New to Racing- What age is too old?

[Eden]

One thing that is very different from men's cycling is though there are different categories, you will find that in very few places are there more than 2 races that are actually run. When you first start, you will likely mostly race with other beginners (cat 4's) after that its kind of like being thrown in with the sharks...... (one of our popular early season stage races out here had the field stacked with the likes of Mara Abbot!) Some states have combined cat 3 & 4 races, but most of the time after you are out of the 4's, the fields consist of everyone from pros to cat 3's. If you are in California you may find some separate 3's races, but most places don't have the numbers to support it.
The thing that is not different is that those who have a chance of going pro usually show it quickly. For men that means going up through the categories very quickly - a guy out here who was able to be picked up by a domestic pro team went from a cat 5 to a 2 in one season (he was considered to be fairly old to be new to the sport, in his mid 20's, but had been an elite cross country runner). For women it usually means that they are out of the 4's pretty quickly and remain dominant players even when thrown in with the big girls.

[girlpeddlepower]

I love hearing all of your stories of success!

Thank you all for your advice! I am going to train and race next year no matter what. I really just wanted to see what other women have experienced in the racing scene. I look forward to hearing more success stories in the future! I am really excited to train this winter to see what I can do next summer. I will update everyone to let them know how I do! Thank you!!!!

I would also love to hear some training advice for a new rider.

[Andrea]

I love hearing all of your stories of success!

Thank you all for your advice! I am going to train and race next year no matter what. I really just wanted to see what other women have experienced in the racing scene. I look forward to hearing more success stories in the future! I am really excited to train this winter to see what I can do next summer. I will update everyone to let them know how I do! Thank you!!!!

I would also love to hear some training advice for a new rider.

Good luck!
As for training advice, for now I'd say start building up your exercise capacity. Since a majority of women's races rarely exceed 50 miles (especially if the cat 4 women are split from the other categories), you should get to where you can ride 50-60 miles at a time, and it's not a big deal (you're a bit tired, but you aren't wiped for days or anything). Don't worry about pace for now, just keep it to where you are a bit out of breath, but aren't dead by the end of the ride.
Closer to the start of the season (a couple of months from your first race), you'll need some higher intensity work. You can either do this on your own with interval training a couple of days a week, or you can go to some faster group rides (you can't control your workout as well, but it will help your pack riding skills). I recommend a mixture of both.

This is pretty general- if you want a specific program, check out Friel's book The Cyclists Training Bible. It's got some very good info about testing yourself and planning your training/races.

[ehirsch83]

One thing that is very different from men's cycling is though there are different categories, you will find that in very few places are there more than 2 races that are actually run. When you first start, you will likely mostly race with other beginners (cat 4's) after that its kind of like being thrown in with the sharks...... (one of our popular early season stage races out here had the field stacked with the likes of Mara Abbot!) Some states have combined cat 3 & 4 races, but most of the time after you are out of the 4's, the fields consist of everyone from pros to cat 3's. If you are in California you may find some separate 3's races, but most places don't have the numbers to support it.
The thing that is not different is that those who have a chance of going pro usually show it quickly. For men that means going up through the categories very quickly - a guy out here who was able to be picked up by a domestic pro team went from a cat 5 to a 2 in one season (he was considered to be fairly old to be new to the sport, in his mid 20's, but had been an elite cross country runner). For women it usually means that they are out of the 4's pretty quickly and remain dominant players even when thrown in with the big girls.

And then sometimes, like here in Florida, you will either be racing with the men(at local crits) or if it is a state points race, you are looking at one race for all 1-4 women. Which can get frustrating, but stick with it!!

I started racing late in the season last year, and was either with the cat 5(sometimes 4/5) men or if at a florida points series race with 1-4 women. They placed the 1-3s together and then the cat 4s, but when you are out there in that race it can be hard to remember that! All of a sudden you and a few others get dropped and it is frustrating, but then you need to sit there and say hey- majority of those are elite women! be proud that you hung on for as long as you did.


So go out there and have fun!! ENjoy it and keep us posted.

[RoadRaven]

Like Eden said - your age is ideal for elite cyclists - late 20's and early 30's is when cyclists tend to peak in their strength and ability - so, depending on your genes and your committment to training and your attitude... you might go far in racing.

As for age?
Well. I am 42. I hopped back on a bike (not having ridden since I was 18) in 2003 and did a 10km funride with my son and 2 nieces.

In October 2004, I started riding several times a week - 10km here and there... and grew to like it and started to ride more in 2005.

In March 2006 I went to my first Club race (aged 40), liked it and joined.
This year I have been riding up a grade and came 3rd in the vet (aged 35+) women's TT in the our Club Champs.

In 2008 I am going to get a licence which allows me to race with other clubs, and my plan is to ride at national level (in my grade) by 2010 (but hopefully 2009).

As I said - I'm 42. So I guess you are not too old to start racing
Enjoy, girlPP... once its in your system, racing is addictive...