Pointers on getting started racing...

Oceanic said:

Hey, I really want to begin road bike racing

how do the ranks work?

How do I get picked up by a team?

is there literature on this???

how do the ranks work?

The faster riders go in the faster races.
To be a little more helpful it may depend what country you live in and what kind of cycling associations there are near where you intend to ride or race.

How do I get picked up by a team?

Win a few races. (or ask them nicely if you can train with their beginner riders).

is there literature on this?

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-4710807-1456726?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=cycling&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go

Pointers on racing .....

1. Train
2. Show up and race
3. Train more
4. Race more

Just show up and do the best you can. Get involved in group training rides if possible and working on a training regime to reach the goals you want to achieve.

Once you get involved you will learn all about the categories and what it takes to improve and move up through the system. The 1st step though is to get a license or show up somewhere where you can purchase a one day license and race. Agree with the post above that it depends where you live.

My first suggesstion is to find a good club in your town. Most clubs are trying to attract members and are more than willing to help you through the first year.

The categories depend on the country but generally have the same basic theme. In the US, men start as Cat 5s and women start as Cat 4s. After starting ten races, men can upgrade to Cat 4. Upgrades past Cat 4 are based upon performance and placings.

There are also categories based upon age. Juniors races as juniors...logical enough. Old guys can race as masters once they reach 30. If you are a master, do not enter the master races until you have experience. The reason for this is that the master races generally are not separated by category. In other words, if you enter a 40+ master race for your first race, you will probably be racing against Cat 1s and 2s. Most races won't even let Cat 5's race as masters.

Good luck. Train hard. Let us know how it turns out.