g'day,

I'm not 50, (sorry)....In Oz you become classified as a 'veteran' or 'master' (in bike racing terms) at the age of 35. thus anyone over the age of 35 is elligible to join a 'vets' racing club if they wish. The races in these clubs are ranked by ability, rather than age. Thus it is common to have guys aged anywhere from 35 to 65 racing in the same grade (cat. to you seppo's).....After racing 'vets' for a few years, (i still race 'open' as well), I can tell you that there are 2 stand out differences between 'vets' racing & 'open'.

1/ the 'vets' guys generally have more ,omey to spend on all the latest 'you beaut, go faster' bits

2/ the 'vets' have more time to train (especially if they are retired or have a grown family)

I ride what you would refer to as Cat 2 or 3 in open comp, so I'm no bozo in races, but i regularly get my arse kicked by guys 20 years my senior!....they might be a little slower in the sprints but they make up for that with pure rat cunning!....so old guys still rock....BTW we have 3 90 y.o in our club.......1 has to be lifted on & off the bike, but once he's on & clipped in, he can shame plenty o' 70YO's ...LOL

cheers,

Hitchy