Well, got the confirmation that I've been given my upgrade to Cat 3. Doing my first race as a 3 next weekend, should be interesting since it's a P1/2/3 race. Scoring is going to be seperate as far as points are concerned, and there are money bonuses for the 3's as well.

Any strategy here? Should I do everything I can to stay with the leaders, or do I do the 'race within the race' and try to stay with the lead group containing cat 3 riders (assuming these groups are different)? Just looking for a little advice from the people who have been in a similar situation.

Oh, this is an omnium, so we have the RR and TT on day one, with the Crit on day two.
I'm pumped!

Congrats. Now the races just get faster and longer. Sit in and be patient. Find a couple of respected riders you know of and sit on their wheel and watch - pedaling style, gears used, how they move up in a pack, response to attacks, etc. Team tactics are much more subtle than in Cat 4 races. These guys don't hesitate to use up inexperienced or clueless riders to close gaps. Be careful not to get caught on the front. If you've never raced with the pro 1/2 guys you may be in for a big surprise.
1. speeds will be higher especially at crunch time and the high speeds can last for a long time. .
2. They ride much closer together and expect you to do the same. Don't panic and be smooth.
3. Climbing speeds will be much faster. Be sure to place yourself properly in the pack.
4. Don't take an early pull to impress them, it won't. Stay with the main group as long as you can.
5. The crit will probably start at a much higher speed than you are used to. Be ready.
6. have fun.

[QUOTE=I'm pumped![/QUOTE]

Yes, you will be...pumping your legs that is, faster than you thought possible.

A big fat congrats on moving up, and here's to a great first time out with the big boys! You get 'em!

But, be aware if you try and hang with the pro 1-2's they will know who you are, and will be happy to take you out. They don't much care for the less experienced to be hanging in the group as it's dangerous for them as well when it gets fast and ugly. Stay safe, and keep yourself where you're not "in their way."

There will be plenty more races to show 'em what you got when you've got a little more experience in the big leagues. But hey, who am I to tell you? Perhaps you've got all the stuff already to get it done. Here's wishing you great success!

Cool, congrats!:thumbsup:

After riding with you last weekend, I'm not surprised in the least.

Hook up with Ben Stone, one of Memphis Velo Cat 3s. He's been killing just about everyone all summer long, and if you can stick with him you'll be in a good spot.

But, be aware if you try and hang with the pro 1-2's they will know who you are, and will be happy to take you out...

I've been on both sides of 1/2/3 races, and I've never seen anyone try to "take someone out" because of their category! Sheesh, bike racers are nicer than that! Yeah, don't be a sketchy rider or try to ride in a paceline where you open gaps every turn because you can't hold the wheel or something, but that's a nobrainer.

Anyway, the fun starts here. The overall pace of the Cat 3 races I did weren't a whole ton faster than the Cat 4 ones, it was just that instead of 25 guys who could go with a move, there were 75.

Tactically, you have the advantage that you know you're not trying to "win the race" overall. Don't take a pull, conserve, and just, like you said -- hang as long as you can. A lot of times the last 3 to get dropped from the 1/2's, wins. Try to sort out who the other fast 3's are in case that matters.

I've been on both sides of 1/2/3 races, and I've never seen anyone try to "take someone out" because of their category! Sheesh, bike racers are nicer than that! Yeah, don't be a sketchy rider or try to ride in a paceline where you open gaps every turn because you can't hold the wheel or something, but that's a nobrainer. .

That's good to hear. I witnessed it (and was the object of it once ) in both the men's and women's fields I would say a total of 3-4 times, one time being questionable the other three pretty blatant. And, always out of full view of the course officials.

But that was back in the late eighties, and that being so long ago, we had just barely gotten our opposable thumbs. Nice to know we've come such a long way, baby.

Could have just been the "culture" of the times and area I was mostly riding in, or more specific to individual, bad team "tactics."

yeah, I'm glad, too! I wouldn't be so hot on bike racing if that's what was up all the time. Dave Stohler notwithstanding...

I'm not saying I haven't seen a hook to the curb in a big-money crit, but you EXPECT that one.

Thanks for the posts and the congrats. I'll be sure to make sure I ride smooth and hold lines.

I have no plans on taking any pulls at the front of the pack, unless I somehow find a way to get into a breakaway.

This brings me to another question. The race is about 65 miles long, with a 2.5 mile climb about halfway through the race, and finishes on a 3.5 mile climb. Are there more moves and attacks that take place in these category fields? My guess is the first climb will separate the pack from the strong and the not so strong, and after that the lead group will begin with the tactics. Does this sound like something that might happen, or should I expect breakaway attacks to start from the get-go? Obviously every race is different, just looking for some general opinions on the way these big dogs in the P/1/2 race.

Time trial is pretty short in the afternoon, like 4 miles or so and looks to be pretty fast.

I'll try and be prepared for a rip-roaring fast pace in the crit. I've always found it fairly easy to stay near the front in the Cat 4/5 races, but this is a whole new monster I think. Hopefully it is not a 'big-money' crit, cause I'd hate to be put to the curb. Sounds like no fun to me.

