And by the way, 23 of the 26 people who responded to my poll on this subject agree with the sentiments of the author that the 45+ field should be split.

http://www.ncncaracing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=295

You are so right about the Elite 3's and 4's, and the relative safety of the 45+ cat. The former are surging, swamping, hormone-fests. As one of the 15 or so who went down in the pile of 3's at Cherry Pie, I thoroughly endorse your viewpoint.

I also encourage the author to try the 45's. It is thrilling and a mindf--- to race against that kind of strength and experience. SOMETIMES.

But I also agree with Ron that there needs to be a variety of groupings for the 45+ riders. We shouldn't be able SOMETIMES to race against our own age AND skill level. And I think that's what the author of this thread is looking for. A safer ride without the massive attacks and lapping speed of the uber champions.

In one respect, I think BAR/BAT does the community a disservice. It is a competition of stats and generally puts pressure on promoters to conform to rigid categories. In some cases, the competition discourages riders from attending races with uncommon or experimental divisions.

As one of the organizers of the Albany Crit, I was a bit disappointed to hear that someone was picking up the BAR/BAT mantle, because I knew there would be some negative response to our 40+ 3/4 category. (Although there have been a couple of e-mails, that cat will be the first to sell out anyway).

I again encourage promoters to limit the 45+ field by skill category, and hopefully some (but not all) will. And I suggest the Albany Crit to the author of this thread.

It's been a long discussion about splitting the 45+ field. I enjoy racing against those who are experienced and savy. It means a safer peleton. I HATE some Elite 3 races simply becauses of the huge fields, bunch sprint mentality, and dangerous manuvers like I saw at Cherry Pie this year. In order of difficulty at a criterium I rate the 35+1-3 hardest, followed by the 45+ open, and Elite 3 as the easiest. The race I choose to ride often has to do with how much I'm willing to suffer that day.

Two of the top tens I placed in to upgrade to cat 3 were in 40+ open fields. And knowing that some were national champions in those races added to the thrill. Had I not been able to race with them, since I was a 4 then, would not have given me hope that I could compete with the big guns. And riding Nationals would've never seemed viable. If Natz aren't your focus, by all means ride with the 4s and 5s and try to explain to those outside the cycling community how that compares to the Tour of California, for example. To be in the top 30% at Nationals outweighs winning a 4/5 race in some industrial park. That's my opinion, and I believe Joe Public would agree with me.

From my experiences, the Masters 45+ is the safest (aside from 55+) group! They have been through enough crashes and dangerous groups in earlier years, and they know pain.

They tend to watch out for safety for each other, call out hazards, friendly, and just want to have fun.

The motto tends to be (at least I like to state it at races) "Finish the race without any broken bones!", tends to get lots of laughs.

It may seem a tough fast group because they are all seasoned-experienced, there to race, may are the cream of the crop and past winners.

My mother use to stay "play with boys your own age!"

Try them.

star2305 wrote:Brother Maynard wrote:The demographics do warrent such a thing.

Could some one explain that to me.. xx(

Explain what?

Brother Maynard wrote:The demographics do warrent such a thing.

Could some one explain that to me.. xx(

>Based on the demographics, the thing that makes sense is having two or >more 35+ 4/5 races.

39% of the 35+ Cat 4/5's are over 45 years old.

25% of all Cat 4/5's are over 45 years old.

Demographically, the case for a separate race is convincing to me.

>But which races you hold depend on what the goals of your event are.

True.

Based on the demographics, the thing that makes sense is having two or more 35+ 4/5 races. But which races you hold depend on what the goals of your event are.

The demographics do warrent such a thing.

If not a 45+ 4/5, then 45+ 3/4/5 should still yield a desirable field size for any promoter.

Ron

rocco wrote:do ya'll think there will ever be 45+ 4/5 category. I'll be 45 in January and I'm not going to be able to race 45+. That group is a tough crowd. 35+ 4/5 is ok, but I've seen too many crashes, been in a few myself.