Road Bike Racing - Racing in the ultimate category

Upgrade request declined, as expected. I wish I could race more, because I'd be there for sure. Maybe next year.

[smack talk]
For now, I'll focus on tearing the **** out of the M35+ field with Racer Ex and El Diablo Rojo, along with the rest of the team. I think our new kits should have a bullseye on the back.

If I do any Cat 3 or 3/4 races next year, I'm going to make it look like I'm really sandbagging.
[/smack talk]

surprised. I thought you won a bunch of races this year, what was the issue - points not as high due to field sizes or something?

Two of the wins and a 2nd were at the weekly crit which is too short to qualify, although it is USAC.

On the weekends, I've only got two wins, but only six races.

I wasn't "expecting" the upgrade, just hoping for it. Based on performance, I'm clearly one of the stronger 3s in TX. I just can't do enough races like everyone else.

just think, if you had only shaved your legs...

Is that why they called me a "mongrel" in my rejection email?

The riders in texas are stronger than riders from other states. IF you had lived anywhere else, you probably would have had more wins :(

You might try requesting an upgrade after your first race next season. Especially if you murder the field.

I overheard one conversation with the local coordinator that because it was the end of the season, they were going to decline the upgrade for this particular rider and to resubmit next season.

Can you do 2/3 races instead of 3/4? Just asking.

did they give you any reason? Did it sound like they put any thought into it?

The riders in texas are stronger than riders from other states. IF you had lived anywhere else, you probably would have had more wins :(

I don't even know how to respond to this.

I don't even know how to respond to this.

I had the same reaction.

Two of the wins and a 2nd were at the weekly crit which is too short to qualify, although it is USAC.

On the weekends, I've only got two wins, but only six races.

I wasn't "expecting" the upgrade, just hoping for it. Based on performance, I'm clearly one of the stronger 3s in TX. I just can't do enough races like everyone else.

gotcha. regardless, you had a fantastic season.

Meh, unless you have lived everwhere else, it is a hard statement to make. I know cycling is competitive in Texas, but I have heard California is quite a bit worse...

The riders in texas are stronger than riders from other states. IF you had lived anywhere else, you probably would have had more wins :(

I think Texas is producing some fast riders (Nat champs every few years), but there are several regions with a higher density of these fast riders.

My issue was the number of results more than anything. In the beginning of the season, I was still learning how not to race like the weak sprinter, given my new power development, so no results there. Once I started attacking, I started getting results, but I ran out of races (because of my schedule, not the race calendar).


Can you do 2/3 races instead of 3/4? Just asking.

Most of my races this year were 1/2/3, but looking for upgrade points, the 3s looks much more attractive ;)


did they give you any reason? Did it sound like they put any thought into it?

Yeah, I didn't have enough points, and knew that already. I was hoping the shorter races that didn't generate points would make up for that. They had some friendly comments in there qualifying the rejection, so they considered all my submitted results.

By the rules, I can't upgrade, that much is clear. But, when you win a race, and everyone else in the breakaway is a Cat 2, then you win the biggest Cat 3 crit in TX, then beat the Cat 3 state champ in another crit, I figured I had enough to at least ask :)

Do your 35+ races count towards the upgrade? Maybe if you raced all Cat 3 instead of mostly 35+ races you'd have enough points. Not that it really matters - do the races that are the most fun and challenging for you.

No, masters results don't count.

Well Wr, I know this is your goal. And I know it will be achieved next year.

No, masters results don't count.

I was counting the Masters win as points. If your category is included, and the field size and distance are appropriate, seems like it should count, no?

The reply acknowledged that win, and this page (http://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=580)doesn't indicate the race categories have to be skill-based.

The riders in texas are stronger than riders from other states. IF you had lived anywhere else, you probably would have had more wins :(

:):lol: :roflmao2: what a load of idiotic poppycock. :thumb:

Well Wr, I know this is your goal. And I know it will be achieved next year.

Yeah, my first goal is team success. I think this will align with me getting some results, as well as supporting. I'm not racing for myself though, and with my limited schedule, I may actually end up being Cat 3 forever...

In OBRA Masters races count as long as the Cat is limited. For example a 35+ 123 race counts as upgrade points for 3 to 2, but 35+ all categories does not. At least that is how I understand it.

I was counting the Masters win as points. If your category is included, and the field size and distance are appropriate, seems like it should count, no?

The reply acknowledged that win, and this page (http://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=580)doesn't indicate the race categories have to be skill-based.

It certainly makes sense, especially given that masters races are harder than cat three races. But in my conversations with reps, at least, they claim only category results can count. Actually my rep cited that my masters results didn't count when she looked at my resume, which led her to the conclusion that I "wasn't a sandbagger." Phew. And I got crap from one of my teammates today for upgrading. Should have stayed a three. Don't do it WR. Stay there until they kick you out now.

