First Race - yippee

[cathy]

I completed my first race! It was UBER fun! I competed as a cat 4. It was the Snowbowl Hill Climb in Flagstaff, AZ.

There were a total of nine women competing. Yes, only 9. It turns out that three out of nine were cat 4s. I was expecting to see more of us out there. If any of you ladies are contemplating racing I say DO IT. You've got nothing to lose! It was a great experience for me.

How many of you out there race? What category? Any advice?

Thanks for letting me share!
Happy Friday!
Cathy

[jobob]

Many congratulations indeed !

I've always wondered, what do those categories mean - could you ( or anyone else ) clue us in?

[cathy]

Here's what the USCF says about categories. Evidently women only go to cat 4 - probably because there aren't too many women racing.


Each USCF rider is assigned to one of five numbered Categories (Women are assigned to one of four), depending on experience and race results. New members are automatically assigned to Category 5 for Men and Category 4 for Women. Many local recreational riders never seek to advance beyone Category 3. Riders can upgrade to the lower-numbered, more competitive categories based on a combination of experience and race results. In general, categories are as follows:

Category 1: National Caliber atheletes who often compete in the same races as professionals.
Category 2: Advanced riders with several successful seasons of experience.
Category 3: Intermediate riders with one to three years of experience.
Category 4: Novice Riders in their first or second seasons.
Category 5: New Licensees and 1-day licencees.

[tmetzger1226]

Hi all,

I started racing last year. It's a lot of fun, and a lot of suffering! Haha. The best part is if you are part of a team... the bonding at the races as you suffer together. I've made many new friends.

As for most locals not going beyond Category 3, there is a good reason, at least when it comes to women. Category 4 racers USUALLY only race against other category 4 racers. But since the women's field is sooooo small compared to the men, when you upgrade to category 3, you have to race with the 2's and the 1's. Although you are ranked separately, the 2's and 1's keep the pace high and aggressive, making it difficult for the 3's to hang on. Of course, all of this is grapevine, because I am a long way from ever upgrading out of my cat 4 status

Tammy

[bounceswoosh]

I just rode in my first mountain bike race this weekend! It was definitely an experience. I already have a few ideas on how to train to improve my time, so I guess I'll be signing up for more races ... probably not this year, though; too busy.

I posted a report on alt.mountain-bike; you can see it here:

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...unceswoosh.org

[spazzdog]

Congrats to y'all 1st time racers (mtn & road). I hope to make such a post sometime next spring/summer. From now until winter, I'm working on general fitness and getting my butt broke in to the saddle again.

Since I live in Massachusetts, which seems to be lacking in 'developemental' programs for folks who want to race but aren't in school (read that older than 20+), and I can't afford to pay a private coach, I'm taking the 'self-coaching' route. I did it in running, so maybe it'll work for cycling.

In addition to joining a social ride group for company on those distance sessions, I'm going to use Joe Friel's The Cyclist's Training Bible and follow the 'periodization' method. It seems to address off season training in a way that will work for me during the long cold New England winters.

Anybody else in the same position? Maybe we should have an on-line training group...

spazz

[cathy]

Spazz -

[spazzdog]

Yes Cathy?

[cathy]

Let's try this again. (fingers couldn't keep up with brain)

Spazz -
I'm in the same boat. (+20 post college) I've also joined a social group of riders for company and motivation. Some of the guys race mtb & ride their road bikes for training. There are some awesome women in the group, but they have no desire to race and ride at a liesurely pace, except for one who has been a fantastic mentor (she used to race). It sure would be nice to be able to get a better gauge of progress by riding with other ladies who are also starting to race. It seems like many developmental programs out there are for juniors. I have the "Lance Armstrong Performance Porgam", Lance Armstrong & Chris Carmichael and "Smart Cycling", Arnie Baker books. Do you use a HRM?

Thanks for your input!
Cathy

[tmetzger1226]

That's a bummer you guys! There is lots of help for women on the west coast... at least in the pacific nw where I am. My race team is all women...50+ of us, but only 35 or so race (Sound Velo, a.k.a. Team Group Health). I think the average age for our team is 35ish. And I know in San Fran there is Velo Bella that is all women.

We also have a non-profit organization that helps get women into racing by offering clinics and prizes for women who race. They are called Northwest Women's Cycling and their website is at : www.nwwc.org

You guys should start your own local race teams and start kickin' butt!

Tammy
Seattle, WA

[spazzdog]

Thanks for the words of encouragement tmetzger.

I'm kind of a research geek... I surf or buy books for info, then take what I can and apply it to my training plan.

As for starting my own team... 1st fitness, then training, then my 1st race (since 1974). I'm 30 yrs older, 40 lbs lighter, and haven't done anything more strenuous than mixing up a batch of margaritas for the last 4 years. The pro to that is I make a damn good margarita... but that doesn't help on the bike. I can't very well pour them into the old water bottle... can I?

I'll keep you posted.

Cathy, I'll pm you to compare method.

[cathy]

Do any of you know of any supportive teams in AZ? How does the team thing work? For example, Vello Bella has members all over the place. Do people just sign up and buy a jersey? Do people go to San Fran to meet their team members? It seems like local teams might be the better way to go.


Random side note:
I thought it would be cool to have a women's cycling team sponsored by Vinnie's Tampon Case. It's a hilarious and quite useful product - the tampon case. Not sure if the team will materialize. If you want a laugh though check out the webpage.

http://www.tamponcase.com/book3.html

I reccomend song number 2.

Cathy

[spazzdog]

I smell a sub-thread to 1st races... sorry girls (it's Cathy's fault).

Team: Blowing By (sponsor: name that hair dryer)
Team: Margaritas (sponsor: name that tequila (sorry, luv 'em))
Team: PedalPushers (sponsor: a capri/shorts manufacturer)
Team: NoCrowsFeet (sponsor: Oil of Olay)


anybody else....

[pedalfaster]

Basis(skin care co.) sponsors a team and Jane (cosmetics) had a go one year too.

Me? I'm still waiting for "Team O.B." (those things are expensive!!!).

"Team Prada" would have the best team kit tho'.

[pedalfaster]

women's racing.

I fall into the "used to race" category (3 road/expert mtb). Too busy, poor, distracted, fill-in-the-blank, to race these days.

For those of you "thinking of racing". Go for it. Best way, in my mind, to make life-time cycling friends and really get involved 100% in the sport.

On coaches/teams: find someone local. Seriously. All the on-line stuff is "ok" but to really push your cycling to the next level you need training partners and a coach who can actually see you RIDE. USAcycling has a coach-finder.

On group rides: It's not just for companionship. If you are considering doing ANY type of road racing (other than time trials) you NEED those group-riding skills. If you are not comfortable bumping, rubbing shoulders and cornering at speed in a group you are not ready to race a RR or Crit. I have often found that Master's men make good training partners for women of any age.

Good luck and have fun out there...