Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

Which Cat to register for first race?

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Which Cat to register for first race?

Old 03-18-21, 11:07 AM
  #1  
Chris O
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 54

Bikes: Wilier Triestina GTR SL '16; Basso Gap '93

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 25 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times in 8 Posts
Which Cat to register for first race?

Want to try my first race at age 46. The options for registering are Cat 5 or Masters (45+) with no cat options given for the masters. Which one do I sign up for?

Chris
Chris O is offline  
Old 03-18-21, 11:23 AM
  #2  
superdex
staring at the mountains
 
superdex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Castle Pines, CO
Posts: 4,560

Bikes: Obed GVR, Fairdale Goodship, Salsa Timberjack 29

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 394 Post(s)
Liked 197 Times in 112 Posts
5. It will be hard enough.

Master 45+ will be 'open' which means you'll be blown off in just a few laps.

A lot of races will let you sign up for multiple, so there's no harm in doing both, though if the Master's is first you may be too toasted for another race.
superdex is offline  
Likes For superdex:
Old 03-18-21, 11:27 AM
  #3  
BlazingPedals
Senior Member
 
BlazingPedals's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Middle of da Mitten
Posts: 12,474

Bikes: Trek 7500, RANS V-Rex, Optima Baron, Velokraft NoCom, M-5 Carbon Highracer, Catrike Speed

Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1511 Post(s)
Liked 733 Times in 454 Posts
I'm not a racer and never will be. But from what I've heard, you definitely want 5. That's the 'beginner' class. If you do well there, you can always move up next time.
BlazingPedals is offline  
Likes For BlazingPedals:
Old 03-18-21, 11:27 AM
  #4  
Phil_gretz
Zip tie Karen
 
Phil_gretz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Posts: 7,006

Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100

Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1465 Post(s)
Liked 1,542 Times in 806 Posts
There are three other subforums that would be better places to ask your question:

"The 33"-Road Bike Racing would be my first recommendation

Masters Racing - All Disciplines would be second, and

Road Cycling would be third.

This general cycling subforum has a higher percentage of non-racers.
Phil_gretz is offline  
Likes For Phil_gretz:
Old 03-18-21, 11:27 AM
  #5  
bOsscO
bOsscO
 
bOsscO's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 748

Bikes: 2015 Norco Search S1, 93 Mongoose IBOC COMP

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 293 Post(s)
Liked 353 Times in 211 Posts
Originally Posted by superdex
5. It will be hard enough.

Master 45+ will be 'open' which means you'll be blown off in just a few laps.

A lot of races will let you sign up for multiple, so there's no harm in doing both, though if the Master's is first you may be too toasted for another race.
+1 to all of this.
bOsscO is offline  
Old 03-18-21, 11:27 AM
  #6  
tomato coupe
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,879

Bikes: Colnago, Van Dessel, Factor, Cervelo, Ritchey

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3906 Post(s)
Liked 7,181 Times in 2,905 Posts
Originally Posted by superdex
5. It will be hard enough.

Master 45+ will be 'open' which means you'll be blown off in just a few laps.

A lot of races will let you sign up for multiple, so there's no harm in doing both, though if the Master's is first you may be too toasted for another race.
In addition, one reason everyone starts as a CAT 5 is so they get some experience racing before they're thrown in with (and endanger) more experienced riders.
tomato coupe is offline  
Likes For tomato coupe:
Old 03-18-21, 11:29 AM
  #7  
bOsscO
bOsscO
 
bOsscO's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 748

Bikes: 2015 Norco Search S1, 93 Mongoose IBOC COMP

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 293 Post(s)
Liked 353 Times in 211 Posts
Originally Posted by Phil_gretz
There are three other subforums that would be better places to ask your question:

"The 33"-Road Bike Racing would be my first recommendation
Masters Racing - All Disciplines would be second, and
Road Cycling would be third.

