Martha Walsh

Buried in the fine print on increasing numbers of OBRA race flyers this season is an exciting development in women's racing: cat 3 only races. 

These are not races where 3s are scored separately from, but are still overly challenged by, cat 1-2s.  They are honest cat 3 races (just like the men get) where riders have a chance to race only against their peers.  These races will give women the opportunity to try that team tactic stuff with similarly skilled riders instead of worrying mostly about just not getting dropped.  They offer a more level playing field for intermediate women racers to build their skills as well as fitness.  Hopefully, this will help cat 3s use their learning and experience to upgrade to cat 2, which is what will really grow the women's peloton and make for substantial, competitive fields across all women's categories.  And those riders who don't upgrade right away will still have new and improved skills for the rest of the races in the season where cat 1-2-3s all race together.
 
It's tough for a promoter to add a new category at a race, so please try to support those who have expressed a commitment to growing women's racing over the long term.  Race, volunteer, bring your friends.  Candi reports 102 category 3 women members in OBRA--that's enough for big field sizes and great racing.  If you have been intimidated by racing with the cat 1-2s, come try cat 3 racing.  If you think you'll miss the challenge of having cat 1-2s in your race, come find new and exciting ways for you and your teammates to make a race challenging.
 
Look for cat 3 races at these early events:
 
Cherry Pie
Jack Frost
Banana Belt 2 and 3
Cherry Blossom Cycling Classic
 
Good luck!  It's going to be an exciting season!
 
-Martha