Road Bike Racing - A guide to racing categories.

I figured I would give my experience within the categories. I am currently a cat3, and could have my upgrade to 2 next season if I tried. In Montana, we race the 3's with the pro/1/2's due to field size. I have also raced cat3 only races as well, so that's where my upper category insight comes from.

Category (cat5) - The races are anywhere from 35-60 miles long. Usually you will race with the cat4's. Expect some fast guys trying to eek their way through to the upper categories... They will usually be the ones NOT pulling, but near the front. The guy that gets bored and takes massive pulls at the front will usually be dropped in the wind up for the sprint. If there are climbs in your race, there will be attacks on the first few ups, so be ready and near the front. If a break away succeeds, it's usually because it got away on a longer hill. As a cat5, try everything! Sit and watch, go take some pulls, shake things up with an attack or two. Get as much experience as you can in the 10 races you need to do before you upgrade to cat4.

Cat4 - Usually the same as the cat5's, but you know who's who and who/what to watch for. Try to be near the front. It keeps you somewhat crash free, and it's less work than the constant yo-yoing in the middle or back of the pack. Leave the attacking to somebody else! The only thing you need to do is make sure nobody of importance gets away. If you're in the front all of the time, you're not dropped. If you find yourself still in the top 10 in the last Km of the race, congrats! Now comes the fun. Someone is bound to get antsy and throw down a little past the Km sign. Depending on your strengths, that's your boy. Be 4 riders back from that guy. He'll realize the error of his ways, and probably slow down at the 600m, and that usually makes someone else go for it. Get on them, and wait for the 200m sign... It's up to you from there.

Cat3 - The races become longer - usually 60-90+ miles. Things can get strange from here on. Teams come into play, and tactics become important. Find a team and start training with them as you learn the game. Your first few races might see you working your ass off to get somebody else across the line, so don't expect much in the win category. If you don't have a team, don't waste your energy. Sit in and get near the front (recurring theme). Make yourself invisible until it counts! Riders are finding their strengths and they know how to make people hurt, and same goes for you. If you find yourself in a break and you're a climber, you have it easier. Wait for a hill, get on the front, and rain the pain. Climbing is slower (duh) so drafting becomes almost non-existent. If you hurt, they hurt. When the hill crests, let the other guys take over and save yourself for the finish.

Cat1/2/pro - These categories are fast on a whole new level - A level that can leave you scratching your head as the rest of the group rides into the distance. You're racing with pros. Think about that before you do anything stupid... But by now, you should have a team and know your responsibilities. If you feel like you can't do your job for a certain race, SAY SOMETHING, as your teammates are counting on you to do a job. Not doing that job can ruin the race for the team, and possibly send you looking for a new kit.

If anyone can add or subtract anything, I welcome it.

Sticky this maybe?

The only thing I could add is that the pack handling skills are noticeably improved in the p/1/2 fields. Much tighter than the 3's without the jostling.

True dat.

Cat 5: Expect to get beat by some dude on a bike that's worth 1/5th the value of your own, and expect to beat some dudes on bikes worth 4x your own. Then wonder why everyone is so worried about having nicer bikes.

Forgot to add that starting with CAT 3s you got to be careful when riding at the back of the pack... Folks are just now learing how to pee while riding and nothing will ruin your day than a face full of urine.

I figured I would give my experience within the categories. I am currently a cat3, and could have my upgrade to 2 next season if I tried. In Montana, we race the 3's with the pro/1/2's due to field size. I have also raced cat3 only races as well, so that's where my upper category insight comes from.

Category (cat5) - The races are anywhere from 35-60 miles long. Usually you will race with the cat4's. Expect some fast guys trying to eek their way through to the upper categories... They will usually be the ones NOT pulling, but near the front. The guy that gets bored and takes massive pulls at the front will usually be dropped in the wind up for the sprint. If there are climbs in your race, there will be attacks on the first few ups, so be ready and near the front. If a break away succeeds, it's usually because it got away on a longer hill. As a cat5, try everything! Sit and watch, go take some pulls, shake things up with an attack or two. Get as much experience as you can in the 10 races you need to do before you upgrade to cat4.

