I have a big announcement to make. For the 2012 season I am going to race the beginner (cat 3) class for mountain biking. I have decided that mountainbiking is not really my thing. I mean I do a couple of races each year in the spring, but it’s not really on my radar. The skills I have honed as a Mid pack Cat 2 masters cross rider or a Cat 3 road racer that only does training crits, clearly do not translate to difficult conditions, and completion I’ll face in the beginner class.
 |
| My ass is racing beginner. |
As cross is my true love, I find the shorter distances of the beginner mountainbike races will better suit my training needs. Plus, the bulk of early mountain bike races have start times early in the morning, so I can really enjoy my off season. Thank you for all supporting me in my decision. It was a tough call for me to come to, but watching how things have unfolded this year, I think this is best for me. Thank you all for your support.
Kinda of counter intuitive isn't it. A little unrational. But yet, it's happening.
From the USA Cycling Rule Book:
1D5. Cyclocross Conversion
Cyclocross categories may also be upgraded by conversion from a rider’s earned road or cross country category. If during the season, a rider upgrades his or her road category or XC category, the cyclocross category can be upgraded to match
the road or XC category shown below by request of the rider or by request of the administrator.
all we have is our honor.
respect
fatmarc
(I care)
Please note this is not directed at one person, and I want everyone to join in and race cross. Just do it in the appropriate class. At some level bike racing is bike racing and I refuse to believe that cat 1 mtbers can't handle the technical demands of a cyclocross course. I refuse to believe that experienced bike racers road or mountain ... well you get the point. Sandbagger blast of 2012 officially over.
7 comments:
Yeh man, I am leading them pesky C3 boys....until I was not!!! Our asses look fantastic.
Slummer...
hellyes! you go boy! im sending this to the ohio sand bagger blog. he will appreciate this. we had an expert MTB'er in a "beginner" CX race last sat. he won by 20 minutes or some shit. we heckeled him.
I upgraded and got hit by a car. If you downgrade an airplane will land on you or something. Maybe a tragic tug boat accident. Just saying, be careful out there.
just another whiney c3'r
This is actually a good arguement of why MTB racing in the region should be all USAC governed. If everyone had a license, it could be used to determine the best class. There are a lot of Expert MTB racers that dabble in cross (and road) and because they think they are not experienced, they race in the Cat 4/Cat 5 classes.
I have not paid attention to the top spot's in the race's but have heard rumbling's. I had to chuckle when I was accused of sandbagging the other day. My mid-pack C race finishes tell me I still have some work to do.
***My word verification had me type "irate" Irony?***
Post a Comment