Racing categories

I'm fairly new at this and raced Cat 5 last year. However, I'm 52 years old and was wondering if a
Masters category would be a better experience. What are the Masters categories, I can't find a web
site that lists them?

Mark

 

On 1/4/03 9:17 PM, in article [email protected], "Mark U."
<[email protected]> wrote:

> I'm fairly new at this and raced Cat 5 last year. However, I'm 52 years old and was wondering if a
> Masters category would be a better experience.

YES!!

What
> are the Masters categories, I can't find a web site that lists them?
>
> Mark

 

Be aware that some states, by their own choice, restrict Masters races to Cat 1-4 (or sometimes even
Cat 1-3) only.

Even if you just plan on racing Masters, I would recommend getting the appropriate Category on your
license in order to keep your options open.

"Mark U." <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> I'm fairly new at this and raced Cat 5 last year. However, I'm 52 years
old
> and was wondering if a Masters category would be a better experience.
What
> are the Masters categories, I can't find a web site that lists them?
>
> Mark

 

Mark,

Check out http://www.usacycling.org/events/2002_uscf_champ/masters_road.pdf this should give you a
good idea of the official USCF Master Cat's available by age grouping ... basically its broken down
into 5 year increments 30-34, 35-49 etc... Depending on where you live you are likely to see 35+,
40+ 45+ and maybe a few 50 or 55 + Master races.

As a 52 you will be in the 50+ Cat but can race any of the "younger" Cat's as well, though, these
race will likely be a bit more challenging.

You will find the Master races have fewer racers than Cat 5 races, but the competition is much
tougher, since these guys/gals have been at it typically for a long time and are often former Cat
1,2,3's. On the upside these folks know what they are doing and "stupid" behavior is at a minimum
... that means you are significantly less likely to get crashed out of a race due to some racer
making a 90 degree left-hand turn in the final 20 meters of a field sprint. Don't get me wrong,
there's still aggressive racing and some physical contact but its more "measured". I'd strongly
recommend upgrading to a Cat 4 since many of the Masters races are restricted to Cat 1-4 and
sometimes even Cat 1-3.

As a 50+ Master with 4 years of racing under my belt, I have to say that Masters racing is fun but
quite challenging in contrast with Cat 5, but its much safer as well.

Good luck

james nuzzo

"Mark U." <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> I'm fairly new at this and raced Cat 5 last year. However, I'm 52 years
old
> and was wondering if a Masters category would be a better experience.
What
> are the Masters categories, I can't find a web site that lists them?
>
> Mark

 

"Mark U." <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> I'm fairly new at this and raced Cat 5 last year. However, I'm
52 years old
> and was wondering if a Masters category would be a better
experience. What
> are the Masters categories, I can't find a web site that lists
them?

Here's a typical road race flyer from WA State.

START CATEGORY* LENGTH
9:30 Masters A -30+(Cat1/2/3) 55 Miles
10:35 Cat 4 & 5 Men 44 Miles
11:40 Women-Cat 1/2/3 44 Miles
12:45 Cat 4 Women 33 Miles
13:00 Pro - Cat 1 & 2 Men 77 Miles
14:05 Cat 3 Men 66 Miles
15:10 Masters B - 30+ 44 Miles

Phil Holman

 

Master categories vary from region to region. In Texas you will have 35+, 45+ and 55+ age groups.
Except for a couple of races a year the age groups are unrestricted and allow all categories in
them. I race a lot of 45+ races and the way those things generally go is that everybody races
together for a while and then somebody attacks and most of the Cat IV's and V are dropped and finish
the rest of the race off the back.

My advise is to continue to do Category racing until you feel that you are strong enough to mix it
up. It is a lot more fun finishing a race in the field than getting dropped and coming in by
yourself. Especially the fourth or fifth time in a row that it happens.

"Mark U." <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> I'm fairly new at this and raced Cat 5 last year. However, I'm 52 years
old
> and was wondering if a Masters category would be a better experience.
What
> are the Masters categories, I can't find a web site that lists them?
>
> Mark

 

"Mark U." <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> I'm fairly new at this and raced Cat 5 last year. However, I'm 52 years
old
> and was wondering if a Masters category would be a better experience.
What
> are the Masters categories, I can't find a web site that lists them?

In Masters classes are generally open races which means that your punk Cat 5 self will be out ther
eracing with Cat 3, 2 and 1 and sometimes ex-Pro's. The Masters racing experience for lower classes
generally consists of seeing the butts of the main pack disappearing up the road faster than you'd
believe possible followed by endless time alone before the finish of the race which they don't even
bother to score you for. I'd say that Cat 5's in the Masters classes are laughing stocks but no one
cares enough to laugh.

On the other hand there is a lot to be said about racing against yourself in a Masters road race.
You could always be out there in a Cat 5 pack which crashes at every turn in the road.

 

You will probably find that the 50+ group has some very experienced and skilled racers. It is a
tough category to compete in. Consider doing the Senior Olympics in your area as well.

Bruce

"Mark U." <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> I'm fairly new at this and raced Cat 5 last year. However, I'm 52 years
old
> and was wondering if a Masters category would be a better experience.
What
> are the Masters categories, I can't find a web site that lists them?
>
> Mark

 

I have heard that Cat 5 will not exist in Seniors, so Master will be your only choice.

"Mark U." <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> I'm fairly new at this and raced Cat 5 last year. However, I'm 52 years
old
> and was wondering if a Masters category would be a better experience.
What
> are the Masters categories, I can't find a web site that lists them?
>
> Mark