Cat4 - Usually the same as the cat5's, but you know who's who and who/what to watch for. Try to be near the front. It keeps you somewhat crash free, and it's less work than the constant yo-yoing in the middle or back of the pack. Leave the attacking to somebody else! The only thing you need to do is make sure nobody of importance gets away. If you're in the front all of the time, you're not dropped. If you find yourself still in the top 10 in the last Km of the race, congrats! Now comes the fun. Someone is bound to get antsy and throw down a little past the Km sign. Depending on your strengths, that's your boy. Be 4 riders back from that guy. He'll realize the error of his ways, and probably slow down at the 600m, and that usually makes someone else go for it. Get on them, and wait for the 200m sign... It's up to you from there.

Cat3 - The races become longer - usually 60-90+ miles. Things can get strange from here on. Teams come into play, and tactics become important. Find a team and start training with them as you learn the game. Your first few races might see you working your ass off to get somebody else across the line, so don't expect much in the win category. If you don't have a team, don't waste your energy. Sit in and get near the front (recurring theme). Make yourself invisible until it counts! Riders are finding their strengths and they know how to make people hurt, and same goes for you. If you find yourself in a break and you're a climber, you have it easier. Wait for a hill, get on the front, and rain the pain. Climbing is slower (duh) so drafting becomes almost non-existent. If you hurt, they hurt. When the hill crests, let the other guys take over and save yourself for the finish.

Cat1/2/pro - These categories are fast on a whole new level - A level that can leave you scratching your head as the rest of the group rides into the distance. You're racing with pros. Think about that before you do anything stupid... But by now, you should have a team and know your responsibilities. If you feel like you can't do your job for a certain race, SAY SOMETHING, as your teammates are counting on you to do a job. Not doing that job can ruin the race for the team, and possibly send you looking for a new kit.

If anyone can add or subtract anything, I welcome it.

Sticky this maybe?

Hello Cypress,

In the holy land of criteriums, you could halve those numbers twice and they still might be a bit long. If I do a 50+ and a 40+ race on the same day I'm looking at 30-45 miles total at 25-27 MPH average.

Cat 4/5 races are not any longer than my races and sometimes they're shorter.

The few road races that we have here are longer but I can't think of any Cat 3 road races that are much longer than 100K and most are shorter.

Forgot to add that starting with CAT 3s you got to be careful when riding at the back of the pack... Folks are just now learing how to pee while riding and nothing will ruin your day than a face full of urine.

bah, my last cat 4 race someone stood up in the middle of the peloton, I just happened to be right behind him, and let it rip... I NEVER rode behind him again and I'll never forget who it was! go to the back first, please.

The few road races that we have here are longer but I can't think of any Cat 3 road races that are much longer than 100K and most are shorter.

I'm sure this varies a lot from district to district, most cat 3 road races in northern CA are 60+ miles, most cat4 RR's are 40-60.

Cat3 (Elites) can be expected to ride into solid objects for no apparent reason, other than they forgot to turn. Cat 4/5's will do the same, only with moving objects also.

As a 5 you can expect to have your ass handed to you by someone who may never have done a road race/crit before. Probably a triathlete or mountain biker. Maybe a professional tri or MTBer.
This comment can be completely disregarded if you ARE a pro tri or MTBer.

As a 5 you can expect to have your ass handed to you by someone who may never have done a road race/crit before. Probably a triathlete or mountain biker. Maybe a professional tri or MTBer.
This comment can be completely disregarded if you ARE a pro tri or MTBer.

True story. There is a guy I know here in SoCal who races Semi-Pro in the mountains, but hasn't done enough road races to upgrade to the 4's. The USCF won't let him upgrade based on his XC or Cross results. Lame.

BUT, he does have a sweet mullet and an incredible mustache.

Good description. Although I'd disagree with the "leave attacking to someone else" in Cat 4, why?

By attacking and even riding like a knucklehead to some degree you learn about your own strengths and weaknesses to apply at future and the next level(s) of racing. Also, in my opinion makes it more fun, especially if you get out of sight out of mind - even just once.

True story. There is a guy I know here in SoCal who races Semi-Pro in the mountains, but hasn't done enough road races to upgrade to the 4's. The USCF won't let him upgrade based on his XC or Cross results. Lame.

BUT, he does have a sweet mullet and an incredible mustache.

I did a few races against Jeff Shalk (pro mtb w/Trek) when I was a 4. I kept wondering who was the dude on the front laying down the wicked pace that no one could come around, I think it kind of cool to have been racing against that level fitness in a rider.

The guy that gets bored and takes massive pulls at the front will usually be dropped in the wind up for the sprint.