This general cycling subforum has a higher percentage of non-racers.
Although true, the OP's question is a simple one. I'm a non-racer but have volunteered at enough races to confidently answer the question asked.
bOsscO is offline  
Likes For bOsscO:
Old 03-18-21, 11:53 AM
  #8  
urbanknight
Over the hill
 
urbanknight's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 24,340

Bikes: Giant Defy, Giant Revolt

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 987 Post(s)
Liked 1,186 Times in 681 Posts
Agree with Cat 5. Most of the 45+ riders will be 2's and 3's, and they will likely post faster laps. Also, they won't be happy with a squirrelly noob potentially wrecking them... although there's a good chance you'll be off the back in short order on your first race.
__________________
It's like riding a bicycle
urbanknight is offline  
Old 03-18-21, 11:56 AM
  #9  
Rides4Beer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: VA
Posts: 1,437

Bikes: SuperSix Evo | Revolt

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 733 Post(s)
Liked 815 Times in 414 Posts
As mentioned, don't let the Masters 45+ fool you, those guys are strong af. So unless you're really strong and just don't race a lot, I'd start with the Cat5 race and see how it goes.

I did my first (and only lol) road race last year in Cat 4/5, and did well. Same race is coming up again next month, I've improved enough (I'm not licensed, but would prob be a strong Cat3, maybe hit Cat2 with more focus/racing), so I'm going to do Masters this time (I'm 46), and it will def be a tough race.
Rides4Beer is offline  
Old 03-18-21, 12:03 PM
  #10  
caloso
Senior Member
 
caloso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times in 1,417 Posts
Originally Posted by Chris O
Want to try my first race at age 46. The options for registering are Cat 5 or Masters (45+) with no cat options given for the masters. Which one do I sign up for?

Chris
I was in the exact same boat as you when I signed up for my first race, although it was M35+ Open. I thought "it's a bunch of old guys, how hard could it be?" Turned out, HELLA hard.

The masters race is going to be full of Cat 1s, 2s, maybe a former pro or two. Around here, the 45+ is almost always harder than the Cat 3 race.
caloso is offline  
Likes For caloso:
Old 03-18-21, 12:05 PM
  #11  
caloso
Senior Member
 
caloso's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865

Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur

Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times in 1,417 Posts
Originally Posted by superdex
5. It will be hard enough.

Master 45+ will be 'open' which means you'll be blown off in just a few laps.

A lot of races will let you sign up for multiple, so there's no harm in doing both, though if the Master's is first you may be too toasted for another race.
That's what I was going to suggest, especially if the Masters race is later in the day. Just race that one for experience and fitness. Your goal will be to stay attached for as many laps as possible.
caloso is offline  
Likes For caloso:
Old 03-18-21, 01:28 PM
  #12  
AdkMtnMonster
Airplanes, bikes, beer.
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Off the front
Posts: 763

Bikes: Road bikes, mountain bikes, a cx bike, a gravel bike…

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 398 Post(s)
Liked 788 Times in 339 Posts
Originally Posted by Rides4Beer
As mentioned, don't let the Masters 45+ fool you, those guys are strong af. So unless you're really strong and just don't race a lot, I'd start with the Cat5 race and see how it goes.

I did my first (and only lol) road race last year in Cat 4/5, and did well. Same race is coming up again next month, I've improved enough (I'm not licensed, but would prob be a strong Cat3, maybe hit Cat2 with more focus/racing), so I'm going to do Masters this time (I'm 46), and it will def be a tough race.

True story right there. Discipline and familiarity with suffering is all it takes to be faster. And natural talent. Incidentally, I thought about a user name change of “Pedals_for_Whisky” but it seemed like a ripoff.
AdkMtnMonster is offline  
Likes For AdkMtnMonster:
Old 03-18-21, 01:32 PM
  #13  
topflightpro
Senior Member
 
topflightpro's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,567
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1851 Post(s)
Liked 675 Times in 427 Posts
As others noted, the Masters race will be much, much faster and more difficult than you expect.

That said, do not expect Cat 5 to be a cake walk either. There may be some very strong guys showing up for their first races and blowing the field apart. But don't let that discourage you. The truth is, Cat 5 is where they have everyone start, and some people are legit Cat 1s or 2s doing their first races. As you race more and gain more experience with racing, you'll find out where you fit.

