Terry
Posts:1
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| 08/25/2008 9:35 AM |
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| Where are the beginners / Cat 5 fields in the mix? As a non-racer it would nice not to have to race with the Masters or 3/4's and I think they would appreciate me not getting in their way. |
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StevenG
Posts:19
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| 08/25/2008 9:52 AM |
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| Cyclocross has different Catagories than Road racing, 1-4. Cat4 is the beginner Categorie. |
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RJ Reynolds
Posts:128
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| 08/25/2008 9:55 AM |
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| some have A,B, and C class's. C is the beginner |
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WebGuy
Posts:332
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Louisville, KY
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| 08/25/2008 10:44 AM |
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Most of the local series races (OVCX) use an A, B, C system with C's as the beginner. Larger UCI races (Cinci and USGP) use the "official" ranking system and require a USAC license in the category you are racing (or a one day license for beginner [cat 4] races).
This gets a little more complicated with master's races, etc. For example, Master's races around here are typically faster and more competetive than Men's B....more like an A race for us older dudes.
I agree that C's is the place to start. |
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Steven Webster
Web Guy, BikeClicks.com |
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mitch@biowheels
Posts:65
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| 08/25/2008 1:21 PM |
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Guys, this is the new category structure for 2008 events. We're leaving behind the old A, B, and C category system we used forever - and are getting in sync with the rest of the country and the USA Cycling category system. You will see these categories at all OVCX events.
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ABens
Posts:57
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| 08/25/2008 2:23 PM |
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| So being a 33 year old will put me into the CAT 4 Men this season. How will I move to Cat 3? Will I need to do it on my own or is there a stipulation with how many races you do, your times, etc.? |
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WebGuy
Posts:332
Administrators
Louisville, KY
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| 08/25/2008 5:13 PM |
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If I have this correctly, OVCX is following the USAC license CX categories. So, you should be able to race Cat 4 Men or if you are over 35 you can race in the Cat 4 35+ as well (a 35+ beginner could race in either)
Upgrading is based on experience and results. Here is the USAC page about all of this: USAC CX Categories
So it looks like you either need 5 starts as a CAT 4 or 7 points (which you would get if you won a single race with a field start of 50 riders).
Here is their road/mtb/cx chart:
CX category based on road or XC category
Road Category MTB XC Category CX Category
1 Pro 1
2 semi-pro 2
3 expert 3
4 or 5 beginner or sport 4
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Steven Webster
Web Guy, BikeClicks.com |
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DARoemer
Posts:14
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| 09/08/2008 4:44 PM |
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I have a question on how these catagories relate to the OVCX points standings, too. I raced 4 races last year, all in the C Masters (beginner 35+) division. I plan on racing as a C this season again, but thought about also doing some open C (CAT 3/4 now), but don't know whether I should start in the "CAT 3/4 35+" or the "CAT 3/4". Which one is considered "higher"? The rules say you can move points from 3 races "up" to the next level is you move up, but cannot move points down. Since I may only get 7 races in this year, I need to know which of the two categories (the masters and the open) is lower, so I don't race more than 3 races in that category. Does that make sense? Is the "open" considered higher than the masters for the same category?
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mitch@biowheels
Posts:65
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| 09/08/2008 5:06 PM |
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Good question Doug. All of the 3/4 category races are equal, so there's no upgrading within those cats. The idea is that all beginners race at the same time, and races their age when they sign up for their beginner category.
The next category upgrade for masters is 1/2/3 Masters, which you could carry points up to. |
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Duane
Posts:379
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| 09/08/2008 6:42 PM |
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Hey Mitch,
Would moving from the Cat 3 Open Category (AKA B's) to 1/2/3 Masters 35+ be an upgrade or downgrade? If you go by the series points assigned per finish position it's a downgrade. Reality says it's an upgrade. What's your take on this? Would I be able to move from Cat 3 open to 1/2/3 Master's 35+ without penalty assuming it's done within the series guidelines?
Thanks,
Duane |
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mitch@biowheels
Posts:65
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| 09/09/2008 9:10 AM |
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Would moving from the Cat 3 Open Category (AKA B's) to 1/2/3 Masters 35+ be an upgrade or downgrade? If you go by the series points assigned per finish position it's a downgrade. Reality says it's an upgrade. What's your take on this? Would I be able to move from Cat 3 open to 1/2/3 Master's 35+ without penalty assuming it's done within the series guidelines?