I see you've raced with me on numerous occasions.

/still learning to resist the urge to pull the pack around

In Ohio, the road races are nowhere near that long.
Cat 5 - 35-45 miles
Cat 4 - 35-55 miles
Cat 3 - 40-75 miles (ok, ONE race was 75 miles. They usually cap at less than 60)
Cat 1/2/3 - 50-75 miles


FWIW the cat 4 pack seems the biggest, with the 3's and 5's behind. No one wants to upgrade to cat 2 around here so their races are usually under attended (20-30 racers if lucky) and won by either Abercrombie & Fitch or Kirk of Texas Roadhouse.


Oh and take the miles, convert them to minutes and that's about what our crits are.

Good post Cypress!

Need to add M35+:
Usually faster than the 3s, but slightly shorter distance (45-60 minute crits, 40-50 mile RRs). Lead by Cat 2s who don't feel like racing 106 miles on Saturday. Decent field sizes (in TX, >40). A lot of varying abilities here, but the guys who are 3s can generally keep up with the main field. The 4s have a tough time. You find a lot of guys who aren't that strong, but are VERY smart doing well. Tactics are near the P/1/2 level, with many team members having assignments and carrying them out. This is where guys like myself end up -- I'm strong enough to get upgrade points in the 3s, but have no desire to race 106 miles on Saturday as a Cat 2.

M35+ is like a fantasy bike racing camp -- feels like the pros, but it's accessible.

Do I hear CAT6? I'd really like to downgrade. :D

At "35-60 miles" I figured the whole post was a joke.

I haven't raced a race longer than 35 miles in the last I don't know how many years and I'm a 3. Around here 5's get about 10 miles max. 4's maybe 15-20 miles. 3s get 15-25 miles. For crits anyway.

Road races... I don't enter them.

cdr

are you crits time or distance based? 10 miles = what, 25 minutes?

Our Cat4/5 road races are 40-50miles, ive raced as much as 60.
the crits are 45min to an hour.

For the grand ol' BF record, It ought to be noted that this is the American system. It's all subtly different o'er here.

It's the little differences. I mean they got the same s**t over there that they got here, but it's just - it's just there it's a little different.

As a 5 you can expect to have your ass handed to you by someone who may never have done a road race/crit before. Probably a triathlete or mountain biker. Maybe a professional tri or MTBer.
This comment can be completely disregarded if you ARE a pro tri or MTBer.

Or the random foreigner who shows up with his British Cycling Cat 1 license and gets blank looks from the race officials who don't understand that there are countries other than America or why exactly it is they've all got UCI numbers on. So he has to ride on a day licence as 'unattached.' :)

(no, I haven't got a British Cycling Cat 1 licence... :( )

are you crits time or distance based? 10 miles = what, 25 minutes?

Around there. We gave Cat 5s 30 min + 5 laps (of a 0.8ish mile course with a short hill). Two races each week since field limit for 5s is 50 and we'd get more than 50 usually. This year it'll be distance based, not time based, so perhaps 20 laps (which is what they'd do anyway).

It's also illegal to give Cat 5 prize money, primes worth anything (whether cash or merchandise), etc. Really sucks actually, being a 5. But I guess it's motivation to move up.

If I could be a Cat 5 road racer, I would. But even those guys out climb me because I've gotten dropped by them. So I'm a Cat 6, maybe a Cat 7, road racer :(

cdr

Need to add M35+:
Usually faster than the 3s

Around here the M35s are faster than the 3s by a long shot. If the race is shorter than the P12s then they might be faster than them (in NYC the M35s sometimes outpace the P123s for the first 3 mile lap or two).

M35s (and M40s and the like) seem to race more on fitness. They're not afraid of going out and trying to burn off wheelsuckers like me, and since the good guys are either 1s or 2s, well, their pace will be a 1-2 pace.

3s are more timid, more cautious, and more willing to sit. That plays into my hands. Plus I have a chance of finishing the race.

P12s are just balls out usually, except in longer races.

I almost always go with the 3s instead of a Masters race.