Be sure to read through some of the beginner racer threads in the 33 Racing forum and check back to let us know how you do.
topflightpro is offline  
Likes For topflightpro:
Old 03-18-21, 01:41 PM
  #14  
Eric F 
Habitual User
 
Eric F's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,801

Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4836 Post(s)
Liked 7,827 Times in 3,707 Posts
Originally Posted by caloso
I was in the exact same boat as you when I signed up for my first race, although it was M35+ Open. I thought "it's a bunch of old guys, how hard could it be?" Turned out, HELLA hard.

The masters race is going to be full of Cat 1s, 2s, maybe a former pro or two. Around here, the 45+ is almost always harder than the Cat 3 race.
100% this ^^^!!!

Masters racing (any age group) is filled with guys who are experienced racers with a crap-ton of miles in their legs, and sharp tactical savvy. M45+ would be a very rough place for a newbie to start.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Eric F is offline  
Likes For Eric F:
Old 03-18-21, 01:59 PM
  #15  
Koyote
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,767
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6882 Post(s)
Liked 10,873 Times in 4,637 Posts
Originally Posted by caloso
I was in the exact same boat as you when I signed up for my first race, although it was M35+ Open. I thought "it's a bunch of old guys, how hard could it be?" Turned out, HELLA hard.

The masters race is going to be full of Cat 1s, 2s, maybe a former pro or two. Around here, the 45+ is almost always harder than the Cat 3 race.
I mostly race gravel now, not road. Most gravel races (at least, the ones I've done) have only age categories. My age category is usually 50-60, or 55-65, something like that...And I often would've placed HIGHER in a lower age cat. I can recall one race a couple years ago, when I was 4th in the 55-65 cat, and I would've won the 45-54 cat.

There are a lot of fast old people out there. I theorize it is because (1) their kids have long since left home and (2) most marriages have grown comfortable, and so there is plenty of time to train. And since earnings tend to peak in the 50s, more money for gear and race fees.
Koyote is offline  
Likes For Koyote:
Old 03-18-21, 02:34 PM
  #16  
alcjphil
Senior Member
 
alcjphil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 5,869
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1792 Post(s)
Liked 1,671 Times in 955 Posts
I agree that the masters race might be harder, but I believe that it might be safer. The more inexperienced guys you have in a pack the more disorganized and squirrely it will be. I would rather race with guys who know how to avoid trouble than a bunch of inexperienced people who may never have ridden in a pack before
alcjphil is online now  
Old 03-18-21, 02:44 PM
  #17  
Eric F 
Habitual User
 
Eric F's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,801

Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4836 Post(s)
Liked 7,827 Times in 3,707 Posts
Originally Posted by alcjphil
I agree that the masters race might be harder, but I believe that it might be safer. The more inexperienced guys you have in a pack the more disorganized and squirrely it will be. I would rather race with guys who know how to avoid trouble than a bunch of inexperienced people who may never have ridden in a pack before
Valid point. Also, riding solo after you get mercilessly ejected from the back of the group is very safe.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Eric F is offline  
Likes For Eric F:
Old 03-18-21, 03:20 PM
  #18  
Koyote
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,767
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6882 Post(s)
Liked 10,873 Times in 4,637 Posts
Originally Posted by alcjphil
I agree that the masters race might be harder, but I believe that it might be safer. The more inexperienced guys you have in a pack the more disorganized and squirrely it will be. I would rather race with guys who know how to avoid trouble than a bunch of inexperienced people who may never have ridden in a pack before
Well, that's one perspective. I think all of those Masters racers, confronted with a newbie racer, might have a different perspective.

Though as Eric F notes, it might only be a problem for a short time.
Koyote is offline  
Likes For Koyote:
Old 03-18-21, 04:50 PM
  #19  
alcjphil
Senior Member
 
alcjphil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 5,869
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1792 Post(s)
Liked 1,671 Times in 955 Posts
Originally Posted by Koyote
Well, that's one perspective. I think all of those Masters racers, confronted with a newbie racer, might have a different perspective.

