I've just finished a wicked summer of riding and have slowed down for the fall. One of the things I want to work on this off season is getting ready for racing next year. I'm joining a racing club next year to get pack experience and have a trainer in the winter to continue high mileage rides. I read a lot of posts here about first time racers' (you guys are awesome!) experiences and am more motivated than ever to give it a go next year.

I am wondering though, it sounds like a lot of the races held in the US are split by Category and was wondering if the women race in each category or do you compete against Cat 1s?

The local races here in Canada don't have "beginner" fields and I've noticed all the women are bunched together into one category. Which means as a newbie I'd have to race against RS1s (our version of Cat 1s).

I don't think organizers will open up new fields so my best bet is to get my butt in gear to not get dropped. Just wondering if anyone has had to race in a situation like that? And if so, what was that like?!!??!!?