newbie looking for racing info

tictactoe

I'm a very avid cycling newbie who is looking for more information on racing. Just some general questions:

1. When people talk about Cat 1, Cat 4, etc., what exactly do they mean in terms of skill level? Additionally, when people talk about racing on these forums, do they mean races in these categories? Or other races taking place in their area?

2. Does every race fall into one of the above categories?

3. If I can maintain 15 mph for over 2 hours, and can sprint at 20 mph, how far away am I from racing-caliber cycling?

4. What sort of technical things about racing do I need to know before I actually enter a race? ie. rules about riding, common courtesies, etc.

Any answers (and other information you would like to impart) are much appreciated!!

BugMan

TicTacToe,

Everyone starts as a Cat 5 racer. Once you have 10 mass race starts (i.e., road races or criteriums) you can move to Cat 4. After that, upgrades to higher categories are achieved by earning 'points' with high finishes in your category.

The best way to see if you can race is ride with racers - either in races or on their training rides. It's not only a good way to gauge yourself, its much better training than solo riding all the time. A typical Cat 5 road race of 35-40 miles in length will average at least 20 mph on hilly terrain and even higher on flat routes. Your solo averages are not a good indicator because you can ride much faster in a group.

Try it and see if you like it. If you don't - at least you know. If you do - get ready to let it take over your life!!!

__________________
"There is no such thing as a great talent without great will-power."
- Honore de Balzac

DiGGLeR

There are Cat 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Pro Categories. You can start of as a 5, right off of the bat. There are many first time racers there. When you move to a Cat 4 rider, you are a bit more serious at cycling, but not too experienced yet (also a much faster pace). As a Cat 3, you have to win a number of races within a 12 mo. period to get moved up from a 4. Cat 1 & 2 same thing, harder qualifications, and harder faster racing.

If you are just getting started, I agree that you should ride with other racers at least half of the time. The best thing to do to get in racing shape fast, is to ride with people much faster than you to push your limits. You will get racing tips, and better riding experience when riding with more experienced riders. Also, when you get into your first races, you will be riding at a higher level then the rest of the pack = success. My opinion, is to try a race and be prepared to get hooked on the sport. Good luck!!

__________________
"Cycling is 90% mental, the other half is physical."
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tictactoe

Sorry about that... I am 23. While I have a job with erratic hours, I can normally devote 4-5 hours/week riding, whether it be in the evening or on the weekends, when I go on longer rides. But like I said, I'm just getting started...

tictactoe

Thanks for your input but your post raised a few flags...

First off, even though I'm not beginning my cycling career at 13 or whatever, I happen to be in great shape.

Second, I find it very hard to believe that with more training I couldn't be a Cat 3-4 racer and still be drug-free. I'm sure you're a very experienced cyclist and, as such, your post has a jaded feel.

I'd love to hear anyone else's opinion on this.

DiGGLeR

You can definately make it to the Cat 3-4 level without doing anything illegal. Just know that not all of the advice on this forum is expert advice (mine included), but with some hard training, you can get in shape and definately be a contender...

Just keep up the drive to achieve. It always feels better to be in the mode of accomplishing something. If you set your goals to achieve something, you can do it. Maybe all it takes is a little changing of your riding schedule. Also, because you are getting started just now, there is a lot of technique to learn. No one knows your capabilities, and you can be the one to find them.

Go for it man, I believe you can do it if you want it bad enough.

Just my 2 cents....

__________________
"Cycling is 90% mental, the other half is physical."
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jitteringjr

Ok I don't get all this.

I have never raced a road race but I have done hundreds of 5k, 10k and 15k runs and a few triathlons even placed top five in a few runs. However, in these races it was always me competing against me, the clock, and occasionally a few close buddies bidding for whom would buy the first round afterwards. So I don’t see all the need for doping, 5 different categories and so forth.