Though as Eric F notes, it might only be a problem for a short time.
It's true that experienced masters might show disapproval of an inexperienced beginner, but I will take a few harsh words over somebody who has no idea about how to hold his line in a pack taking me down when he cuts in front of me
alcjphil is online now  
Old 03-18-21, 05:07 PM
  #20  
asgelle
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 4,514
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1028 Post(s)
Liked 447 Times in 263 Posts
Originally Posted by alcjphil
It's true that experienced masters might show disapproval of an inexperienced beginner, but I will take a few harsh words over somebody who has no idea about how to hold his line in a pack taking me down when he cuts in front of me
If your wheel was exposed so he could move over on you, it's your fault you went down.
asgelle is offline  
Old 03-18-21, 05:08 PM
  #21  
urbanknight
Over the hill
 
urbanknight's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 24,340

Bikes: Giant Defy, Giant Revolt

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 987 Post(s)
Liked 1,186 Times in 681 Posts
Originally Posted by alcjphil
It's true that experienced masters might show disapproval of an inexperienced beginner, but I will take a few harsh words over somebody who has no idea about how to hold his line in a pack taking me down when he cuts in front of me
But you have to keep in mind that the OP is quite possibly one of the guys who "has no idea how to hold his line in a pack"
__________________
It's like riding a bicycle
urbanknight is offline  
Likes For urbanknight:
Old 03-18-21, 05:17 PM
  #22  
guachi
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 520
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 229 Post(s)
Liked 327 Times in 179 Posts
Originally Posted by Rides4Beer
As mentioned, don't let the Masters 45+ fool you, those guys are strong af. So unless you're really strong and just don't race a lot, I'd start with the Cat5 race and see how it goes.
I don't race in real life, just on Zwift. When I look at results on Zwift Power it's filled with old people (I'm 47) who are crazy strong. When I've had a good race or group ride I'll friend them and they're all in their 40s or 50s or even 60s when I check out their profile. One long Zwift group ride (Haute Route 2020 with a few thousand riders) when I bonked up a long hill I got caught by a woman who is in her 60s.

In other words, I'd sooner race against Cat 5 in real life than other people my own age.
guachi is offline  
Likes For guachi:
Old 03-18-21, 06:47 PM
  #23  
Koyote
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,767
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6882 Post(s)
Liked 10,873 Times in 4,637 Posts
Originally Posted by alcjphil
It's true that experienced masters might show disapproval of an inexperienced beginner, but I will take a few harsh words over somebody who has no idea about how to hold his line in a pack taking me down when he cuts in front of me
You missed my point.

Cat 5 exists for a reason: it is for "inexperienced beginner" racers. In other words, racers who are not "masters."

Last edited by Koyote; 03-18-21 at 06:57 PM.
Koyote is offline  
Likes For Koyote:
Old 03-18-21, 06:49 PM
  #24  
Koyote
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,767
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6882 Post(s)
Liked 10,873 Times in 4,637 Posts
Originally Posted by guachi
I don't race in real life, just on Zwift. When I look at results on Zwift Power it's filled with old people (I'm 47) who are crazy strong. When I've had a good race or group ride I'll friend them and they're all in their 40s or 50s or even 60s when I check out their profile. One long Zwift group ride (Haute Route 2020 with a few thousand riders) when I bonked up a long hill I got caught by a woman who is in her 60s.

In other words, I'd sooner race against Cat 5 in real life than other people my own age.
Not sure that I'd call that "racing," but perhaps that is a subject for a different thread.
Koyote is offline  
Likes For Koyote:
Old 03-18-21, 07:04 PM
  #25  
alcjphil
Senior Member
 
alcjphil's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 5,869
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1792 Post(s)
Liked 1,671 Times in 955 Posts
Originally Posted by Koyote
You missed my point.

Cat 5 exists for a reason: it is for "inexperienced beginner" racers. In other words, racers who are not "masters."
Masters are classed by age, not by experience or ability. They used to call us veterans, but they changed that about 20 years ago not long after I started racing as a "master"
alcjphil is online now  
Likes For alcjphil:

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.