When I first became a 1 (not in the US) I was told there were 65 active 1's in the country, there just weren't very many to be found. It wasn't based on system used today. Some may know that I am a Canuck and some of the guys I raced with included:

Michael Berry - Rode for Sky last year
Eric Wohlberg - won the Tour of the Gila
Dave Spears - multiple time Olympian
Tim Lefebvre

This is only the short list of guys off the top of my head, there were many others. I'm not saying that Cat 1's aren't what they used to be - it just seems different and I am not sure why - there seems to be a lot more ego in the sport now - guys tend to quickly judge you by your equipment (or lack of) and what you look like (I, for example, do not look like your typical cyclist). On a recent ride heading into a sharp, steep, long climb the group was still together and someone warned my not to go out too hard that it was a tough climb so I paced myself - when I passed a good majority of the riders on the way up I was waiting for it to get 'tough' and all of a sudden we reached the top. Later a guy came up to talk to me and said he could not believe the pace that I climb (he is about 6' and 155 pounds) because I am built like a sprinter. I find that there is a lot of this in the sport now, years ago it wasn't like that - your ability was not judged by your deep dish wheels and SRM powermeter - you left you judgements to be made on the road.
When I warm up I have my music playing, my hoodrat clothes on and I am enjoying myself - I am not staring guys down trying to figure them out which seems to be common.
Just my thoughts.