want to start at cat5 either.
I think you would rather race with 40+ than cat3 anyway, even if they are roughly the same speed.
But i wouldn't want to start at cat5 either.
Last edited by pjcampbell; 08-30-12 at 11:49 AM.
09-03-12, 08:00 PM
#22
Announcer
It's a common mistake to think that the older guys are more mellow.
To answer your question: 49 is not too old to race.
To point out your age..... you referenced Geritol. Do you still watch The Lawrence Welk Show? ha ha ha ha ha ha
Just kidding.
To answer your question: 49 is not too old to race.
To point out your age..... you referenced Geritol. Do you still watch The Lawrence Welk Show? ha ha ha ha ha ha
Just kidding.
09-07-12, 09:21 PM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,246
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8259 Post(s)
Liked 8,990 Times
in
4,452 Posts
09-07-12, 10:50 PM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,277
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I know a guy who is racing in a 65+ category. He is in his mid to early 70s. I met a guy who races in Boulder who was freaking fast as hell and races. Dude is 65 as well.
They do tend to opt out of crits.
They do tend to opt out of crits.