Why does there need to be 5 categories? Why not 2 or 3? Like pro, wannabe pro and hey were out here having fun? By having 5 categories and making requirements to move up aren’t you inviting people to cheat? Seriously take a step back and think about this. Cheating to be a category 2 or 3 rider. Hello! You’re still a nobody!! Just ask Joe Average on the street to name his favorite cat 1 racer and watch him stare at you cross-eyed. Now I’m not knocking the legitimate racers because I’m not that good myself and I applaud your dedication, but cheaters at amateur levels? I don’t even know first hand if it even happens or not as I am taking Forum writers’ words on it, but if it is true how pathetic?

I’m not knocking the sport; I love it. Watching the Tour de France and the Vuelta de Spain is awesome, but that is the pro level and even they don't get much recognition. Other than to gain a category and bragging rights, what does amateur gain by cheating? Certainly not notoriety. It just seems to me that having so many categories taints the sport. Like I said, I am ignorant on the sport but why 5 categories?

__________________
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The Late 03 Jamis Comet. May she rest in peace.

SquadraSF

everything is relative. some folks thing that by sleeping with more women then their buddy that that constitutes an achievement. among their peer group, an upgrade from cat 3 to 2 is absolutely huge because that means you can now race in the same races as the pros. the difference between 4 and 3 is also huge because anyone with 10 mass starts can be a 4, but it takes someone who actually places well in several events to be a 3. cat 5 SHOULD have it's own category (although it's often grouped with the 4s) because the newbie riders have notoriously bad biking skills and need to get some races under their belt before they should be allowed with the rest.

2 and 1 though? yes, i'm with you on that one. what's the difference. so in conclusion, the categories should be"

Pro/1
3
4
5

the categories really do make sense though.

hwttdz

I'm also interested in starting to race. I can't seem to find any events that are in my area. To give you an idea I don't have a car, so I'm riding to the starting line, nonetheless anywhere in Houston, TX, USA is fine, and I think I can con a friend into driving up to an hour.

The bike I'm riding now is tiagra equiped. I was a 4:30 miler but I was injured, but I'm still able to bike. I'm thinking about going up to 105 because my brother is interested in getting into cycling. Will the equipment make a large difference, or is 105 more durable? I'm logging about 100 miles a week right now, but it's going up fast. I should be at 200 by the end of the calendar year. I've heard chains are only built to last 1800 miles, that seems awful short to me, they'd be like the running shoes of cycling, is this true?

I was figuring I could build my own bike, that way I can customize the setup more than if I buy one off the rack in a store. I figure I can get the right handlebar size, crank length, personalized gear ratios, stem length and a few other things if I build my own. I was planning on using an aluminum frame of the nashbar house brand (see nashbar.com for additional info) is this a bad idea? The definate advantage is that it's dirt cheap, and I prefer aluminum to steel (feel, weight, resistance to rust).

I'm just going to continue asking basic cycling questions if people don't mind.

My deraileur cables are starting to fray, I'm pretty sure that's a bad thing but I really have no idea what to do about it. Any advice?

I also seem to be having problems with numbness in certain very personal areas. I read an article in a scientific journal about how mountain biking did have some negative effects on fertility especially it contributes to the probability of calcious deposits. Do those twin rail saddles help any?

Doing some research I've come upon the discovery that some frames route the cables internally. Wouldn't that mean all hell if they started to fray like mine? What are the advantages to this?

My front deraileur is a royal pain, the cable is sagging a little on one ring and crazy tight on the other, I fiddled with it for a little to try to adjust it, now it works I'm just worried this tension thing will mess with it. Is there a site detailing adjustments? I'm pretty mechanically inclined so I can manage a good deal. Will 105 shift smother?

Thanks for any help and your patience.

Dirtrider71

go to the usacycling.org website, they have the forms and info for getting your racing liscense. like you , i'm wanting to race next year, i'm 32 didn't start riding a bike till i was 29, but i love it and i have a strong competitive spirit, i've been riding 6 days ,between 10-15 hrs /wk,and 150-300mls, i live near denver colorado , so their are lots of races. could somebody give me a idea of what to expect or what would be some good starting pionts(races) to try in the denver area.

hwttdz

What forms and what sort of a liscense do we need to get started in cat 5?