Road Racing Question...

[Anita Handle]

Okay, I noticed on another thread here that griz, kyle, raycer x, john curtis are gonna do the GVGP as cat 5's. I was planning on trying a couple of beginner mtb races this spring and thought about trying a road race (copperas cove or walhburg) on for fun. The problem, though, is that you guys (griz and john I've confirmed, I extrapolated for the rest) are off-the-charts faster than I am and I would be up against you as a cat 5. I have a friend who's training for the walburg race that wants me to join him but DAMN there's gonna be some fast mofo's.

I suppose I'm wondering if cat5 is filled with sport mtb level riders. If so, I've got some serious riding to do before I try one unless I want to finish DFL by 20 minutes!

What's your take?

[TechniKal]

My take - there is no 'beginner class' in road racing. In mountain biking racing, you can start at whatever level you want. In road racing, -everyone- has to do 10 cat 5 races before moving up. The reasoning behind this is to insure that you have some exposure to pack riding at high speed before moving up to more agressive and faster classes.

There are a few sport racers listed in that race. There are a few experts. There are probably some roadies that have been riding for years. Just as likely there are some folks who have never ridden a mountain bike and have no race experince at all.

I saw screw it - go out, try it out and have fun with it. As I was told when I was complemplating signing up - rarely does the strongest/fastest rider win a road race - especially cat 5.

[Griz]

I agree with Kyle......screw it. Getting faster or stronger really won't make much of a difference based on the array of skill level and the massive # of riders (will easily be 50 which is the cap). As was mentioned above, Cat 5 is beginner only in the sense of road racing experience. In terms of rider ability, its all over the board. So I say just go out there with an open mind and give it a try. Thats what I'm doing. I have very low expectations other than to just try and have some fun.

[Anita Handle]

Cool. Thanks. Yeah, I guess I could have a goal of staying with the (or a) pack for half the race or 30 minutes or something. I'd get to learn how to ride in a pack better and it would be a good workout anyways. The wahlburg race doesn't have any huge climbs, which would be my biggest weakness right now.
-Ed

[Griz]

a friend of mine has done the wahlburg race and absolutely loved it! sounds like a good choice.

[Wumpus]

You'll be amazed how fast they start, but the key is to stay in the middle of the pack. If you try to hang on to the back, you'll get yoyoed around constantly having to speed up and slow down.

And don't try to break away or try to do pulls at the front. These guys usually don't win, but it sure tires them out.