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Rider gradings

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Australia and New Zealand
Published
6 September 2003
Last activity
9 September 2003
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Andrew Lighten
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  1. I've got a bit of a newbie question here: how are riders graded for
    competition?

    I've seen mention of people being "D grade", "C grade", etc. What kind of
    performance criteria are used to determine what grade someone is in, and how
    could I get a rough idea of what grade I might be in should I choose to join
    a club and start competing?

    Thanks,
    Andrew.

  2. "Andrew Lighten" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I've seen mention of people being "D grade", "C grade", etc. What kind of
    performance criteria are used to determine what grade someone is in, and


    how

    Quoted message said:

    could I get a rough idea of what grade I might be in should I choose to


    join

    Quoted message said:

    a club and start competing?

    It's all voodoo. If an unknown shows up to a club race, the handicapper
    looks them over, and assigns a grade. If you haven't raced before, you
    generally get put into D grade, which is the second lowest. E Grade is
    usually reserved for the really old guys.

    So then when you blow D grade apart on your first race, and finish 400m
    ahead of the pack, a bunch of people will complain that you're a burglar,
    and you'll get stuck into C grade next week. Some people get a bit of a
    reputation for sneaking around the different clubs trying to con the
    handicapper into putting them into a lower grade than they really should.

    If you're properly graded, and a regular, you'll find your performance will
    generally improve with time, so after a while you'll stop getting dropped,
    then you'll start to get involved in the sprint, and get noticed by the
    handicapper. If you're on the podium too many times in a row, they'll
    suggest that it would be good for you to race with the next grade.

    Of course if you show up to your first race with enormous bulging shaved
    thighs, and a well worn expensive bike, be prepared to race your first race
    with the C or even B graders.

    Regards,

    Suzy

  3. Andrew Lighten said:

    I've got a bit of a newbie question here: how are riders graded for
    competition?

    I've seen mention of people being "D grade", "C grade", etc. What kind of
    performance criteria are used to determine what grade someone is in, and how
    could I get a rough idea of what grade I might be in should I choose to join
    a club and start competing?

    Thanks,
    Andrew.


    Good question. If you're interested in winning, try to get into as low a
    grade as possible, and like Suzy said, if you're graded too low, they'll
    soon put you up!

    OTOH, bike skills are generally better in the higher grades, so you'll
    learn good habits right from the start if they do put you in a higher
    grade. Also the bunch goes slightly faster in each grade, as you'd
    expect, so you might improve your conditioning faster if you race in a
    grade just above one in which you can comfortably sit in the bunch.

    I guess burglars are a real problem (like in handicap golf), but I
    didn't know whether to be flattered or insulted when for my first ever
    race, the starter was very dubious about my claim to be a rank beginner
    and therefore in D grade! He even asked (right in front of me) other
    guys in my club (which I'd only just joined) whether they knew me.

    The simple answer is if you're new to racing but reasonably fit and can
    ride in a straight line, you should start in D grade and work your way
    up (or stay in D grade and enjoy it!).

    HTH,

    &roo (who was misheard at the starter's table once and nearly ended up
    in a B grade race instead of D grade)

  4. "Andrew Lighten" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I've got a bit of a newbie question here: how are riders graded for
    competition?


    Varies hugely, club to club, event to event, country to country.

    When you get a grading in a club, DON'T think it has any relevance in opens
    (Cycling Federation events - those guys and gels are gooood!)

    Some of the greatest bulls**t artists in all humanity can be heard trying to
    establish their credentials with the handicapper as an "X" grader - "well
    I'm still recovering from the triple by pass, its my granny's old bike, I'm
    a certified slow old fat [censored], hardly ever raced before, might not be
    able to go the distance here..."

    The burglars get punted to a higher grade pretty smartly.

    You can tell when the handicapper has got it pretty right when there is a
    big bunch of you still together after the final corner and its anybody's
    race - great fun and builds riding skills like nothing else

    And ultimately, you are only competing against yourself - its what you can
    do, when called on to do it, that counts

    best, Andrew

  5. "Andrew Lighten" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:3f59f21a$0$95044$c30e37c6@lon-

    Quoted message said:

    I've seen mention of people being "D grade", "C grade", etc. What kind of
    performance criteria are used to determine what grade someone is in, and


    how

    Quoted message said:

    could I get a rough idea of what grade I might be in should I choose to


    join

    Quoted message said:

    a club and start competing?

