zzzwillzzz

you obviously haven't been to socal...

45suited

I am looking to race cat 5 at the start of the season and I am currently putting in 10-14 hrs a week. I have been racing cross, so I tend to hit the lower end on race weeks. Typically I shoot for 2-3 longer days, which are around 3 hrs and 3 days of higher intensity 1 1/2 hr days. Every 4th week a take it down to 6-7 hrs. My goal for this upcoming season is to upgrade to cat 3.

purefreedom

whats your age and what are you are in?

45suited

35 in central nj

purefreedom

ok, finally got the hang of the rollers!! honestly, I was over thinking them...all you have to do is get on a pedal, just ride...I was trying to be too careful at first, but if you just get on a ride, it all comes together...they are actually pretty cool...I recommend these to anyone looking for a trainer and looking to work on their form and efficiency...

fordfasterr

I remember training 15+ hr weeks earlier this year and all I ever felt was just plain TIRED.

lol

At this point, I don't know if I'm going to start increasing seat time for the 2010 season, or just ramp up my training back to how I was doing it for the last few months....

NomadVW 

That's called training fatigue. It's sorta the point. Ride more, eat more, sleep more.

seanmdo

You could be doing it wrong... I've been riding about 12-14 hrs a week for the past two months and lifting twice a week and swimming one or two days as week. I can't say that I feel particularly tired. I mean, yes I doze off in the afternoons on the weekends and I got to bed between 10 and 10:30 and get up at 6 a.m. I also eat well and enough to refuel. I use compression tights religiously and make sure I have recovery drinks after every ride.

Yes, I have a full time job... Yes, I'm married... No, I don't have kids. (which I mentioned before)

For the OP, I'd suggest doing base miles right now and then starting to ramp up the instensity with some intervals as the season gets closer. If you don't have any foundation... I think I mentioned this before as well, but ride as much as you can. Try to get in a faster group ride once a week to gauge your progress and work on bike handling/comfort in a pack. Nothing is like a real race, but some rides come close.

Good luck

dgearhart

I agree with other posts. The "it depends" answer is absolutely correct. However, I know what the OP is looking to find out as I was there once. I race Cat 3, but I feel pretty confident saying the following are close:

Avg Cat 5 Crit: 23 -25mph for 30 - 40 minutes

(yes, I know there are probably a bunch of people who have raced 5's somewhere in some crit at 25 - 26 avg mph, but the above range is pretty close based on some chip timed race stats I've seen for 5's.)

However, I agree it is the surges that make it difficult. Also, if you are a smart rider and learn to draft well, riding a crit at 25+ is easier than cruising along at 22mph solo.

zzzwillzzz

especially if the pack is 20 yds ahead of you...

patentcad

Group rides are often harder than races, particularly Cat 5 events, which can vary quite a bit in speed. Some Cat 5 races average 25 mph, the last time out in Prospect Park my 35+ field caught and passed the Cat 5's after about 18 miles, so they couldn't have been averaging more than 20-21 (we were going 25+). I regularly do the Nyack Ride and race with the 35+ boys in circuit races in NY City, and there's less of a pack to hide in on the open road group ride. You have Cat 2 guys (and the occasional Cat 1) driving that train, and when they dial it up it strings out single file for extended stretches. Fewer wheels to grab. If you regularly show up on fast group rides there is no entry fee, it's just like a race in many respects, and if you get dropped you can just show up the following week. That's really the best way to prepare yourself for racing.

But by all means, just get a license and start racing. Training hours/miles? I'd say it's tough to get in shape (if you're an average cyclist) in less than 150 miles/8-10 hours weekly. You'd be better off riding 200 miles/10-12+ hours.