Thanks,
Duane
Hey Duane, this is Doug Dobroszi's domain but my understanding is that the only two upgrade paths are Cat 4 to Cat 3 to Cat 1/2.... and Beg 3/4 Masters to Elite 1/2 Masters. Currently there is no Intermediate Masters, so the point structure doesn't support taking points out of B up to Elite Masters. I'll let you know what Doug says about it. |
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DARoemer
Posts:14
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| 09/15/2008 3:39 PM |
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OK, I raced the 3/4 35+ category in Loveland, and was looking on the BikeReg site to register for the USGP, and the catagories don't match up. If I want the points to count toward the same category, which USGP category do I need to be registering for -- Seems there is a Cat. 4 Open, and a Masters 1-3. I'm a 4 (only because there isn't a 5). Will we see the same set of categories for most of the races (except the UCI C1's)?
THX. |
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mitch@biowheels
Posts:65
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| 09/15/2008 3:45 PM |
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| The USGP should be the only exception during the series for the beginner categories, the same as it was last year. All other OVCX races should be like Loveland was. All masters beginners that want to compete for series points in 3/4 35+ and 3/4 45+ should compete in the Cat 4 race on the USGP weekend, and we will pull your results out from the Cat 4 and score you into your series cats. Make sense? |
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Mr Bill
Posts:10
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| 09/16/2008 10:32 PM |
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Loveland was great fun. As my first cyclocross race (and first bicycle race for that matter) ever I was surprised and excited to line up with about 80 other racers on the starting line. Although I got my butt kicked first and foremost because of a lack of fitness, I couldn't help but notice the huge variation in rider skill levels and fitness in the Men's open category 4 race. I realize that cyclocross is different than road racing and mountain bike racing category designations, but the Men's category 4 had everything from full scholarship college cyclists to very fast sport/expert mountain bikers in the field. I am sure that it was likely the first cyclocross race ever for many of these folks as well. So...
I guess my question is - is there a better way to classify or run a cyclocross race so that the "C" (category 4) class is truly for beginners?
I don't know if there is an immediate answer to this question because of the many variables involved (e.g. certain courses will favor the fitness of the "roadies" while certain weather conditions might favor the handling skills of mountain bikers.
It is always hard to police "sandbaggers" but I believe it will become even more complicated for the UCI sanctioned races in Cincinnatti and Louisville where several age group classes, etc. will all be combined into the Men's category 4 race.
In the meantime, I'll just try to get faster... |
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ybbond
Posts:16
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| 09/17/2008 6:53 PM |
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Most of the guys in the 4's race - were legit 4's - judging by lap times - they would have been at the back of the 3's race - or the back 1/3 of the Masters race.......
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Mr.President
Posts:31
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| 09/17/2008 7:33 PM |
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| I guess I understand wanting the competition to be close, but f there are faster guys in the beginners then it gives us back end riders something to work towards. I know I finished last or effin close. I even rode an extra lap as I had no effin clue what was happening. yeah that was me. However, I would rather race guys that kick ass then a bunch of slow mf-ers. If I improve with guys who rock then I can honestly say I am doing better. I don't want to beat a bunch of guys like me, I want to try to keep up with the guys who are smoking me. atmo |
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Aweful Knawful
Posts:99
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| 09/24/2008 12:02 PM |
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Question. I only have an expert mountain license right now. It also says on my license that my cx cat is a 4. Will I have to race the 4s and wait to upgrade or could I jump right into a 3 race?
Thanks,
Nick |
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cameronpoole
Posts:22
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| 09/24/2008 1:06 PM |
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| You could jump straight to the Cat 1 race if you wanted to. Cyclocross races are open, so your license category is basically the MINIMUM cat you should race. If you are an Expert Mtn biker then I think you should skip the Cat 4s and head straight for the 3s. |
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cnevitt
Posts:238
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| 09/24/2008 1:21 PM |
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Nick, you need to race 3s dude. That we we can battle it out! |
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Aweful Knawful
Posts:99
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| 09/24/2008 2:42 PM |
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| Eggsellent! |
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