Racing categories and fitness questions from a newbie
12-09-09, 11:24 PM
#26
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Only 3-5 races in your collegiate conference? Wow, either that's a tiny amount or the east coast (ACCC and ECCC) is spoiled. Or both.
Yes. Category D and C both count towards your Cat 4 upgrade. As expected, TTs are not mass start events, so they do not.
The categories fall out like this:
Collegiate A = USAC 1/2/3
Collegiate B = USAC 3/4
Collegiate C = USAC 4/5
Collegiate D = USAC 5 and all novices.
In the ACCC, if you have never raced before, you start out as a D. Basically, you can request your upgrade to Cs whenever you think you're ready. Then you have to go by USAC upgrade category/point rules for other collegiate upgrades. (To become a Collegiate A rider, you must be a Cat 3.)
It's important to know that collegiate C events DO NOT count for your Cat 3 upgrade. If you are a Cat 4 hoping to upgrade in collegiate races, enter in Category B events.
1. Finish 10 races to get out of Cat 5. Build your skills so you become a reliable, consistent, and safe racer.
2. Work on your Cat 3 upgrade, but don't put a timeline on it. What's the rush? Instead, achieve goals in specific, big Cat 4 races. I'm not saying sandbag - hell no. I'm saying learn how to race.
If you've got the free time and cash for race fees, it's probably average for Cat 4s or prospective 3s. I don't know why you would do so many TTs though.
Yes. You'll probably be able to adapt quickly to the different sort of fitness needed - a bit more explosiveness/recovery. Don't forget to work on the skills and tactics.
The categories fall out like this:
Collegiate A = USAC 1/2/3
Collegiate B = USAC 3/4
Collegiate C = USAC 4/5
Collegiate D = USAC 5 and all novices.
In the ACCC, if you have never raced before, you start out as a D. Basically, you can request your upgrade to Cs whenever you think you're ready. Then you have to go by USAC upgrade category/point rules for other collegiate upgrades. (To become a Collegiate A rider, you must be a Cat 3.)
It's important to know that collegiate C events DO NOT count for your Cat 3 upgrade. If you are a Cat 4 hoping to upgrade in collegiate races, enter in Category B events.
2. Work on your Cat 3 upgrade, but don't put a timeline on it. What's the rush? Instead, achieve goals in specific, big Cat 4 races. I'm not saying sandbag - hell no. I'm saying learn how to race.
Yes. You'll probably be able to adapt quickly to the different sort of fitness needed - a bit more explosiveness/recovery. Don't forget to work on the skills and tactics.
Last edited by RudeSiggy; 12-09-09 at 11:56 PM. Reason: typo
12-10-09, 12:19 AM
#27
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Prime example from way out in da sticks Wisconsin.
https://velonews.competitor.com/2009/...ioshack_101342
Collegiate xc runner to radio shack in 4 years. He's a beast.
https://velonews.competitor.com/2009/...ioshack_101342
Collegiate xc runner to radio shack in 4 years. He's a beast.
12-12-09, 12:06 AM
#29
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12-12-09, 02:18 PM
#30
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Yes but he's a mutant.
You don't get upgrade points for TTs, so guys who mostly or only do TTs don't upgrade much.
You don't get upgrade points for TTs, so guys who mostly or only do TTs don't upgrade much.
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