Just do some 3/4 races in the spring for some more points. Just make sure you pin your rejection letter to you jersey, right next to your number. Then when the other racers cry about sandbaggers, just point to the letter.:lol:

Get people from other teams to write letters demanding an investigation into your sandbagging.

It certainly makes sense, especially given that masters races are harder than cat three races. But in my conversations with reps, at least, they claim only category results can count. Actually my rep cited that my masters results didn't count when she looked at my resume, which led her to the conclusion that I "wasn't a sandbagger." Phew. And I got crap from one of my teammates today for upgrading. Should have stayed a three. Don't do it WR. Stay there until they kick you out now.

local upgrade coordinator has discretionary authority to count masters races for upgrade from 3-->2. As you said, it makes sense because masters races are harder than cat 3 races. Typically at least in MABRA when the masters race is combined to include 30+ and 40+, the field sizes and distances are = to cat 3.

It makes me laugh that someone beating me in a cat 3 race gets upgrade pts. to cat 2, but their points might be disputable if they race a M30/40+ race and beat any combination of Mark Warno, Ken Young, Ramon Benitez, Josh Frick, Dave Osbourne, Chip Hoover, Dave Fuentes, Russ Langley, Ken Johnson, Bo Lee, Pete Cannel, etc., etc., etc. That's idiotic poppycock.

Does anyone beat Benitez?

I demand an investigation into WR's sandbagging. Plus I don't think he deserves his pony.

Does anyone beat Benitez?

rare, but I can recall fuentes, frick, and warno pulling it off.

Don't do it WR. Stay there until they kick you out now.

Yeah, part of me feels this way. If I just let it go, I can race the 1/2/3 and not concern myself with points. Most races are p/1/2 with 3 and 4 separate, but sometimes there's a 1/2/3.


I demand an investigation into WR's sandbagging. Plus I don't think he deserves his pony.

You promised!!!!!

The riders in texas are stronger than riders from other states. IF you had lived anywhere else, you probably would have had more wins :(

no. california, specifically so cal, has the most competitive races.

ok

What state has the weakest fields? I need to race somewhere...... nevermind. I'd still suck.

no. california, specifically so cal, has the most competitive races.


How do you quantify this?
Or did I miss the sarcasm?

don't sweat it WR. cat 2 or not you still are gonna look like a massive tool on that trek of yours, and besides you're what, like 50? its not like you have a future in cycling, just stick with the old guys in masters.

How do you quantify this?
Or did I miss the sarcasm?

If you check the usac rankings you don't.

WR, can you get a second opinion?

The riders in texas are stronger than riders from other states. IF you had lived anywhere else, you probably would have had more wins :(

Ha

and


Riiiiiight

:):lol: :roflmao2: what a load of idiotic poppycock. :thumb:

See, we were all expecting an "incorrect." and then you pull that out. Nicely done.

If you check the usac rankings you don't.

I'm not agreeing or disagreeing, but most races in SoCal don't submit results to the usac website for some reason. I've done about 30 races this year and have a total of 4 results listed on the usac website.

That's a fair point. It's pretty impossible to quantify then, no?

Yeah. It really only tells you how well a rider stacks up against the local competition, right? It would tell you how well a rider compares to his competition, but doesn't tell you how good the competition is.

If you look at this year's National Champioship winners, there's CA, TX, OH, TN, AL, IL, etc...

But even those are skewed towards what region the championship in.

Very true. The regional stuff really just doesn't matter unless you travel to races a lot.

They don't have a Cat 3 national champion, so what do I care? :D

Thank heavens. I'd have stayed a three until I won it. ;)

Meh, unless you have lived everwhere else, it is a hard statement to make. I know cycling is competitive in Texas, but I have heard California is quite a bit worse...

I think the top riders are probably about the same everywhere. It is just in some places like California and Texas (and others I'm sure) there are just more of the top riders than many other places.

Edit: it's just a numbers thing... more riders overall.

I think the top riders are probably about the same everywhere. It is just in some places like California and Texas (and others I'm sure) there are just more of the top riders than many other places.

Edit: it's just a numbers thing... more riders overall.

That's the explanation RX has posted in the past. Makes perfect sense.

The riders in texas are stronger than riders from other states. IF you had lived anywhere else, you probably would have had more wins :(

This is typically a Texan statement. Everything is bigger in Texas, I'm quite sure of it.

Not to worry WR, there's so much sandbagging in the Texas field that nobody will blink an eye at you. Why would you want to upgrade, anyway? I mean seriously... what's in it for you, personally?

^^^ Good question.

I think I have the talent to win a local (weekend) P/1/2 crit. I need to build power a bit more, but I think it's possible next season...

Other than that... ego? Just wanna show up to one with hairy legs?