Road Bike Racing - What catagory rider are you?

Just wondering what talent we have here.

I also made the poll public

You realize that this poll will only be good for riders in NA.

Where's the retired category?

'Talent'?

Deux

'Talent'?

Well, maybe ability would've been a better description to use.

Well, maybe ability would've been a better description to use.

Well, that's not it either. If I cared to, and took the time, I'm sure could upgrade from 3 to 2 this season (I have the ability). Since I'm 37 this year, I can race competitively in M35+ against 2s and 3s, and have more fun in shorter, faster races. The strategy is much more P/1/2 style, so it's a lot of fun.

I think the poll illustrates commitment much more than talent or ability. My commitment: 6 hours/wk = Cat 3 contender.

I think the poll illustrates commitment much more than talent or ability. My commitment: 6 hours/wk = Cat 3 contender.

My commitment: 10 hours a week or more in season = Cat 5 also-ran.

I went from a 5-3 in about 2 hours a week plus racing. Seiously, 1 practice crit and 1 25 mile ride a week, race Saturday and Sunday. Although I'm not deluded and have been at around 10 hours a week since September since I know the 3's takes some more fitness.

Where is the sandbagger category?

I follow WaterRocket's reasoning.

'Talent'?

I voted 4, but im holding out hope for a new Cat 6 ranking.

Where is the sandbagger category?

I follow WaterRocket's reasoning.

keep trying to validate your sandbaggery

I think the poll question was about as strait forward as you can get, fwiw.

Cat 4 --> Cat 3 here. There's no talent, ability, or commitment on my end. Just average local pack fodder. :rolleyes:

My commitment: 10 hours a week or more in season = Cat 5 also-ran.

Yeah, but at this point I've got over 150,000 miles in my legs, so I can get away with it I guess.

If there was one probably a cat 6. I'd get dropped by the 5's

I just wish there were more races close to me so I could get more races in and have a better shot at upgrading. It sucks driving 300 - 400 miles a weekend to race. :(

Hopefully I'll find enough gas money to make it to a cat 3 this year. :o

Cat 3 and 30/35+

You realize that this poll will only be good for riders in NA.

You mean there's more to the world than just us? :eek:

You mean there's more to the world than just us? :eek:

Don't worry, those other people don't use the internet anyway. ;)

Negative 8.

Oh yeah, and why no pro category? I guess those guys ride while we're posting, huh?

Does anyone have the USCF membership breakdown of 1/2/3/4/5?

Does anyone have the USCF membership breakdown of 1/2/3/4/5?
USCF? No such thing :D

Oops. Some acronym is USCF. Does anyone have the USAC breakdown?

cat 27 oh yeah!!!

I just wish there were more races close to me so I could get more races in and have a better shot at upgrading. It sucks driving 300 - 400 miles a weekend to race. :(

Hopefully I'll find enough gas money to make it to a cat 3 this year. :o

from the way the season ended last year it seems like there are going to be more races in WV this year. If I remember correctly there were a couple first time races out that way including a stage race that they are planning on running with again this year.

Hi,

Cat. 3 but I only raced Masters last year (racing age = 51 this year). I might try racing a 3s race or two this year just to see how guys half my age are going these days. ;)

Cat 4. 40 years old. I'll be racing both Cat 4 and Masters. Masters seems harder, at least around here.

from the way the season ended last year it seems like there are going to be more races in WV this year. If I remember correctly there were a couple first time races out that way including a stage race that they are planning on running with again this year.

There is rumor of a ten race series but as far as I know nothing is definite yet. I hope it works out though, those races are only about 150 or so miles away from me.

Not the USAC, but here is the OBRA (Oregon Bike Racing Assoc.) breakdown of riders by Cat:

I 62 2.5%
II 218 8.7%
III 574 23%
IV 822 32.9%
V 824 33%

Total 2500

I've heard that Oregon, or maybe it is the Portland metro area has the highest number of bike racers per capita in the US, but I don't know if it is true.

There is rumor of a ten race series but as far as I know nothing is definite yet. I hope it works out though, those races are only about 150 or so miles away from me.

looking at my emails from last season I found emails relating to races in the following

Barbour Detour held in Philippi, WV
Kasson, WV
Buckhannon, WV.
Mountaineer Stage Race philippi

I did the barbour detour last year. That was a tough race with a couple of tight turns at the finish. I had a lot of fun at that one.

so who here are the Cat 1's here among us?

Pretty sure Pizzaman is one.

i'm but a simple c-class group rider.

so who here are the Cat 1's here among us?

Yes, but am 43yo and already seen the epic years.

so who here are the Cat 1's here among us?

View poll results shows:

Pizza Man, YMCA

listed as cat 1.

edit: too slow to race, too slow to post

i'm but a simple c-class group rider.

We'll get matching mirrors.

so who here are the Cat 1's here among us?

PizzaMan and YMCA clicked it so far. You should be able to click the numbers and see who has voted for what.

*wow am I slow, no wonder I'm a cat 4. :o

Oh, and for the record, I will probably be a Cat 4 Domestique this year. The last time I raced it actually was called the USCF!

Oh, and for the record, I will probably be a Cat 4 Domestique this year. The last time I raced it actually was called the USCF!

Huh? What's it called now?

i dont race and i dont crush sould on group rides.

Am i the only junior?

Am i the only junior?

I was 18 less than 6 months ago... but I think that doesn't count.

but so far, yes :)

We'll get matching mirrors.

King James' bootstraps! That sounds fantabulous!

We'll get matching mirrors.

Don't forget...

http://www.mark-ju.net/images/feet.jpg

King James' bootstraps! That sounds fantabulous!

You guys are starting to sound a little fruity.

No option for those of us just getting ready to strap on a Cat-5-o-meter? Oh, my bad, you were looking to measure talent, not the complete lack thereof. :o

Huh? What's it called now?
USAC. I guess USCF was an acronym for something else so they changed it to avoid any confusion. I don't know the details because I was out of the loop during this transition. A quick yahoo search shows USCF as being the United States Chess Federation, but also brings up the USA Cycling website as well.

I know that my local velodrome association changed its name shortly before I started racing. It was the Southern California Cycling Association, which turned out to have the same acronym as the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) so to avoid confusion, they switched association to federation to make it SCCF.

Don't forget...

http://www.mark-ju.net/images/feet.jpg

Do those come in natural leather? I want the best for the environment, regardless durability or my personal comfort.

No option for those of us just getting ready to strap on a Cat-5-o-meter? Oh, my bad, you were looking to measure talent, not the complete lack thereof. :o

True. I don't remember seeing a "I brought my own anal lube" category.