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category rating

I am looking at this race,  http://www.tourofthebattenkill.com/

 

I went to the site and it read that you need to be rated a category biker. I have heard of this from friends who ride but never paid much attention to it as the rodies ride and I bike run and swim.

 

So how do you get rated and what does that mean ? 

Comments

  • David: Are you talking about bicycle racing category? If so, you have to get a USA Cycling license. As a beginner you start out as a Cat 5. You move your way up by racing and placing.

    Some of the others may want to chime in on doing road races as a triathlete. I know when I was racing the road, triathletes were dangerous because they didn't have the road skills you need to pack ride like you do in a race. This has been discussed before, but not sure how to find the threads.
  • Yes, USAC license and racing...
  • David,

    I don't profess to know much about the cycling side of the equation but they have Cat 5 so you just need to sign up and get your liscense then register for the race.  Not sure there are any other restrictions but I did not see any in my very quick look at the sight. 

    Oh and if you are going in to a road race, beyond the bike handling skills triathletes you will also want to work on your 5' power or perhaps even shorter bursts so that you can stay with the pack when it surges.  If you fall off the back you can definitely ride the course alone but then you may as well enter a trithlon and ride legally by yourself.

    Gordon

  • The USAC License is fairly expensive ($60?). The races I have done have sold one-day passes for $10. Not sure if that's standard.

    I usually stick to Time Trials since Road Races are well known for crashes. When I do Road Races, I usually just pull the entire time so I don't have to worry about rubbing with others.
  • Similar to a USAT license, you can go annually or one day.

    You start out at Cat 5 just by picking up a license. I think it's after 10 mass race starts, regardless of ending placement, you get to be a Cat 4. Then, after that, to get to Cat 3, Cat 2, etc, it's all based on placings. Someone who does it more than me should correct me, if I misstated though.
  • David folks above explained it perfectly. As a new racer you have to go to the http://www.usacycling.org/ to get a license. This is for an annual license. Unless you plan on doing at least 10 races to upgrade from 5 to 4 I would just grab the one day license the day of race for $10.

    You will have to race in the Category 5 group and within that group is also your age. So when you register for race make sure you choose the correct group and age.

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