mmur-@teleport.com
thomas morgan [mailto:thoma-@hotmail.com]wrote:
"why are most races 35+ for masters, yet a state championship races there
30+?)"
The default position, under USCF rules, for Masters racing is 30+. There is
no mention of a definition of Masters in the newly adopted OBRA rules.
Regardless of which set of rules is being followed, individual race
organizers have the option of defining Masters as they see fit to match
their program. From a race organizer's point of view the reason to have
Masters fields is twofold; to decompress the overlarge Cat 3/4/5 group and
to take advantage of the large demographic group of people in this age
range. There may also be some enlightened self interest since most
organizers are in the Masters age group.
For many events a Masters definition that is 35+ works best. This is not
always the case, for example the Monday Masters and Women PIR is 30+. Other
events have defined it at 40+. Traditionally the State Championships have
followed the categories that are offered at Nationals as much as they can
without getting the field sizes too small. Each race organizer can define it
as they wish.
As to the idea making life for new riders (Cat 5) easier, I am in full
agreement. Last year when I asked people about what kept them from going to
more events I received several comments from people that went to their first
race, generally a 4/5 field, and got blown out the back in short order.
They then concluded that they were not fit enough to be bike racers and
didn't come back. Usually I get blown out fairly quickly the first few
races of the year too but I have been doing this long enough to know that
eventually I will be going OK later in the season. Beginning riders do not
have the benefit of that experience. I think if we want the sport to grow
it is essential that organizers try to offer some field that will be
accessible to the beginning racer. Let's have some more Cat 5 only and Cat
4 women races.
Mike Murray