Cat5 -- Guy's I'd Like To Slap
 

I'm not the most experienced racer by any stretch -- which is why the thread is called "Cat5." But I've spent some time on the track and doing a bit of 'cross, and can handle my bike, and have an acute sense of safety (because, at 40 and with a family, I really need to be at work on Monday in good shape).

And if there is one thing I can't stand, it's how every time the Cat5s pull away from the line, in the first corner, from the back of the pack, you hear some guy yelling "hold your line!," or "don't brake in the corners!"

If this is you yelling, please . . . shut the F up. First of all, we know -- except for maybe a few guys (and they get dropped quick like) SoCal Cat5s aren't generally filled with ignorant, non-pack-riding doofuses. Second, it's Cat5s: who the hell are you? You want crystal-clean races, then get your starts/points and upgrade. Or stay home.

But riding Cat5 and yelling commands in the first turn is like teeing off on the local Muni course at 10:30 a.m. on a Sunday and being pissed when you have to wait on the box of the par 3s.

Or maybe I'm just too passive/agressive.

It happens in the Cat 4s too.

Maybe? ;)

I had some guys yelling at me as I advanced from the back to the front on the far right side of the road. For some reason they couldn't handle me using the gravel / grass to advance. I see no issue if you can handle your bike and you're not putting anyone in danger.

And in Master's, in CX races, and even in charity rides. There are d-bags everywhere. Just stay smooth and let your legs do the talking.

unless it's against the rules.. is it? sounds like you're off course to me.

and 3s

and 2s

and 1s



I do it for entertainment to be honest. 90% of the time if I want a hole to open up in a pack or a line into a corner all I need is to bark at the guy thats in my way.... They always move :)

People will yell. People are dumb. Drop them.

Thats pretty damn dangerous if you ask me.. that and its a road race not off-road

I'd love to. But I'm still to fat/slow. At least I'm a smooth and safe fat/slow with reasonable expectations.

Hold your line and don't brake in the corners, and people will stop yelling at you.

Bob

if you're surrounded by idiots, yelling is good for your health.

I wouldn't yell at you. I'd just ride far enough inside that you wouldn't do it again.

Intentionally riding through gravel and grass isn't a good idea. If nothing else you're likely to be throwing gravel on the course.

"But riding Cat5 and yelling commands in the first turn is like teeing off on the local Muni course at 10:30 a.m. on a Sunday and being pissed when you have to wait on the box of the par 3s."

Or like sending back the house wine.

I wasn't throwing gravel on the course, it was just some rougher road where the shoulder ends. Maybe it was a bit aggressive, but the space was there. Might have been too close for some riders, so I can see the reasoning for worry.

In one of my first races, I made a very abrupt and dangerous move while in the front of the pack -- and crossed up my rear wheel with the front wheel of the young guy who was drafting me. My fault, really, even though his front wheel was in trouble. I looked back, and the kid gave me a goofy grin that said "Well, that kind of s**t happens!"

This was my impression from the Strasburg 4/5 race. I couldn't believe all the orders people felt compelled to give each other. Typical herd mentality of freaking out at the slightest upsets of order. It has a "boy who cried wolf" effect when bad sh*t actually does need to be called out to avoid disaster.

+1

I sometimes yell, but it's usually reactive rather than proactive.

It's also often less civil than a polite, 'Hold your line'

Do the 4s and 5s in flat road races still yell "get him!" every time someone on the front gets a gap?

race with an ipod. that way you won't hear their yelling.

yes, but it's frowned upon at work.

For the record, I never yell at anyone during a race, nor do I condone yelling during a race.

That said, adrenaline has a wide array of affects on a person.

On the golf course, it's best not to watch the other foursome play. Just avert your eyes and wait 'til it's time to hit.

I talk to people during races. Most of the time people either ignore me or look at me funny. Why are people so unfriendly?

Heck yeah..... Why? Cause its fun

And its not "get him" its "UP UP UP UP UP"

because.