peoplecycle@verizon.net

Experience counts! I have seen many a strong ride, guys that can crush
in cross races that simply lack the pack/handling skills needed in road
racing. Good officials and coordinators have upgraded some riders out
of the 5's faster due to their massive early skill, but for most, it's
best to take the time and gain the comfort level needed. It would be
great to see more emphasis on skills too!

Best,

Chris Harnish, M.S., HFI
Exercise Physiologist & Coach
ESP Training Systems
"Unlocking the Secrets to Your Success!"
www.espanswers.com
Ph 508.965.3863
Fx 508.457.1712

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Candi Murray

Yes you are mistaken. There is no self selection in Road/track racing. All
riders start as 5s and work their way up.

Candi

-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Neil
Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 8:13 PM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] What makes a CAT 5

Maybe it's too early to start this...I am pretty sure I spotted a couple of
guys in the CAT 5 field at Hagg Lake that were kicking butt in the CAT C
Cross series this last fall and were upgraded to CAT B (and still did quite
well).

Am I mistaken in thinking that a CAT B Cross = CAT 3 Road?????

Neil
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Duncan Calver

I think the current category upgrade rules are (correctly) meant to account
the experience of a rider, not their fitness level. It does not necessarily
follow that one who is a B level 'cross racer automatically has the same
acquired skills to ride in the pack with the 3s. Also, one Banana Belt race
is not nearly enough to decide who should upgrade. And can 4s even be
downgraded? (if we downgraded a rider every time they placed below the top
20, the Murrays would have their hands full)

My 2 cents.
D

>From: "Brecht"
>To: "'Neil'" ,
>Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] What makes a CAT 5
>Date: Tue, 7 Mar 2006 21:23:58 -0800
>
>I think the results speak for themselves. Any Cat 5's who finished in the
>top 10 - 15 of the 4/5 combined field should probably upgrade. Any Cat 4's
>who finished in the bottom 20 should probably down grade. I think this is
>independent of what their Cross category is.
>
>Doug
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
>Behalf Of Neil
>Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 8:13 PM
>To: obra@list.obra.org
>Subject: [OBRA Chat] What makes a CAT 5
>
>Maybe it's too early to start this...I am pretty sure I spotted a couple of
>guys in the CAT 5 field at Hagg Lake that were kicking butt in the CAT C
>Cross series this last fall and were upgraded to CAT B (and still did quite
>well).
>
>Am I mistaken in thinking that a CAT B Cross = CAT 3 Road?????
>
>Neil
>_______________________________________________
>OBRA mailing list
>obra@list.obra.org
>http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>_______________________________________________
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>obra@list.obra.org
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Brecht

I think the results speak for themselves. Any Cat 5's who finished in the
top 10 - 15 of the 4/5 combined field should probably upgrade. Any Cat 4's
who finished in the bottom 20 should probably down grade. I think this is
independent of what their Cross category is.

Doug

-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Neil
Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 8:13 PM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] What makes a CAT 5

Maybe it's too early to start this...I am pretty sure I spotted a couple of
guys in the CAT 5 field at Hagg Lake that were kicking butt in the CAT C
Cross series this last fall and were upgraded to CAT B (and still did quite
well).

Am I mistaken in thinking that a CAT B Cross = CAT 3 Road?????

Neil
_______________________________________________
OBRA mailing list
obra@list.obra.org
http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org

Dan Houghton

There is no CAT "B". The "B" class was invented so there wouldn't be 250
rider
cross races.
A CAT 5 is a novice with a license.
When I started mass start road racing in 1976, there were only 4 categories.
I had thousands of long, hard miles behind me and was stronger than most
novices even if I had no strategery smarts.
Cross results do not necessarily translate to road competency.
The first time I raced a mountain bike, they asked what my road category
was. When I replied "cat 2", they said I was a "pro". When I said I didn't
want to be a pro, they said, "you're a cat 2, you're a pro. Go line up with
Ned & Tinker! Racing mountain bike was very hard for me.....

----- Original Message -----
From: "Neil"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 8:12 PM
Subject: [OBRA Chat] What makes a CAT 5

> Maybe it's too early to start this...I am pretty sure I spotted a couple
> of guys in the CAT 5 field at Hagg Lake that were kicking butt in the CAT
> C Cross series this last fall and were upgraded to CAT B (and still did
> quite well).
>
> Am I mistaken in thinking that a CAT B Cross = CAT 3 Road?????
>
> Neil
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
>

Neil

Maybe it's too early to start this...I am pretty sure I spotted a couple of guys in the CAT 5 field at Hagg Lake that were kicking butt in the CAT C Cross series this last fall and were upgraded to CAT B (and still did quite well).

Am I mistaken in thinking that a CAT B Cross = CAT 3 Road?????

Neil