Road Bike Racing - Elite 5's?

What does it mean when a race only has an Elite 5 race? Does that mean there is no race for us run of the mill mud sucking 5's? I am 50 but just started in cat 5 and am having a blast. The 50+ race I tried was way to fast for me.

sounds like an oxymoron to me. Problem you have as a new racer at a master's age is you ride Cat 5 against 20 year olds, or Masters against former Cat 1 and 2's.

Some areas have Masters Cat 4/5 races which would be a good fit for you (and me).

I just asked this question of Vinokurtov. He races in the Elite 3's and I was wondering what the heck an "Elite" catagory was. Down here in the middle O' Texas we only got ourselves 5/4/3/2/1 Pro and mix of Masters classes.

What ever it is it sure sounds important. I'm not just plain old cat 5 I'm an Elite cat 5!!!

Promoter is trying to tart up the event/keep numbers in check, although this seems strange if s/he can hold up enough newbs to underwrite everything else. Don't hesitate to enter. 99% of the time, they'll be glad to take your entry fee. Cat 5's are still Cat 5's, even if a few are a little fitter and more experienced.

"Elite 5" is an oxymoron to rank right up there with "military intelligence."

What does it mean when a race only has an Elite 5 race? Does that mean there is no race for us run of the mill mud sucking 5's? I am 50 but just started in cat 5 and am having a blast. The 50+ race I tried was way to fast for me.

"Elite" is a term used to cover everybody who's not old (Masters) or young (Juniors). It's really "open" to any Cat 5 that wants to race it.

Not surprised about the 50+ race being too fast. You're racing against Cat 1 guys. Old does not mean slow.

"Elite" is a term used to cover everybody who's not old (Masters) or young (Juniors). It's really "open" to any Cat 5 that wants to race it.

Not surprised about the 50+ race being too fast. You're racing against Cat 1 guys. Old does not mean slow.

Remember 50 is the new 40!

Listen up...

I placed 6th in my first Cat 5 criterium, so I consider myself an "Elite" cat 5 racer :rolleyes:

Doesn't matter that half the field were wearing t-shirts, racing in Chuck Converse All-Stars, or had mirrors attached to their helmets, I placed, therefore, I am, ELITE. :D

Mark

L337? They are the Roxxo/2s of t3H c@t5'z.

Th3\/ pWn joo.
....../

"Elite 5's" I was opening the thread thinking some new wheel set or something, instead it's my laugh for the day.

Old does not mean slow.

Those greybeards will ride your legs off.

elites used to be called seniors back in the old days as opposed to juniors and masters were called veterans (how appropriate)

I have no problem hanging with the Cat 5 guys even though I didnt see any Converese or helmet mirrors. And yes the 50+ open race was blazing fast and high quality pack racing, just too fast for me at this point. The most twitchy group of racers in our area seem to be cat 4 always seems to be the most carnage in their group.

The most twitchy group of racers in our area seem to be cat 4 always seems to be the most carnage in their group.

Interesting observation as most on this site listed Safety as a reason to upgrade ASAP. Is this similar in other regions?

Interesting observation as most on this site listed Safety as a reason to upgrade ASAP. Is this similar in other regions?

Here I think the 5's are actually safer than the 4's and 3's (I'm only talking RR's not crits). My guess is two fold. First I think that most 5's are so conscious about the reputation of the class that they are more attentive. Second I think that the races tend to end with sprints of 2-5 riders instead of really big groups because the fast guys just drop everyone at the end.

The most twitchy group of racers in our area seem to be cat 4 always seems to be the most carnage in their group.

Like others have said, "Elite" just means any age can race.
We have a lot of races around here with 35+ 4/5 and even several with 45+ 4/5 fields.

I think that there is probably more carnage in the Cat 4 than in Cat 5 because the racers have a lot more confidence than in the 5's, but not a lot more skill, and are taking more chances. Also, in Cat 5 there's no incentive to sprint for 4th, 5th etc since there are no upgrade points, but in Cat 4 guys need the top 10's to move up.

