Pwnt

The competitive side of me is starting to surface and I was thinking of trying a little road racing (cat 5, from what I can tell, for n00bs). I think it would revive my need to train harder. Problem is I don't know ***** about it, where to go, or what I even need. I'm posting in the regional section so I can get someone locally to show me the ropes.

Someone wanna help me out? Data you should join me in my quest!

snowy

You should look on Active.com. There should be tons of info on that site.

DataJunkie

Info should be buried on USA Cycling's website.
I believe they provide the license.

https://www.usacycling.org

Pwnt

Are you gonna join me?

DataJunkie

Probably the wrong time to ask me. I can barely make it up the stairs without wheezing like an old man.

I don't know. My training as of late has been more tailored to long distances at slower speeds. Racing is a wee bit different and requires different training. So, you got me. I have no idea.

Pwnt

You mentioned racing. What kind of racing were you thinking of?

DataJunkie

What I have been pondering off and on is what you are asking about. Road racing... crits, road races, or TT.
I have been more focused on long distance non competitive riding that Bill and Machka are into.

My training has been tailored more towards the latter than the former. Not saying I can't race. Just not sure as of yet. I am a wee bit wishy washy so I need to focus on one at the moment.

celticfrost

ACA has a bunch of events too:

https://www.americancycling.org/docum...COCalendar.htm

I'm hoping to be ready for something by the end of April.

Oh, and did anyone besides me go the crit in City Park on Sunday? Tyler Hamiton, Hank Vogels and some other fairly big names raced. Not a bad way to pass a few sunny, Sunday afternoon hours.

EDIT -- and here's USAC's Colorado races:

https://www.coloradousac.org/road/schedule.php

Pwnt

What all do I need to race? I assuming some type of membership is required somewhere.

bvfrompc

Ok, heres the deal.

ACA is the main org for Colorado, there are few USAC events here, mostly collegiate events that have a few USAC Categories. I think the City Park race was a collegiate event that had three USAC men's categories (P/1/2, 3s, and 4/5s).

It costs $10 for a one day, $45 for a year license.

In ACA beginner men start out at Cat4, or Cat4 35+, there is no Cat 5

There are a few races in March but it really starts up in April.

A great place to learn is the training crits on Tuesday nights in Golden. You don't get pulled if you get dropped and you can catch back on when you get lapped, don't ask how I know this. I belive these start up in May.

A few road races have newbie categories I think one at the end of April and another at the end of May. I am very interested in these, BF team??

There are a few races mid summer that have citizen categories that are another nice way to try it out. But they are late July/early August.

There are weekly TT series at Cherry Creek in April May already sold out and another in Boulder/Lyons in May June.

I have done some of the practice crits, some of the TTs and a few citizen events the past few years. Even tried a few of the real crits/circuit races on the weekends.

PM me if you like or share the wealth and ask away here,

Pwnt

Nice BV. Thanks. What part town are you in?

bvfrompc

Golden

Chezhoff

Pwnt -

Another thing you might try to see if you are ready to race are the Tues/Thurs Meridian training rides. They are in the Meridian office park right off of I25 and Lincoln. They start at 6 and go for an hour. Anywhere for 30 - 60 riders will show up. If you can hang for the whole hour, you are ready for a Cat 4 crit. Speeds average 23 - 25 mph or higher, depending on who is there. If you get dropped, you wait for the group to come around and hop back on. The course has some nice rollers and it is usually windy so it teaches you where you need to sit.

Hoff

Pwnt

Nice. 6am or pm? I'm assuming pm.

Chezhoff

6:00 pm.

bvfrompc

Let us know how the experience pans out. I used to see them when I worked at ICG many moons ago pre-road bike. Now I'm up in Longmont for work, drats! It sounds like a good ride.

Chezhoff

Pwnt -

I was registering for the Lookout Mountain Hill Climb today and noticed that they have a citizens category. You should try that as a way to get into racing. The race is on May 3rd.

Hoff

bvfrompc

^^^^^ Ouch ^^^^^


They have last years results on the ACA website, 10 guys were in the citizens category last year, 3 under 24 minutes, 8 under 27 minutes and then a few stragglers. That should give you a decent idea of where your fitness is.

Pwnt

I think I'm just shy of the world record.....by like an hour.

Beast

https://www.mines.edu/stu_life/organ/...digger_classic

celticfrost

Yeah, if you really want to get depressed:

https://www.americancycling.org/resul...okout-mtn.html

Anything under 30 minutes is pretty noteworthy in MY book, but even mid pack Cat4's are ~24 minutes!

bvfrompc

So Pwnt, you going to do that Meridian ride tonight or are you all talk?

Heyduke

Uh oh...

Pwnt

I don't think I will make it. I get off at 4:30, gotta go from downtown to 104th , get my bike, then turn around and drive all the way back down south. I should have brought everything with me, then I might have made it. I suck.

Pwnt

And just an side note: I am really mad that I forgot about this! I blame you!