CliftonGK1

This year is my first season back racing of any sort in about 20 years. My first race is next month, and I'm signed up for the Beginners division. After that first race, most people would seed themselves in the Cat-4 for the sake of competition, but the upcoming fall season of PDX Cross Crusade races has a Clydesdale division. If I'm racing at 6'6" and just a shade over 200 pounds (205-ish) is it more "on the level" to seed myself with the Clyde class and hope that RCB (sponsor of the series) doesn't re-seed me, or should I seed myself with the Cat-4 division?

The big determination comes down to Team Points for the series. If my team is 10 deep for the series then we might be in the running for series classification, and if I finish well in the Clyde category it could be advantitous. But looking at the previous Clyde finishes; the field is 50+ deep and could be competitive for a fit Clyde, with a number of tall/ripped guys racing.

Where would you seed yourself if you are 6'6", 205 pounds, and racing on a singlespeed (knowing that the singlespeed division is "open" and will include Cat-1/2 racers)? Clydes division or Cat-4? (Considering I don't make Cat-4 Masters for another 2 years).

jr59

EVERY Clyde event I have ever seen is filled with guys that should be racing cat 3 or better. They may weigh over 200, but a lot of those guys are flat out ripped and can really ride.

It's also like this in the masters div. A bunch of old racers cat 3 or better.

I don't know your area, so I can only speak of what I have seen.
In one of the bigger tri events here, a clyde finished in the top 5 overall. So much for being a fat fast guy!

Good luck!

TechKnowGN

It cant hurt to try it either way. Worst case scenario youre outclassed and learn that you need to be with the Cat 4s. youre definitely clyde qualified though

Herbie53

Is this a route(s) with a lot of up? I find being bigger an advantage and can actually put some hurt on the waify types if the ups are not too much.... especially if it is windy. If that was the case I would say the 4.

On the flipside, while we do not have Clyde fields, I would suspect they would go uphill at a more suitable pace than a bunch of young waifs.

1855Cru

The rules are the rules, so you would qualify for Clyde status.

I wish that Clyde categories were based on something other than height and weight, maybe BMI? It would make things much fairer in my opinion.

Homeyba

It doesn't matter what division you are in there will be sandbaggers. Just a fact of the racing world life.

CliftonGK1

I wouldn't mind that at all. I found some vids of the Clyde races from last year's series online and there are plenty of quick looking riders, but the field also looks to be pretty evenly spaced on both skill and athleticism. Saw quite a few slow dudes trip over the barriers, and a couple of quick guys slip up and catch a wheel on the barrier and become a pile up.

Outclassed I'm OK with; makes ya push harder. I know well enough to stay out of the singlespeed division though. I think I might get lapped before I made it once around, knowing some of the guys around here who race that division.

It's 'cross racing, so the ups are mostly run-ups. The big disadvantage to being a Clyde in a non-Clyde race would be on really muddy days. Lighter guys can "float" better in the muck and mire. I look more like trying to take '73 Bonneville station wagon out muddin'.

For the River City Bicycles Cross Crusade series, the Clyde division is strictly on weight. No 6'1", 170 pounders in there just because they're above 6 feet; gotta make that 200 pound mark to qualify.
The problem with BMI based qualifications is that there's still going to be a lot of lean racers who qualify. At 6'6" and 215 pounds my BMI is just a hair under 25. With my race kit and shoes, I'd officially weigh in heavy enough to tip the BMI calculators into the "overweight" range, even though my bodyfat percentage is in the mid 16s right now.

Well, it's not like I plan on giving Zdenek competition for the Worlds any time soon.

Homeyba

Hey, don't sell yourself short! You never know!

MrClyde

I usually choose based on how many participants there will be. If there is going to be some good competition in the Clyde division, go for it. If I know an event is only going to have 3-5 clydes, I sign up in the regular non-clyde division.

CliftonGK1

In this race series, there looks to be a pretty big (no pun intended) Clydesdale field. The PDX Cross Crusade is a tremendous participation CX series up here. The Clyde division alone sees 50+ for the first 3 weeks. It only drops to the mid 30s for Clyde entrants by the end of the 8 week series.

MrClyde

I guess if I read your original post better, I would have seen the 50+ entrants. Reading fail for me.

Do the Clyde division. They have it for a reason, and you are a clyde.