Hello all;

I just moved here from out of state.  While looking at the UCA racing categories in which I could race next year, I am a bit perplexed.  Using my age and experience as indicators, it appears I am eligible to race in four different categories in 2010 (barring any bylaw changes).  So, out of Masters 35+, Masters 35+ B, Cat 5, and Cat 5 B, in which category should I race?  I would greatly appreciate a fellow racer, more knowledgeable in the Utah racing scene, to briefly outline these potential categories.  that way I (and perhaps others like me) can make an informed decision for next year.

 Thank you in advance,

 David Taylor

Hello David,

Yes there was a chnage to the Bylaws that may affect a master rider. Tell us more about your experience. The Salt Lake Cycling Club rides from MillCreek Bicyles and we have masters riders in similar situations. Masters 35+ B seems to be their choice.

 

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Andrew Lock

Hi David,

If you're a cat. 5, naturally it means that you don't have a lot of experience. I would suggest racing as a 5 until you are eligible for a cat. 4 upgrade.  At that point you can choose between racing 4's or Masters 35+ B. You're not eligible for M35+A until you've upgraded to a cat. 3.  Category 5B is only added in races when there's an overflow of cat. 5 entries (couple of races a year), since there's a limit of 50 for beginner racers.

 Bottom line,  for now you only have a choice of 2 categories, Cat. 5 and M35B. Hope it helps.

Thanks for the help thus far, and for clarification on the "B" status.

My race age in 2010 will be 41.  I have raced 4 times, all in 2008.  (I did not race in 2009 due to a few broken bones.)  Only one race was sanctioned by USA Cycling.  I am now residing in Kaysville.  My primary goal for 2010 is to upgrade to Cat 4.  I hope this helps in any feedback.

 

David, it seems that you have written your script to start in the Cat 5's since your primary goal is to upgrade to cat 4. 

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Andrew Lock

One correction to Piotrek,

 Anyone age 35+ can race in Masters 35, regardless of Category. But the M35B field was created to give older racers with less experience a chance to race against similar competition instead of 35 year old Cat 1 and Cat 2 racers. To race in M35B, though, you must be a Cat 4 or 5.

 Definitely start out with a few Cat 5 races, race a few crits midweek and get the experience you'll need for upgrades.

 

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I ride, I write.

FYI: you can earn your upgrade from 5 to 4 in the Masters 35+B category.

As a racer can upgrade to Cat 4 using both Masters 35+ B and Cat 5 races, what are the differences?  (Other than the obvious age restriction in Masters classes.)  What is the racing like in each division?  Does one have bigger field sizes, or is more competitive, or lends itself to more team tactics, etc?  In essence, which of these divisions provides the best racing experience?  I realize this is getting into the "subjective" range, but as I mentioned earlier, it's all I've got to go on.  Thanks again for your help. 

David

David, the masters 35+ B is intended for "beginning" racers who are a little older and who want to race against other riders close to their own age and ability.

The masters 35+ B races last year were very competitive with some very fast racers. To realign the B class to the original intent, and to encourage faster riders to move up to the A's, the UCA membership voted to reclassify the B category as cat 4 and 5 only (cat 3 riders must now race the A category).

The hope is this change will make the racing a little more manageable for beginning masters age racers. I imagine next year, the speed in both fields will be roughly comparable (?), the fields in the cat 5s will likely be bigger. Not to say either is easy—bike racing is pretty hard at least compared to just riding your bike...

Good luck, and remember, if you don't like your first choice, you can always switch it up.

Jeff Clawson

Some friendly input, I've raced Cat 5,4 and 35 + B( I'll be 42 for hell of the north). Overall the 4's are faster than the 5's, however there are some FAST cat 5's, guys that are getting back into racing and some fast mt bikers. I've only raced 35+B once but they seemed alot slower than the 4's and probably slower overall than the 5's(if any of that makes sense). Of course I get my butt kicked by the top 35+B's so what do  I know.

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stick em up punk its the fun lovin criminal.

During a few of the crits last year, myself and some team members were able to race both the Cat 5 and masters 35B in some cases, and in other cases, the Cat 4 and 35B in the same day.

according to cyclocomputers and perceived effort, the cat 5 was slowest, the masters 35B was next and the Cat 4 was the fastest of the 3. 

 With the masters races, you did get 15 guys yelling at you to "hold your line". 

Seems like a no-brainer then, Master race it is.

 

fatguyonalittlebike:

During a few of the crits last year, myself and some team members were able to race both the Cat 5 and masters 35B in some cases, and in other cases, the Cat 4 and 35B in the same day.

according to cyclocomputers and perceived effort, the cat 5 was slowest, the masters 35B was next and the Cat 4 was the fastest of the 3. 

 With the masters races, you did get 15 guys yelling at you to "hold your line". 

Just and F.Y.I., I raced Cat 4 and 35 B's at the downtown crit last weekend. Average speed for Cat 4's was 25.8 and my average heart rate was 159. Average speed for 35 B was 25.2 and average heart rate was 158(I dont have a powermeter and I have a low max heart rate). I dont think I heard any yell "hold your line" in either races but there was a bad crash on the right hand 400 south turn in the Cat 4 race. 

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stick em up punk its the fun lovin criminal.