M40 qualified as of last year,
cdr

Around here the M35s are faster than the 3s by a long shot. cdr


Here also, plus they're way more smooth/skilled (except for Kelly Cup/Bikejam, which is the annual masters crash fest for some reason). Unfortunately, the #s in M30+ have dwindled in MABRA over the past few years as the guys who have typically focused more on Masters racing have started hitting 40 and the guys in their 30s seem to do more of the 1/2 thing. This has lead to most promoters either eliminating the M30 as they can add and fill another 4 or 4/5 race in its place, or combining the 30 and 40+ riders in to a separately scored race, which I hate. Although I find the M races more fun, as a 37 y.o. (racing age in 2008) C3, circumstance leaves me racing Sr. 3 most of the time.

Forgot to add that starting with CAT 3s you got to be careful when riding at the back of the pack... Folks are just now learing how to pee while riding and nothing will ruin your day than a face full of urine.
I never had that problem with urine, but I wasn't paying attention in a race when the wheel I was on slowed to get to the back of the pack. I was just focussed on his wheel when I suddenly realized he was drifting back on purpose. Too late, he turned and shot a snot rocket right into my face. I made a noise and he apologized, but in retrospect I should have been paying more attention.

I should have specified: The distances are for road races.

Around here the M35s are faster than the 3s by a long shot.

Ditto where I came from. During some of the stage races M35 guys were turning top ten NRC Pro TT times.

Hi,

When I started getting more serious about my racing (again) a 7 years ago, I'd enter 40+ crits and get dropped. Then I'd do the 3s race and stay in just fine. IMHO, 35+ to 45+ are the fastest races after the Pro/1/2 race. Now that I'm doing 50+ races, I see that they are noticeably slower. Maybe that's why I won a whole prime last year in one. ;) :o

Ditto where I came from. During some of the stage races M35 guys were turning top ten NRC Pro TT times.

Yeah, the big M35+ talent around here is busy chasing Olsens. Our masters riders who are near that level seem to just race P/1/2. We've got an M45+ guy who's one of the fastest TTers in the state (and 2005 Nat Road Champ) who just races P/1/2. Certainly our talent pool isn't as deep as CA or CO, so that plays into it too.

Still, M35+ here is faster than the 3s most of the time.

Yeah, the big M35+ talent around here is busy chasing Olsens. Our masters riders who are near that level seem to just race P/1/2. We've got an M45+ guy who's one of the fastest TTers in the state (and 2005 Nat Road Champ) who just races P/1/2. Certainly our talent pool isn't as deep as CA or CO, so that plays into it too.

Still, M35+ here is faster than the 3s most of the time.

Yeah. My friend's dad's team:

Steve Broglio - Illinois - Former West Virginia Go Mart and Jittery Joe's rider. Rolleur
Scott Cook - Illinois - Former Colorado Cyclist/7Up pro and Olympic trials track racer.
Jack Daugherty - Illinois - Cat 1. Race animator who gives riders fits.
Billy Dwyer - Illinois - Big boned Cat 2 track sprinter type
Tom Lobdell - Indiana - 60+ Legend and current USCF points race champion on track
Ian Lochridge - Tennessee - Track Master is always a threat to medal at track natz.
Chuck Moll - Indiana - 60+ senior member of the team and former USCF TT champ
Mike Moles - Indiana - Angry Johnnie is back and he's pissed! Cat 1. Aggressive rolleur
Terry Molewyk - Indiana - 50+ strong man and training partner for Rev. Billy
Chris Mosora - Illinois - Uber strong and a fast finisher. Cat 2
Sean O'Donnell - Indiana - Cat 2. Always finds a way into the break.
Russ Reed - Indiana - Tutored by The Legend is a force to be reckoned with on the road.
John Singleton - Indiana - Exceptionally fast track sprinter and likely track natz medalist.
Kelly Sparks - Indiana -2005 USCF points race champion. Aggressive time trialer and fast finisher.
Dave Stone - Illinois - Reigning 40+ road and crit champion in Illinois. Ya just can't cover him.
William H Stone - Hooterville - SuperWeek roomie, wine connoisseur and commentator on the human condition. Having Rev. Billy on the team decreases the odds that our team will be made fun of in his Truesport column, plus he's a damn fine 50+ racer.
Me - Illinois - Currently top USCF ranked master (all ages) time trial, road and stage race rider in IL.
Michael Zellmann - Illinois - Strong time trailer, aggressive rider and current 30+ IL crit champion.

That's from http://truesport.com/Bike/2008/articles/druber/druber01.html

My team is going to be strong, but fark me, not like that. Well, maybe.

