gschreckchat@comcast.net
What is worng with competitive fast Masters races? I do not think Masters races should just be slow plodding races, which if usually what you get with a 3/4 Masters race. Also, you forget that the Masters races are often 50 miles while the 1/2 racesa are much longer. For people with commitments, they may be able to trian for a 50 mile race and ride strongly, but a 70 to 90 mile race may be beyond their ability at their age or a distance for which they do not have the time to train.
I suggest you race whatever category you want and let the others races theirs. Eventually, things sort themselves out.
--
George Schreck
gschreckchat@comcast.net
(503) 502-0425
-------------- Original message --------------
From: Erik
If they're still competitive at the Pro/1/2 level, I could give two left nuts what their age is. They need to be racing based on ability.
Turning 40 doesn't make you slow slower than you were at 39. The rules now allow you to race in a field of riders younger than you - that's all. I'm still scratching my head as to why this category even exists.
If you pay attention to Pro/1/2 results in this state, a very high percentage of podium spots are taken by riders who are "masters" under USAC rules. If every eligible Cat 1/2 rider raced Masters 40+, we end up with a single-digit turn out for Pro/1/2.
So then you end up with a 40+ race that is the hardest event of the day. Super. So the few 20-something 1/2's on the road don't race against the best riders at the race and they don't get the challenge and the much needed experience they deserve.
I'm always hearing about how Masters are some of the strongest riders on the road. Well, Dammit, get your pathetic hide out of your little old-guy club and prove it.
The young 2's shouldn't have their development stunted by weak fields just because they're young and you're too lazy. This negative effect on other categories is what makes masters racing perhaps the most retarded concept in cycling today.
-Erik
From: gschreckchat@comcast.net
To: elongride@hotmail.com; qconant@gmail.com; obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Keep on rubbin' - the damage sandbagging does to us all
Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 20:23:45 +0000
If someone is a 1/2 and over 40, they are not sandbagging by racing masters. It is one of their categories. Is there something wrong with having strong masters riders and a hard fast quality masters race? Are masters races only supposed to be slow plodding affairs. The reason why the 1/2 category is small is because there are not enough young people taking up bike racing and bike racing is a sport that is aging. That is not going to improve by forcing old guys to race in the 1/2 category and reducing the quality of the masters races. Also, having raced in some Cat 3 races, I have not seen any dominance on that front, as most of the strong cat 3's have been upgraded.
--
George Schreck
gschreckchat@comcast.net
(503) 502-0425
-------------- Original message --------------
From: Erik
Forget about "sour grapes". What a cop-out. I have nothing to do with cat 3/4/5 or masters racing whatsoever, and this whole scenario pisses me off.
If you're not a beginner, stop whooping up on the 4/5's - you're not helping anybody by soloing in 5 minutes ahead of the group. There is no such thing as a "Cat 4/5 Champion", mmkay? Okay, so you "won". You're still just a schmuck who should be racing with the rest of the Cat 3's. You're worse than a wannabe, you're a should-be who chooses to stay in his proverbial dirty diapers in a last ditch effort to avoid big-boy pants.
Same goes for the 3's. If you've finally taken some initiative and done some real training and begun "dominating" the Cat 3 races, wake up and race with others at your newfound performance level.
When you stay at a level you have outgrown, you keep the next level from being as competitive as it should be and you keep those you're flogging from making t heir next step. You make yourself a road block for everyone who actually wants to improve. You're stifling our growth as a legitimate sport. Stop it.
I'm not the only one who's sick of seeing the pro/1/2 field shrink while perfectly capable 3's avoid upgrading because racing might actually be hard again (cat 1/2 "masters", I'm looking in your direction, too. Might you be switching to "Depends" a little too early?). You're all weakening the sport through what can only be called a lack of "juevos".
Yes, I'm judging you . . . and I'm right. You can argue and rationalize your inaction all you want, it'll still be bad for the sport.
-Erik
> Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 00:32:44 -0700
> From: qconant@gmail.com
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Re: Wow...rubbed some people the wrong way...
>
> sorry in advance, I can't resist...
>
> Regardless of if someone is actuall y a sandbagger, it just sounds like sour grapes if you complain about it publicly. It really does. It sounds like "I should have won, but someone else was faster, stronger, or more wily than I".
>
> Alot of us spend a great deal of time not winning, or even placing in a spot worth talking about. It's not fair, but that's just the way it goes. There's always someone out there who either has better tools, or can use what they have better.
>
> I dunno. Next time, mark the sandbagger and be their shadow, maybe you can use them to your advantage.
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--Forwarded Message Attachment--
From: elongride@hotmail.com
To: qconant@gmail.com; obra@list.obra.org
Subject: [OBRA Chat] Keep on rubbin' - the damage sandbagging does to us all
Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 18:58:17 +0000
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