Mountain Bike Racing - Race classification/category question

So, I just started XC racing last year for fun in the local series. I raced in Beginner, and plan to do that again, this year. Next year, I'm 35 and they have a Masters +35 group. For the sake of argument, let's say I do well enough this year that I can make the bump to Sport. Next year, do I race Sport, or Masters +35? Thoughts?

I'd check the finishing times and compare them to your own.
there are some fast master +35 riders out there.
If you fit in with some of their times, go for it.
If you're closer to the sport times, I'd say go that way.

I'd check the finishing times and compare them to your own.
there are some fast master +35 riders out there.
If you fit in with some of their times, go for it.
If you're closer to the sport times, I'd say go that way.

Thanks. I didn't mean to imply the 35+ dudes are slow, by any means. Most, by the looks of it, did two laps in the time it took me to do one. :lol:

Sounds like, because it's a smaller local series, there aren't the fine divsions that there would be at a lrager race, right? So the Masters is probably stacked with Experts and maybe some vet pros and god knows what else. Like Quijibo says, compare times; but it sounds like the bump to Sport is a good fit.

Our own local XC series has a similar lack of fine age group/cat breakdowns; so there is just one Masters class - - a 40+. Since I'm only a 50+ Sport at XC, needless to say I get my a** handed to me with regularity.

Sounds like, because it's a smaller local series, there aren't the fine divsions that there would be at a lrager race, right? So the Masters is probably stacked with Experts and maybe some vet pros and god knows what else. Like Quijibo says, compare times; but it sounds like the bump to Sport is a good fit.

Our own local XC series has a similar lack of fine age group/cat breakdowns; so there is just one Masters class - - a 40+. Since I'm only a 50+ Sport at XC, needless to say I get my a** handed to me with regularity.

No, you're right. No fine divisions. Dang, :eek: I just looked at the times again, the Veteran +45 and Masters +35 dudes were FAST, I mean, really, really fast.

EXPERT MEN - EXPERT WOMEN - VETERAN 35+ - SINGLE SPEED = 10 miles

SPORT - MASTERS 45+ = 10 miles

BEGINNERS - WOMEN - JUNIORS = 5 miles

OTHER MODES OF TRANSPORTATION
UNICYCLE = 10 miles

They make the uni riders do two laps? Sadists!

They make the uni riders do two laps? Sadists!

*cough*, yeah. dude's lap speed was faster than mine...*cough*. At least he didn't lap me. *cough*

Thanks. I didn't mean to imply the 35+ dudes are slow, by any means. Most, by the looks of it, did two laps in the time it took me to do one. :lol:

that wasn't how I had interpreted you, so no worries there.
I was just saying what you found to be true, there are some FAST 35+ guys out there.
Good luck at the races!

They make the uni riders do two laps? Sadists!

anyone that rides a uni off-road is sadist unto themselves.

http://www.dirtragmag.com/forums//showthread.php?t=13542

I've seen a couple of folks around here ride MUni. Sick riders. I would think you would have to be, to get to the point where you say to yourself, "Hey, not enough challenge doing standard XC. What about XC on a unicycle?"

When I was a teen, I used to do what I considered distance uni riding - - 'just' 5 miles, and on the road no less. That was enough burn for my crotch at one session. Ten miles off-road - - that's just hard-core.