How fit does one have to be to participate in a CAT5?
03-05-09, 06:17 PM
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How fit does one have to be to participate in a CAT5?
I'm am beyond scared of competing in any sort of bicycle race, but I really want to try it out - and soon! I was never much of a competitive sport fellow, and I have no idea what sort of skill level to expect riders in the 'starter' category to have.
For that matter, what is generally the average length/speed of a cat5 race?
What are some red flags to look out for before I decide to participate?
For that matter, what is generally the average length/speed of a cat5 race?
What are some red flags to look out for before I decide to participate?
03-05-09, 06:20 PM
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Find a race.
Buy a 1-day license.
Race.
Buy a 1-day license.
Race.
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03-05-09, 06:21 PM
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To participate and to compete are two different factors. Anyone can participate, ofcourse, but unless you're relatively fit you'll probably get dropped.
03-05-09, 06:21 PM
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You should be able to reach down, take a bottle from its cage, drink, and return the bottle to its cage all while riding at a good speed and maintaining your line.
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03-05-09, 06:27 PM
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You are fooling yourself if you expect everyone in a cat 5 race to actually be able to do that. The question wasn't what skill level should he have, it was what to expect. I wouldn't expect most people do be able to hold their line let alone do it while futzing with a water bottle.
03-05-09, 06:30 PM
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I'm am beyond scared of competing in any sort of bicycle race, but I really want to try it out - and soon! I was never much of a competitive sport fellow, and I have no idea what sort of skill level to expect riders in the 'starter' category to have.
For that matter, what is generally the average length/speed of a cat5 race?
What are some red flags to look out for before I decide to participate?
For that matter, what is generally the average length/speed of a cat5 race?
What are some red flags to look out for before I decide to participate?
03-05-09, 06:40 PM
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You are fooling yourself if you expect everyone in a cat 5 race to actually be able to do that. The question wasn't what skill level should he have, it was what to expect. I wouldn't expect most people do be able to hold their line let alone do it while futzing with a water bottle.
How about just being able to ride in a straight line?
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03-05-09, 06:42 PM
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I'm am beyond scared of competing in any sort of bicycle race, but I really want to try it out - and soon! I was never much of a competitive sport fellow, and I have no idea what sort of skill level to expect riders in the 'starter' category to have.
For that matter, what is generally the average length/speed of a cat5 race?
What are some red flags to look out for before I decide to participate?
For that matter, what is generally the average length/speed of a cat5 race?
What are some red flags to look out for before I decide to participate?
The best advice I can give is that no matter how ready you think you are, you still may not be ready.
The only way to find out for sure is to grip it and rip it.
Have fun and be safe.
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03-05-09, 06:43 PM
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03-05-09, 06:48 PM
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I ride rollers a lot and have pretty decent bike handling skills, but there are sketchy riders in 4/5.
Mostly it's people not holding their line going into/out of corners. Some guys weave just from poor pedal stroke.
That being said, I've bumped shoulders, jumped rear wheels, touched hands, and haven't wrecked in a race yet. I took an inside line a couple weeks ago and bounced off a rider who cut me off, bounced off the curb, and then back into the pack, and nobody went down.
My friend in a 4/5 race locked handle bars with another racer, his front wheel went completely sideways, his whole bike hopped off the ground, and then he landed without crashing or anyone behind crashing.
It has its moments.
03-05-09, 06:57 PM
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Not that either
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03-05-09, 06:59 PM
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Crashes happen at every level of bike racing, but most of the time they're not too serious (of course, sometimes they are serious...and that's unfortunate). Look, the best thing you can do is work on your bike handling skills, protect your front wheel, and stay away from sketchy riders.
I don't know what your cycling experience is, but you should be more concerned about pack riding skills and bike handling then fitness--nobody will care if you go off the back because you're not fast enough, but they'll be p1ssed if you make them crash.
I don't know what your cycling experience is, but you should be more concerned about pack riding skills and bike handling then fitness--nobody will care if you go off the back because you're not fast enough, but they'll be p1ssed if you make them crash.
03-05-09, 07:00 PM
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"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."
ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!
03-05-09, 07:02 PM
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03-05-09, 07:04 PM
#22
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It's just like a fast group ride, with more carnage. Unless you're out front, be prepared for a lot of unexpected slowing and accelerations. Bumping of elbows and bikes. Don't freak when you hear the bikes crashing aside of you and you'll be all right.
I'd leave the Pinerello at home and go with the Caad9.
Edit: if you can keep up with a decent B ride, you should have the fitness to do a Cat5 race.
I'd leave the Pinerello at home and go with the Caad9.
Edit: if you can keep up with a decent B ride, you should have the fitness to do a Cat5 race.
Last edited by BarryJo; 03-05-09 at 07:09 PM.
03-05-09, 07:09 PM
#24
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Would I gain these skills from club riding or something? Cause that's another problem of mine. I'm having a hard time finding a group to ride with.
Not to mention I'm afraid of that too haa
god im a wreck
03-05-09, 07:13 PM
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I'm am beyond scared of competing in any sort of bicycle race, but I really want to try it out - and soon! I was never much of a competitive sport fellow, and I have no idea what sort of skill level to expect riders in the 'starter' category to have.
For that matter, what is generally the average length/speed of a cat5 race?
What are some red flags to look out for before I decide to participate?
For that matter, what is generally the average length/speed of a cat5 race?
What are some red flags to look out for before I decide to participate?
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