Yeah. My friend's dad's team:

Steve Broglio - Illinois - Former West Virginia Go Mart and Jittery Joe's rider. Rolleur
Scott Cook - Illinois - Former Colorado Cyclist/7Up pro and Olympic trials track racer.
Jack Daugherty - Illinois - Cat 1. Race animator who gives riders fits.
Billy Dwyer - Illinois - Big boned Cat 2 track sprinter type
Tom Lobdell - Indiana - 60+ Legend and current USCF points race champion on track
Ian Lochridge - Tennessee - Track Master is always a threat to medal at track natz.
Chuck Moll - Indiana - 60+ senior member of the team and former USCF TT champ
Mike Moles - Indiana - Angry Johnnie is back and he's pissed! Cat 1. Aggressive rolleur
Terry Molewyk - Indiana - 50+ strong man and training partner for Rev. Billy
Chris Mosora - Illinois - Uber strong and a fast finisher. Cat 2
Sean O'Donnell - Indiana - Cat 2. Always finds a way into the break.
Russ Reed - Indiana - Tutored by The Legend is a force to be reckoned with on the road.
John Singleton - Indiana - Exceptionally fast track sprinter and likely track natz medalist.
Kelly Sparks - Indiana -2005 USCF points race champion. Aggressive time trialer and fast finisher.
Dave Stone - Illinois - Reigning 40+ road and crit champion in Illinois. Ya just can't cover him.
William H Stone - Hooterville - SuperWeek roomie, wine connoisseur and commentator on the human condition. Having Rev. Billy on the team decreases the odds that our team will be made fun of in his Truesport column, plus he's a damn fine 50+ racer.
Me - Illinois - Currently top USCF ranked master (all ages) time trial, road and stage race rider in IL.
Michael Zellmann - Illinois - Strong time trailer, aggressive rider and current 30+ IL crit champion.

That's from http://truesport.com/Bike/2008/articles/druber/druber01.html

My team is going to be strong, but fark me, not like that. Well, maybe.

Damn, that's ridiculous.

Also, sentences with "current" and "USCF" don't make sense to me.

Damn, that's ridiculous.

Also, sentences with "current" and "USCF" don't make sense to me.

It was written in the first person by Marc Swartzendruber, aka Druber.

He's the no. 1 ranked IL master on the USCF lists.

I think he's been on the podium for the TT at master's nats for 3 of the last 4 years.

kudude was talking about USAC/USCF

That would be what I'd call a deep talent pool :)

kudude was talking about USAC/USCF

That would be what I'd call a deep talent pool :)

Yeah for some reason people around here still call it USCF. Myself included.

About their team...they put a guy (at least one) on the podium at damn near every masters race were at last year. And they did that with 5 of the 18 guys on their new team. Or 4. I forget.

I'm thinking they'll either be great to race with, in that they'll want to throw people up the road in breaks left and right, or they'll only let a select few go, and shut down everything else that moves. Including the P/1/2 fields.

in cat 5 there will alway be a n00b that brakes hard before the turn instead of leaning over. the pack will cuss him out

stay the f on the outside
no f ing brakes
fu
f ing hold your line
etc

then he takes an alternate exit and drops from the race

In 5-3, you'll also hear people yelling at the people up front to pick up the pace. That has to be the stupidest thing you can say in a race.

In 5-3, you'll also hear people yelling at the people up front to pick up the pace. That has to be the stupidest thing you can say in a race.

really? can't wait to hear that one.

In 5-3, you'll also hear people yelling at the people up front to pick up the pace. That has to be the stupidest thing you can say in a race.

Usually the guys in front will yell back (if they're really not working). But sometimes the guys in back are actually trying to help out.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=U10YfGT01JI
At 2:21 a guy from behind yells something like "You know it's a lot easier if we go fast up the hill". It actually is, but no one wanted to go faster in the very cold and windy conditions. The guy yelling is no jerk or anything, he's a good guy. Just wanted to get in his training (and he later spent a lot of time at the front, "going up the hill fast").

In NYC though the guys yelling are usually not so "educated". I just yell back at them to come to the front and ride at the right pace. Usually shuts them up, after the obligatory "eff you a** hole" response. NY is so polite.

First Bethel is in 6 weeks. Can't wait to race again.
cdr

There are exceptions to all rules, but I generally just head to the front if things aren't fast enough for me. Most of these comments come from people who want everyone else to do the work for them.