Pack Racing
 

I'm going to do my first race this Saturday and I'm feeling awesome. I can't wait to get out and race. I'm racing in Cat 5. I was wondering how races usually go... Because the Cat 4 start time is 9:30 and Cat 5 is at 9:30, Masters is at 9:40 Cat 4 Women start at 9:43... etc. Doesn't the "pack" include people from different categories? I mean eventually some Cat 4's are gonna pass the Cat 5's... or vice-versa... How do you know who to follow? Do you just have to keep an eye out at the start line? Try and figure out who's in your cat? What are your suggestions? Or do you just spend those 5 minutes figuring out who are the strong riders? And just watch them? ANYWAYS... What do you guys think? any suggestions?

Am I making any sense? :)

Im assuming this is a RR. The organizers will typically let the various Categories roll out with enough time between them that one Category will not have to pass the other.

It happens sometimes that the pack in one category overtakes another Category. When that happens the officials neutralize the overtaken pack allowning the other to pass.



If you do find yourself either off the front of your race, or off the back, and around riders from other categories, the rule is you cannot work with them (i.e. draft) It shouldn't be too difficult to know they're in another race (one clue is look at the number sequence.)

Although if you're in a situation where everybody your with is off the back, and you're just riding to get home, no one is going to care if you pace up.

From the start times it appears that the 4's and the 5's may be run together as a combined field which is common. (in which case the stuff above doesn't apply 4's can work with 5's and vice versa)

Even if the 4's and 5's run together, it may be socred as one race, or it may be scored seperately.

If its the latter you need to figure out who the 5's are (see the numbe sequence comment) and mark them.

Each category has a different race number series. So the Cat 5s may be 500, the 4s 400 and the P1,2s 200 and etc. You can only draft those numbers in your category UNLESS the organizers start two groups together. For example, they start the M5s with the M4s. Then the 500 series numbers can draft the 400 series numbers. If the P/1,2 peloton rolls by you cannot hop on a wheel of a 200 series rider.

Most RRs have multiple loops of the course with the P/1/2s going off first doing the most loops. The lower categories and the women go later and do less loops. But you can see that there can be multiple categories on the course at all times. and the above rules apply. Obviously, you can break away from your own group but not join another. In you are dropped and riding alone, you cannot jump on a wheel of a 200 series rider and rejoin your peloton.

Typically, but not always, the starters explain the above so listen up at the start.

In my limitted experience, you just ride like crazy and try to hang on....then you get dropped. So it really does not matter. But I am fat and slow. Have fun!

Stay in the front of everyone. Then your only worry is taking the wrong turn.

Can you post the event flyer link?

= replacement bike on Sunday

i think it's this one: http://static.wsbaracing.com/flyers/2009/Mason.pdf

haha... We'll see! :)

That's the link.

Thanks for your tips. I'm feeling a bit more prepared now. Thanks I'll let you know how the race goes! :)

based on the flyer, the Cat 5 is a seperate race from Cat 4, starting 5 minutes behind the 4's.

In all likelyhood, the 5 pack will stay behind the 4's and you won't have issues. If you do find yourself with racers from other Cats (which should only happen if your off the front or off the back) remember you can't legally work with them

They combined the Juniors 17-18 and Women 1-3 with out cat 4 race on saturday... man that was messed up. All but two of the women were shelled and only 4 of the juniors finished with the lead group.

Yeah, that's a good advice, thanks. I'm probably gonna hang out in the pack until the last few miles (either getting dropped! or pulling ahead :)) So i guess cat crossings won't be a problem.

http://cat3phenom.blogspot.com/2009/...s-upon-us.html

:innocent:

i like this quote:

:roflmao2: +1

Hey, I'll be there too. I'm racing the Masters C/D race. Careful as the weather looks like it isn't going to cooperate. Forecast is for rain and wind, which is of course a tasty combination and so unheard of here in Western Washington.

Interesting... I'll not listen you guys then... :)
How about this: I'll ride my brains out, take first place, come back here and brag about how awesome I am...:lol:

pyshhh haha... we'll see

In my honorable defense... :) I was not asking for racing tips... I was just asking about racing rules and format.

Cool! I'll see ya there (probably not...)
Yeah I even read possible snow...
It should be a nice miserable race! :D In perfect Western Washington style.

OMFG. That's hilarious.

From the blog- "If you did not win every race that you entered in the Cat 4's, do not even try and get to the start line early because the front row is not for winners, not losers."

Interesting theory...apparently you can only be in the front row if you plan on finishing "middle of the pack"?

Why don't people post racing threads in the racing forum?

Because people are stupid.

this one is better

"do not even try and get to the start line early because the front row is not for winners, not losers."