danlikes

Hello racing world.

Reading the rules, they state that the racer must finish 10 mass start races to move from Category 5 to 4. My goal is to race in the seniors 45+ groups, as my birth day is January 11th . I will be 45 then.

However my question does the Criterium count if you do not finish due to being removed by the ES for being out of contention?

I have no problem with racing in the CAT 5 class to get to the CAT and Seniors, paying my dues is not the problem. I just want to plan both economical responsibility and gain appropriate skills.

I figure Criterium will give great gains in pack riding and sprinting, both of which I am weak in.

Does each stage of a stage race count as a mass start? Excluding the TT I would assume?
Not trying to rush things, I just do not wish to expend expenses of attending and participating in criterium and stage races if they do not advance my goals.

mollusk

It is 10 mass starts, not finishes.

Try to do some training crits. Typically you can get back in the field after going OTB, but you shouldn't then contest any sprints. And they are usually cheaper.

danlikes

Per the 2012 rule book
1D2 5-4: Finish 10 massed-start races.

I was just hoping that the criterium would be starts only but I could not find it clearly.
Since criterium have a minimum required 10 mi/20 minute I guess they must be finished also to count.

So you think the Crit would be a good idea then.

Biggest concern is I am two hours drive from anywhere so the added expense of travel and overnight stays is a consideration. Working on an excuse to convince the wife that a RV would be a sound investment and cost saving tool.

learnmedia

For 2012 USAC changed the rule to 10 mass start finishes.

Edit: OP, you beat me to it.

Also, you may want to read through the 50 YO and racing thread since it deals with some of the same issues you raise, except the part about convincing your wife about buying an RV.

Fat Boy

They actually changed this for 2012. It's 10 finishes. During the CA 'off-season' crits they made a big issue of finishing. There were guys that got popped who would ride in to get their finish. As long as they were not a lap down, they wouldn't get pulled and they could get credit for the race.

gsteinb

Is it finishes or starts?

learnmedia

Finishes.

ericm979

Danlikes, you are to be commended for reading the rule book. Few racers do.

Do whatever events you like. If you want to to road races as a 5, do them. Actually you should try all sorts of events, you may find that the ones you enjoy/do well in are different than what you thought.

I find it easier to get up early and drive to races that are within a 3 or so hour range, rather than finding a place to stay.

Using a custom font in your posts makes it difficult to include text from them in a reply as the HTML is all gunked up with font tags.

Fat Boy

No kidding. Look at the time stamps.

danlikes

Yeah I ordered the rule book on the 1st and already have it in. kudos for the USA cycling on getting it out fast no and at no charge. 1st thing i noticed I got to get used to the uniform ans stop cussing like a sailor.

Not sure how i got a custom font in here uless it is becuase i often type things in word then copy paste in here. That is the only way I can self edit as I am a Dyslexic hillbilly when it come to gramar and spelling.

gsteinb

learnmedia

Finished?

mollusk

Didn't know the rule change.

So what if you had 9 starts last year? Do they count?

ericm979

Presumably one would submit them plus a 2012 finish to the district upgrade rep and see what happens.

Mtn Mike

One would hope that the difference between Cat 5 race Starts and Cat 5 race Finsishes wouldn't be too great. One big implication here is in crits where they pull dropped or lapped riders. I know that in most regions, for the Cat 5 races, officials are encouraged to keep riders in as long as it's safe. As opposed to upper categories where riders are pulled as soon as they're out of contention. The reason is so that new racers get the experience of racing.

Also, OP, when you said Senior, you mean Master. And you definitely need an RV to race.

danlikes

Yee-haw we are making head way here. The wife has agreed to consider an RV for racing. However as She is a Washington State transplant she wants me to consider competing in Washington State Races also. I am not sure who is manipulating who now…

And I was directing the questions at the Crits for sure. I do not think I will have a problem finishing CAT 5 road races.

And I did mean Masters, my mistake thanks for reminding me .

shovelhd

Thanks for the reminder to read the rulebook updates. I didn't think they'd be out this soon.

danlikes

You may request a hard copy of the rule book by emailing membership@usacycling.org.

shovelhd

It's all online at usacycling.org with the changes redlined. I started a thread on general rule changes.

crapweasel

I'm not sure I'd be a 4 this year if it was finishes last year. They're super quick about pulling people from crits around here, and I got pulled from plenty. One road race they didn't even score people who finished off the back (even a few minutes).

danlikes

Learning and all grateful for advice and assistance.

Next dilemma to overcome I have a Sab carbon road bike, I just do not think I want to ride it in a criterium if wrecks are as common as they have been discussed. This thing weighs about 18 pounds and is a dream to ride. I don’t want to get it smashed up in a gung ho overzealous melee.

That said, would a 30 lb walmart Denalia be to much of a handy cap to ride in a criterium. That was my entry bike until I was fortunate enough to get the Sab.

Racer Ex 

Taint no 45 in Tejas.

40/50/60 these days.

mattm

In my experience (couple of crit/rr crashes), it's the derailleur hanger that goes first, wheels next, carbon frame was fine.

But the general rule of thumb is race what you can replace.

curiouskid55

If you cant hang with the 5's your are going to be otb in the first 10 minutes with the masters.

Psimet2001 

Good....'cause you're supposed to "RACE" it in a crit.