    If you've realistically not done any racing before, put yourself in
    the lowest grade. Even being super fit doesn't mean you will
    win, there's tactics and rules to be learnt.
    If you wax the field then, sure, put yourself up a grade.

    It's quite hard to tell and I had the same question when I started.
    I worked my way up in D grade and in one race lapped the field.
    Entered into C grade after that and got a place or two, then
    crashed and my next C grade race (with many more riders)
    I was left for dead - so, even getting the grade right doesn't
    mean you will be near the front, or even be able to hang on!

    It's nice to win, but it's better to fight for the win!

    hippy

  6. On Sat, 06 Sep 2003 20:23:27 GMT, "Suzy Jackson" <[email hidden]>

    Quoted message said:

    "Andrew Lighten" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I've seen mention of people being "D grade", "C grade", etc. What kind of
    performance criteria are used to determine what grade someone is in, and


    how

    Quoted message said:

    could I get a rough idea of what grade I might be in should I choose to


    join

    Quoted message said:

    a club and start competing?

    It's all voodoo. If an unknown shows up to a club race, the handicapper
    looks them over, and assigns a grade. If you haven't raced before, you
    generally get put into D grade, which is the second lowest. E Grade is
    usually reserved for the really old guys.

    So then when you blow D grade apart on your first race, and finish 400m
    ahead of the pack, a bunch of people will complain that you're a burglar,
    and you'll get stuck into C grade next week. Some people get a bit of a
    reputation for sneaking around the different clubs trying to con the
    handicapper into putting them into a lower grade than they really should.

    If you're properly graded, and a regular, you'll find your performance will
    generally improve with time, so after a while you'll stop getting dropped,
    then you'll start to get involved in the sprint, and get noticed by the
    handicapper. If you're on the podium too many times in a row, they'll
    suggest that it would be good for you to race with the next grade.

    Of course if you show up to your first race with enormous bulging shaved
    thighs, and a well worn expensive bike, be prepared to race your first race
    with the C or even B graders.

    Regards,

    Suzy

    Hmm, I have always feared racing, since I only cycle occaisionally for
    fun. I guess if there are grades its a different matter though.

  7. Andrew...

    I was close!!! :-)

    Give me six months, and I may be ready to join you ... although, given the
    last 4, you'd best make that 12 months!!! :-)

    "hippy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    "Andrew Lighten" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:3f59f21a$0$95044$c30e37c6@lon-

    Quoted message said:

    I've seen mention of people being "D grade", "C grade", etc. What kind


    of

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    performance criteria are used to determine what grade someone is in, and


    how

    Quoted message said:

    could I get a rough idea of what grade I might be in should I choose to


    join

    Quoted message said:

    a club and start competing?

    If you've realistically not done any racing before, put yourself in
    the lowest grade. Even being super fit doesn't mean you will
    win, there's tactics and rules to be learnt.
    If you wax the field then, sure, put yourself up a grade.

    It's quite hard to tell and I had the same question when I started.
    I worked my way up in D grade and in one race lapped the field.
    Entered into C grade after that and got a place or two, then
    crashed and my next C grade race (with many more riders)
    I was left for dead - so, even getting the grade right doesn't
    mean you will be near the front, or even be able to hang on!

    It's nice to win, but it's better to fight for the win!

    hippy

  8. "Suzy Jackson" <[email hidden]> wrote in
    news:[email hidden]:

    <snip>

    Quoted message said:

    So then when you blow D grade apart on your first race, and finish
    400m ahead of the pack, a bunch of people will complain that you're a
    burglar, and you'll get stuck into C grade next week. Some people get
    a bit of a reputation for sneaking around the different clubs trying
    to con the handicapper into putting them into a lower grade than they
    really should.

    I will never understand the theory behind this ? As far as I am concerned,
    the guy coming _last_ in C grade is _better_ then the guy coming first in D
    Grade therefore you should be trying to progress THROUGH the grades as soon
    as you can.

    Maybe they should engrave the "trophy" that way ?

    "First in D Grade but not as good as the last guy in C Grade" 🙂

    --
    Trevor S

    "Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth."
    -Albert Einstein

  9. "Trevor S" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    Some people get
    a bit of a reputation for sneaking around the different clubs trying
    to con the handicapper into putting them into a lower grade than they
    really should.

    I will never understand the theory behind this ? As far as I am concerned,
    the guy coming _last_ in C grade is _better_ then the guy coming first in


    D

    Quoted message said:

    Grade therefore you should be trying to progress THROUGH the grades as


    soon

    Quoted message said:

    as you can.