If it were "big money," I can guarantee you it would not be p/1/2/3, and you would know it before hand; the promoter would make a stink about it.

As for what's gonna happen in the RR, it totally depends upon the combination of riders there, the team distribution, goals, etc etc etc. One of the differences of the 1/2 field, in general, compared to the lower categories, is that there's almost never the whole field just riding together. Pretty well everyone could attack, if they wanted, and they've all gotten past the Cat 5 mentality that "I should take a pull at the front, just to, you know, pick up the pace."

There's almost always an attack of some kind to start the race, often from what you will learn are the usual suspects...

One of the differences of the 1/2 field, in general, compared to the lower categories, is that there's almost never the whole field just riding together. Pretty well everyone could attack, if they wanted, and they've all gotten past the Cat 5 mentality that "I should take a pull at the front, just to, you know, pick up the pace."

Thanks for the heads up. Sounds like people are only on the front if there is a specific purpose for them to be there. Very different concept from the Cat 5's as you've mentioned.

I'm sure I'll learn tons just by being in the pack. I think I'm going to try and mark a few of the top Cat 3 guys, and try to stay on their wheels until the last climb. My only problem is I have a really tough time restraining myself when I see a group of people take off. I'm really proned to trying to get into these types of moves. Not sure if I could keep pace with the 1/2 guys in a small group for 40 or 50+ miles. Time will tell I guess...

Did I miss something here...do you have teammates, or are you riding unattached? Perhaps that detail is in an earlier post that I just didn't pick up on.

If you have teammates, have you gotten your heads together for at least an outline of a plan?

Just a thought.

Did I miss something here...do you have teammates, or are you riding unattached? Perhaps that detail is in an earlier post that I just didn't pick up on.

If you have teammates, have you gotten your heads together for at least an outline of a plan?

Just a thought.

Nope, won't have any teammates at the race. Just moved 1200 miles away from the team I was racing with, so I'll be doing this thing solo. I'm a bit disappointed about it too, since I really enjoyed discussing what our team tactics would be and how we would respond to different situations.

Nope, won't have any teammates at the race. Just moved 1200 miles away from the team I was racing with, so I'll be doing this thing solo. I'm a bit disappointed about it too, since I really enjoyed discussing what our team tactics would be and how we would respond to different situations.

Golly. That's tough. But, if you're having a good day on the bike (here's hopin' it is) and no one has you "marked" simply because they don't know you or your skills, it might give you an advantage if there's a way to work it from that angle.

So, just a couple days away now. Best to you, you'll do great :thumbsup:

Sounds like you did the River Gorge race?

How did it go?

Yes, no kidding B-fun. We're waiting for the race report. How did it go on your first time out with the big boys? Tail high, or tail tucked under, we wanna know.

Yeah im guessing you went to chattanooga with us. You should of told someone you were going there were 4 of us that went.


As for the upgrade, yeah so I thought you were the stongest cat5 ive ever seen. I knew by the way you rode you were no cat5 ;) You attack every little hill like a mad man. The first time you rode with us you made me throw up on that long climb that is along side the expressway on a thursday night, hah.


Gratz, how did you do? I didnt really see any of the 3 races. Was 3 of us that are 4s and we were not around the 1/2/3 really at all the way they had everything broken out. I had a blast, it was a great course and the biggest hill ive ever climbed in my life up racoon.

I'm shooting for the longest time between replies in the history of this forum :) . Actually didn't realize that there were further responses.

I ended up not doing the race due to some family issues. Had to help my sister move instead which was a total bummer. Wish I had a rockin race report to talk about. Still haven't raced as a Cat 3 yet, but just joined on with a new team here in Memphis and I'm definitely looking forward to next season.

Hope everyone's winter training is going well. Is it racing time yet????

I'm shooting for the longest time between replies in the history of this forum :) . Actually didn't realize that there were further responses.

I ended up not doing the race due to some family issues. Had to help my sister move instead which was a total bummer. Wish I had a rockin race report to talk about. Still haven't raced as a Cat 3 yet, but just joined on with a new team here in Memphis and I'm definitely looking forward to next season.

Hope everyone's winter training is going well. Is it racing time yet????

Which team did you end up on? You doing Trinity tomorrow?

Which team did you end up on? You doing Trinity tomorrow?

Joined up with MMW. Won't be at Trinity, there's a team ride at ten. Just read the tread about your injuries. Glad to see that you're back on the bike. I'm sure the fitness will come back to you fairly quickly.

I'm sure I'll be seeing you around.

I'm not so sure he meant the ol Breaking Away "frame pump to the front wheel", so much as really pick up the pace as soon as they see you're hurting.

a little late on the thread but congrats nonetheless on the upgrade. be ready to work as hard as you've ever done in the p/1/2/3 races. cat 3 races arent that much faster than 4/5- the guys are generally just smarter racers in cat 3. i was a regional cat 3 champ and in my first p/1/2/3 race- our district RR championship i learned what racing is all about- pain and suffering. it'll never end, but you will get faster!