I have done both a 45+ 1/2/3/4 and a 35+ 4/5 race this season. The 35+ was a lot easier than the 45+ as a lot of these guys are ex-Pro/1/2 level racers. I'm looking forward to this weekend and seeing how I fare in a 45+ 4/5 race.

According to USCF 'Elite' means age 23-29.

According to USCF 'Elite' means age 23-29.

If they only have an elite Cat 5 race does that mean there is no cat 5 race for me?

curiouskid55, do the CBR Domingez Hills crit. They have a masters 40+ 4/5 race that would be a better option for you (IMO). I race the 50+ and then I do that race and it is noticbly slower without too many sketchy riders, given their age etc. Also it's an easy and safe course that is used to host a bunch of races over the course of the season. So you can have a familiar course to get your racing skills dialed in.

I don't know if you do any of the S. Cal groups rides, but you should probably find one that suits you. You'll learn a lot without having to pay to do it. The Rose Bowl ride has already started (unoffically). It's a good place to try and hang with the pace of the group without any terrain issues.

Yeah then there is work. 7 to 5 daily. Typically we staionary train Mon. after work (it's already dark), take Tues off, Train in garage again Wednesday, Train at Bicycle Johns with Sandra Kolb (last years Socal all around best rider), Take friday off, Then ride with wife saturday, (Griffith Park, San Gabriel Trail, La Tuna -Glendale Loop, or some such 20- 30 mile ride. Sunday is race day. If weather holds am definately doin Domingues Cat 5 . Doubt if I would have the energy to ride the very next ride on the schedule.. good luck on Sun. Hope the weather is not crappy.

curious- you should do the montrose ride on sat mornings. last week it looked like we had about 250 riders. big groups rides like that and the rose bowl are important to get some good speed work and alot of pack riding experience. on sunday you can race and go for a ride with your wife after. you'll probably double your weekly mileage and see a big improvement in your racing

Went to Griffith Park Zoo parking lot early Sat morning with rain threatening to run some cornering drills. Worked out pretty good, there wasn't a single car there when I started. Was able to get up to 20-22 then take flat 90 degree turns around the planters the trees are in. Had a decent rectangular circuit. Did about 12 miles of drilling in the parking lot going both directions. Kept going in the rain since it was likely to rain on race day. Built up some confidence and got used to how much room is needed to corner around twenty mph.

Race day Sunday morning. Cat 5's start at 7 got up at 4 get up and going have breakfast at the Coral in Burbank, becoming race day tradition. Off to Dominguez Hills around 5:15 get there about 6. It is dark and below 40 . Jeepers its f'n cold.Stay in car until more people show up then get out to warm up.

Course is open so about 15 minutes before race everyone is taking laps to finish warm up. Solidify confidence in the corners. To the line for pre-race Cat 5 seminar then one more warm up lap and back to the line. Get up clost to the front inside and the whistle and we're rolling.

Easy accelleration to first turn, through on inside no problem continue to accelerate toawrds turn two, pack is up to speed and try to settle in for a good race.

Doing well not struggling but still not riding smart enough. I waste a lot of energy being out of the draft and standing to close gaps. Then over accelerate and coast to not over run leaders. Wind up all over the pack. Near the front , all the way back. inside outside you name it. Wasting a lot of energy being impatient passing for no reason. Losing position for no reason.Following the wrong guy passing the wrong guy . Using alot of energy as the pack surges through turns. Just so much going on. Just reacting not thinking.

Any way having fun staying with the pack and attacking the corners. Feel really good good much more comfortable in close riding and cornering on inside . Two laps to go.

One lap to go . into turn one and I dont know what happened. As we are about mid stretch to turn two and everybody is gone. I'm not sure but I guess I didnt notice the acceleration because of the guy I was following . Now they are way gone crap. I turn it on but way too late. I never get off the saddle. What are you sitting there on your butt for? Saving it for next week?

Any way at least I can see the pack this week when they finish and I am not too far behind. Learning lots of good lessons also. And I finally achieved my three primary goals in a race. Survive. Finish. Don't Finish Last. Next race I am going to add "Finish in the Pack" to primary goals.