Racing cat infos

[Resi]

Hi,

I am just interested in how this works. I know for woman it start's at Cat 4, how fast/strong do you have to be to get into Cat 4.
Are there some webpages to get more infos?

Thanks
Therese

[Eden]

Hi,

I am just interested in how this works. I know for woman it start's at Cat 4, how fast/strong do you have to be to get into Cat 4.
Are there some webpages to get more infos?

Thanks
Therese

Anyone who wants to can start racing as a cat 4 - there are no minimum requirements to get a license and sign up for a race. I always suggest that anyone who is considering racing get some group riding experience before they try it - just to make the whole experience safer for themselves and everyone else and I also think that the mentorship of a team is a great thing for beginners - but neither is strictly required. If you want more information about racing and licensing in general go to www.usacycling.org
(if you are thinking about racing this year, I'd suggest buying a one day license at the event(s) - the yearly license is Jan-Jan, so would expire very soon - unless you plan on doing a lot of racing between now and Dec 30 it would likely make sense to do one days at $5)

Now if you are asking what does it take to win, or even what does it take to keep up with the pack- there's really no good answer for that..... a lot of people who are thinking about racing ask "how fast do I need to be" and seriously there are so many factors that determine what it takes to race, that you can't just say if you can go X mph then you can race and be good at it. You also have to take into consideration bike handling skills (if you slow too much on corners or are uncomfortable riding close to others, that can detach even a strong rider from the pack), whether or not you have the endurance for a race, whether or not you can deal with surges in the pack. Whether or not you are individually fast may not keep you in, unless of course you are so fast you can just ride away from everyone else.... (and that tactic will probably only work in the 4's), but seriously there are people who could always beat me in a TT, that never could manage to hold onto the pack in a road race.

So what's my point? - you have to try it to find out. And do not get discouraged if you don't stay in right away. You may just have things to learn about pack dynamics and nearly everyone gets stronger eventually.

[chutch]

Eden's comment about ladies who can beat her in a tt not being able to hang with the pack on a road race brings up an excellent point. Try different kinds of races to find out what your niche is. You may be a great all-rounder, or you may find that you're more suited for criteriums. Each type is fun in it's own way, challenging, and requires different skills and talents so give them all a try!

[aicabsolut]

Well said, Eden.

If there are any training races in your area in the early season (early spring) or skills camps, try those. Usually, training races are cheap, and they can be a bit slower and more low-key. It's a good place for beginner racers to get used to being in a race situation.

I will also re-emphasize the importance of doing some good group rides beforehand to get used to being in close quarters with others. Skills clinics can help you learn to deal with tight cornering, bumps, and some of the more frightening things that may happen in a race that may not on a stable group ride. If you have good bike handling skills and some good instincts, you can probably do without those clinics, but at minimum, do a lot of group riding.

There is a lot more to racing than fitness, but a lot of the skills that make you a good racer you tend to get just by doing a lot of races. It also helps to join a local team (though not required for the W4's). With some support, you can learn a lot about race tactics, have people to train with, and they can also help you on race day just with warming up, viewing the course, and even handling easy things like pinning your number on right. You don't have to race just because you join a team--you can do as much or as little as you want, really, because you're not going to be on an elite squad right off the bat. Spend the fall and winter getting to know the groups in your area, and then give racing a try next spring.

[TxDoc]

If you want to race, I would strongly suggest that you join a team or at least a club and ride in a bunch for a while. A team is best because you can learn from the racers when it's off-season and they have time to take care of newcomers
And besides, many teams will refund your entry fees when you race, and sometimes your license - and if the team has funds or you are doing good you can get tteam clothing for free, and special pricing on custom or semi-custom frames. A lot of good deals!!!

There's a local team in the Woodlands, I think you can ask the bikeland shop and they can direct you to the club.
Also, southwest has a racing team, they meet off of the Kroger on hwy6 and W Airport on the weekend mornings, if you google southwest cycling club or first colony racing you should find it.
Gulf coast cycling also has a racing team but can't remember where they are based, try searching GCCA, the Methodist Hospital is one of their sponsors.
Another couple of groups in the area are the tilson homes racing team that I don't know where they meet (I can find out if you like), and the bay area cycling (the club meets on weekends at the shop on hwy3 and Bay Area blvd).
The various bike barn stores may have a racing team too.
One way to meet some racers and learn about the different teams is to go to Memorial Park on the Wednesday nights for the crits. Many people race there.

There's other racing teams around here but right now I cannot remember the names on top of my head...
Good luck!

[Resi]

Thanks ladys!

Ride safe

Therese