Ka_Jun

So, I just started XC racing last year for fun in the local series. I raced in Beginner, and plan to do that again, this year. Next year, I'm 35 and they have a Masters +35 group. For the sake of argument, let's say I do well enough this year that I can make the bump to Sport. Next year, do I race Sport, or Masters +35? Thoughts?

Quijibo187

I'd check the finishing times and compare them to your own.
there are some fast master +35 riders out there.
If you fit in with some of their times, go for it.
If you're closer to the sport times, I'd say go that way.

Ka_Jun

Thanks. I didn't mean to imply the 35+ dudes are slow, by any means. Most, by the looks of it, did two laps in the time it took me to do one.

dminor 

Sounds like, because it's a smaller local series, there aren't the fine divsions that there would be at a lrager race, right? So the Masters is probably stacked with Experts and maybe some vet pros and god knows what else. Like Quijibo says, compare times; but it sounds like the bump to Sport is a good fit.

Our own local XC series has a similar lack of fine age group/cat breakdowns; so there is just one Masters class - - a 40+. Since I'm only a 50+ Sport at XC, needless to say I get my a** handed to me with regularity.

Ka_Jun

No, you're right. No fine divisions. Dang, I just looked at the times again, the Veteran +45 and Masters +35 dudes were FAST, I mean, really, really fast.

EXPERT MEN - EXPERT WOMEN - VETERAN 35+ - SINGLE SPEED = 10 miles

SPORT - MASTERS 45+ = 10 miles

BEGINNERS - WOMEN - JUNIORS = 5 miles

OTHER MODES OF TRANSPORTATION
UNICYCLE = 10 miles

dminor 

They make the uni riders do two laps? Sadists!

Ka_Jun

*cough*, yeah. dude's lap speed was faster than mine...*cough*. At least he didn't lap me. *cough*

Quijibo187

that wasn't how I had interpreted you, so no worries there.
I was just saying what you found to be true, there are some FAST 35+ guys out there.
Good luck at the races!

Quijibo187

anyone that rides a uni off-road is sadist unto themselves.

Ka_Jun

https://www.dirtragmag.com/forums//sh...ad.php?t=13542

I've seen a couple of folks around here ride MUni. Sick riders. I would think you would have to be, to get to the point where you say to yourself, "Hey, not enough challenge doing standard XC. What about XC on a unicycle?"

dminor 

When I was a teen, I used to do what I considered distance uni riding - - 'just' 5 miles, and on the road no less. That was enough burn for my crotch at one session. Ten miles off-road - - that's just hard-core.