Cat 1,2,3,4,5

dmstone1

Ok this might be a really stupis question but how do Cat 1,2,3,4 and 5 work? Is it by age?

Eden

No - its by experience and by placing
You go from 5 to 4 through gaining experience, enough qualifying races and you can get your upgrade.
After that you usually upgrade through getting enough points (points are given for places from 1st through 6th)

see the USACycling website for more details (www.usacycling.org)

Master's categories are by age, but it can be complicated I think it goes:
Masters Men A (35+ Cat 1-2)
Masters Men B (35+ Cat 3 or *45+ Cat 2)
Masters Men C (35+ Cat 4-5 or *45+ Cat 3)
Masters Men D (50+)

dmstone1

edit stupid**

no1kung1

http://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=580

Go there for specific info.

dmstone1

thanks alot for the info guys. I just want to make sure I understand, to go from 5 to 4 I need to race 10 times and then after that I need to earn points? Also I read that points are awarded to the top 6 finishers, I assume that this is overall? Also how many points are awarded for 1-6 ? thanks alot!

daveydave

Eden,

Thanks for the link. One thing I was looking for on the usacycling site was a chart of some kind to show criterium speed by category. Do you know if one exists?

For instance, I started riding about 2 months ago. In a couple of weeks there is a criterium in a local town. It doesn't say the length for racing Cat5, just that it will be 45 minutes. I'm not sure exactly what that means. At what speed on a flat crit course would Cat5 be within reach? As a beginner, I don't want to jump into a race I can't handle. Thus, I would like to have my average speed close to Cat5 average speed before racing. Even if it was a bit slower, what type of speed increase could I expect in being with a pack? I feel I handle the bike pretty well, but I don't think I'd want to put myself or others in danger until I could keep my line and take my pulls.

While I'm at it, I might as well see if someone might answer this question. Maybe I'll post this as a separate thread, but I'll get this out while I'm thinking of it.

I'm currently riding nearly flat surface for 10 miles at about 18mph without clipless pedals. I have the strap-ons (no laughing - for multiple reasons! ;-). My road times for 20 miles tend to be at about 16 mph. When I purchased my bike, the guys in the shop talked about clipless being able to give 30% more efficiency. I've heard everything from 10 to 30 percent since then. I know it's all about spinning them through the entire cycle, what gains at those distances could one expect in time loss / speed gain with the above stats? Assume the lower end and the higher end of benefit from clipless once one gets proficient with clipless.

I know that's a lot to throw at you, but you seem to know your stuff.

Many thanks for the links. Please, anyone who can answer or give me some ideas on what speed you feel is safe to enter Cat5 at, and if you have any idea on the added gain of clipless as a scientific advantage.

dave

__________________
2007 Jamis Race - stock / Cateye Astrale 8 computer

Frigo's Luggage

The flippant answer is that the speed for a Cat 5 crit ranges from zero to 35 mph. I don't want to be flippant. However, you've asked one of the most common questions from people considering their first race. And, it is a tough question to answer because racing, particularly criteriums, is not really about average speed. As a result of the constant accellerations, the fluctuation in speed makes the average speed nothing more than a convenient benchmark. Since you are asking, a flat Cat 5 crit will usually average around 24 mph. The upper end average will be about 26 mph if the field is strong and motivated. Very few flat Cat 5 crits will average less than 23 mph. You have to remember with a crit you are constantly breaking and accellerating for the corners. Its not the average that is hard for new racers. Its the accellerations.

I would normally encourage most people not to worry about it and just do the race. The rational is that very people are ever ready for their first race, particularly if it is a crit. However, the only way to learn is by trying even if this means failure at first.

However, you are relatively new to the sport. Even though your speed is commendable, it is not yet where it should be for racing a crit. I would suggesst that you pass on this race and set a goal to try racing next spring. In the meantime, you should get clipless pedals because they will provide some efficienciency (I'm uncertain about any percentage) and clipless pedals are really much safer than toe straps. I would also suggest you find a club in your area and tell them that you are interested in racing and would like somebody to give you guidance. I am sure people will be tripping over themselves to help. If not, find a new club.

Most importantly, start a structured training prograam now. If you don't want a coach, I would suggest you read Friel's Cyclist Training Bible. Although this book is not very state of the art, it does provide a good and practical basis for training.

Finally, for a first race, you might want to try a flat road race or circuit race instead of a crit.

Just remember that no matter what happens in your first race, you will improve in your next race as long as you assess your racing critically and try to learn from your mistakes.

The bottom line is that racing is exceptionally fun and exhilerating. It is worth the hard work