Confused smalltown newbie racer...
03-05-07, 04:29 PM
#1
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Confused smalltown newbie racer...
At the risk of sounding like a idiot... how does the ranking system work? I may not be wording this right, but all the CAT12345 business. Ive done about 3 races and never been anything more than a junior or unranked. Do you have to join some national orginization? Help!
03-05-07, 04:37 PM
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You need to get a license from the USCF. It's a rather simple and quick process.
You'll start out as a cat 5. Do ten mass start races(time trials do not count) and you can upgrade to cat 4. Upgrade to cat 3 cannot happen unless you accumulate enough points in a given period of time. Points are accumulated by placing well in USCF sanctioned races. This process repeats as you upgrade to cat 2 and then cat 1. It's gets tougher as you move up. The cat 1 and cat 2's sometimes race with the pros. They are fast. Later in your career you can race in a master's division. Those races are grouped by age. Those guys are fast too. As a master's racer, you have the option of racing in the masters races or the category races....or both. First step for you is to get that license. Then start training. Get a race schedule for your district and start marking your calendar. You might also check your local bike shops for clubs and group training rides. See ya out at the races. Good luck.
You'll start out as a cat 5. Do ten mass start races(time trials do not count) and you can upgrade to cat 4. Upgrade to cat 3 cannot happen unless you accumulate enough points in a given period of time. Points are accumulated by placing well in USCF sanctioned races. This process repeats as you upgrade to cat 2 and then cat 1. It's gets tougher as you move up. The cat 1 and cat 2's sometimes race with the pros. They are fast. Later in your career you can race in a master's division. Those races are grouped by age. Those guys are fast too. As a master's racer, you have the option of racing in the masters races or the category races....or both. First step for you is to get that license. Then start training. Get a race schedule for your district and start marking your calendar. You might also check your local bike shops for clubs and group training rides. See ya out at the races. Good luck.
