-I had a great weekend at the To Tell and Back Stage Race. It was filled with some awesome climbs, especially for Southern Indiana, a great venue and a first class organizer.
The only issue some of us had were some of the participants, which brings up the question: When is it time to make the jump from Cat 3 to Cat 2? I know it is a big jump, but is it fun anymore to be able to just ride away from everyone in the field at all 4 stages?
It can’t be for the money. Even with the stipend the teams give out for entry fees, hotels, etc, the discounts at bike shops, and the prize money there can’t be anyone making much money. Why not upgrade and compete with the big boys?
Some people need to win or be at the top at all costs so some folks will always sandbag. And then others don’t even really realize that is what they are doing. They just truly see it as dominating their sport.
One of the guys in the group we ride with did just that this season. The coach told him if he could stay with the 1/2s at a local crit he was ready to upgrade but had to be prepared to suffer, a lot
The mandatory upgrade point for 3’s is incredibly high, it’s 30 (min field size of 30) points for 4’s and 60 points (only count results if field is 50 or over) for 3’s where I am at. I think elambi said he made over 1,000 dollars at one point this season as a 3.
I think the answer depends on whether or not a racer is racing under USCF or another state/regional racing organization. For the USCF, 25-points is required to upgrade and I seem to recall someone telling me that 60-points in a season is supposed be an automatic upgrade - that is assuming all events meet minimum field size and distance criteria. For the most part, in areas where the same crew officiates most of the time, you can bet that racers having a really good season will most liklley find themselves being by upgraded whether the racers wants to or not!
I’m not mad at the guys sandbagging, I just don’t understand why it would be fun anymore. Mixing it up in a pack and attacking are what make Crits and road races fun. I can understand soloing in on the last few miles/laps. And for the record, I didn’t get my ass kicked this weekend.
-I am waiting for the results to be posted, but I will let you know. When I talked with him, he didn’t sound like he was planning to upgrade. It happens. I know in a lot of races in Ohio, they don’t have 1/2 races anymore so a lot of people just stay 3s.
Eric, were you at the Joe Martin Stage Race this year?
One may upgrade from Mens Category 3 to 2 if one has emassed enough points earned in events meeting BOTH the field size AND minumum time/distance requirements.
One must earn 25 points over a rolling 12-month period to upgrade. 60 points over a rolling 12-month period will be an automatic upgrade. The minimum time/distances are as follows
Event - Minimum Distance/Time - Minimum Field Size
-I know about the points and what it takes. I have been forced to become very familiar with the USCF guidelines for upgrade. I’ve only seen one person automatic/force upgraded.
Any idea if the 60 point threshold means an automatic upgrade for any CAT? I’m showing 78 points through 3 races as a CAT5, but havn’t been upgraded, though I havn’t written in a formal request yet either.
Yes, I was at JMSR. I flatted on the first climb of the RR. It took about 5 minutes to get my wheel change and that was pretty much the end of my weekend.
I asked about the name of the rider because there was an Indiana rider that won Superweek overall (after having done quite well the previous year). I don’t think he intends to upgrade, although he definitely has earned a mandatory upgrade.
It is pretty rare for anyone to be force upgraded from 3s to 2s in the midwest. As for those that should upgrade, but don’t . . . I think it is the racers who realize that they won’t be able to do well at Cat 1/2 (which is almost 100% of Cat 3s, regardless of how well they are doing in the 3s), are unable or unwilling to do the extra work to do well at Cat 1/2, and find being pack fodder unacceptable.
The USCF upgrade system leaves a lot to be desired, but it is still better than triathlon where there are no ability-graded levels at all.
Those aren’t USCF points. The upgrade from 5 to 4 is 10 mass start races in a 12 month period. Or you can talk a regional coordinator/official/whatever after you “dominate” a few racesf or an upgrade. Those look like series points.
I know who you are talking about and I can’t remember his name. He catches a lot of crap around here when he races with the 3 or 3/4 races. The promoters in Indy have been really great about pushing him into the 1/2/3 races.
I can understand about how the amount of training would increase dramatcially for RR, but if you can win at Crits for the 3s around here, you can hang with the 1/2s.
the 78 points are so cal cup points, like everyone said, not USCF points. You have 25pts (2 x 10pts, 1 x 5 pts). 5-4 upgrade is only 10 mass starts, nothing more. I think you need to upgrade. I remember reading about your wins and the style that you won in (solo). Those are the highest caliber races that are offered regionally, so upgrade as fast as you can. Get in the classes that will teach you something, and leave the 5’s to guys that are not as capable. Just a couple of .01’s
the 78 points are so cal cup points, like everyone said, not USCF points. You have 25pts (2 x 10pts, 1 x 5 pts). 5-4 upgrade is only 10 mass starts, nothing more. I think you need to upgrade. I remember reading about your wins and the style that you won in (solo). Those are the highest caliber races that are offered regionally, so upgrade as fast as you can. Get in the classes that will teach you something, and leave the 5’s to guys that are not as capable. Just a couple of .01’s
I just sent in an upgrade request to USCF, hopefully the right person will get it and be having a good day.
trust me, you wont have a problem at all with an upgrade. I also think that you’ll have the same success in 4’s as you do now. It’ll get fun when you get to 2’s. I upgraded to 3’s this year and found it really similar to 4’s, except the sprinting ability gets deep. Being a three is nice, because most races have 1/2/3 races as well as 30+ 1/2/3’s if you feel up for it. Good luck, even though you won’t need it - E
I just upgraded to a 4 - had to do the ten race thing as well, so I feel for ya. It seems like forever to get the ten races. If you are winning races though - you’ll get the 20 points and upgrade quickly to a 3. You’ll also look back at those ten races and realize how much you learned - tactics become a big part of things.
