Come out to CT in the spring. There aren't that many pros, and the 1s are about the same as 2s.

If you're good at TTs and moderate at climbing, do Battenkill. Stay up front for the first couple hills and you'll do well. A tall, strong teammate got 2nd in his first ever Cat 2 race there.

I know a few guys that focused on particular races as 2s and earned their 1 upgrade through those races. Smaller, not so important races.

cdr