    There's usually money involved. I got $10 for finishing 2nd in my D grade
    race on the weekend. Also, only the first three ever get a mention in the
    results. Everyone else might as well not exist. Having said that though,
    if it's not hard work, then it's not particularly enjoyable and you're not
    extending yourself.

    I have the most fun when I know I'm within striking distance of a placing,
    when I know that if I'm having a good day, and if I ride the race using my
    brains rather than my legs, and if I just get a little lucky at the end,
    that I'll get a place. Last weekend was particularly sweet. One of my team
    mates went up the road with a kilometre to go, and I reckoned that was the
    winning move, so I sat up and didn't chase him, but instead sat on the
    wheels of those who did. As it happened we passed him with 100m to go, and
    I'd been sitting in for the start of the sprint, so went hard at (almost)
    the right time. The first four placegetters were all within about 2 metres
    of each other.

    I went up to C grade a couple of months ago voluntarily, as I figured the
    extra speed would do me some good, but after a few weeks of going off the
    back half way through the race I dropped back to D grade, as it's not fun to
    get your [censored] whipped every week.

    However it looks like my stint in C grade has been good for me, as now I've
    got a placing in D grade. With luck (and a hell of a lot of training) I
    hope that I'll get a bunch more placings, and will then go to C grade
    happily, knowing that I've got a good chance of hanging on for most of the
    race.

    Regards,

    Suzy

  10. How long are the races typically?

    On Sun, 07 Sep 2003 12:20:00 GMT, "Suzy Jackson" <[email hidden]>

    Quoted message said:

    "Trevor S" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    Some people get
    a bit of a reputation for sneaking around the different clubs trying
    to con the handicapper into putting them into a lower grade than they
    really should.

    I will never understand the theory behind this ? As far as I am concerned,
    the guy coming _last_ in C grade is _better_ then the guy coming first in


    D

    Quoted message said:

    Grade therefore you should be trying to progress THROUGH the grades as


    soon

    Quoted message said:

    as you can.

    There's usually money involved. I got $10 for finishing 2nd in my D grade
    race on the weekend. Also, only the first three ever get a mention in the
    results. Everyone else might as well not exist. Having said that though,
    if it's not hard work, then it's not particularly enjoyable and you're not
    extending yourself.

    I have the most fun when I know I'm within striking distance of a placing,
    when I know that if I'm having a good day, and if I ride the race using my
    brains rather than my legs, and if I just get a little lucky at the end,
    that I'll get a place. Last weekend was particularly sweet. One of my team
    mates went up the road with a kilometre to go, and I reckoned that was the
    winning move, so I sat up and didn't chase him, but instead sat on the
    wheels of those who did. As it happened we passed him with 100m to go, and
    I'd been sitting in for the start of the sprint, so went hard at (almost)
    the right time. The first four placegetters were all within about 2 metres
    of each other.

    I went up to C grade a couple of months ago voluntarily, as I figured the
    extra speed would do me some good, but after a few weeks of going off the
    back half way through the race I dropped back to D grade, as it's not fun to
    get your [censored] whipped every week.

    However it looks like my stint in C grade has been good for me, as now I've
    got a placing in D grade. With luck (and a hell of a lot of training) I
    hope that I'll get a bunch more placings, and will then go to C grade
    happily, knowing that I've got a good chance of hanging on for most of the
    race.

    Regards,

    Suzy

  11. "Trevor S" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I will never understand the theory behind this ? As far as I am concerned,
    the guy coming _last_ in C grade is _better_ then the guy coming first in


    D

    Quoted message said:

    Grade therefore you should be trying to progress THROUGH the grades as


    soon

    Quoted message said:

    as you can.

    Tell that to the guy that came last in C grade. Look at the face of
    the person that came first in D grade and that should explain why
    some people want to stay in lower grades. Moving up should be
    a goal but it can't be nice getting whipped week in week out.

    As for moving through grades as fast as possible - I don't think
    that it's such a good idea. I learn something every time I go out
    and I'm still racing D after a brief stint in C grade and lots of
    time not racing. There's lots to be learnt racing - speeding
    through grades might mean you've got fitness but you'll get
    to a point where it doesn't help because you need more than
    fitness to win.
    If you don't know how to hold a wheel, etc. when you get to
    the higher grades you wont get far.

    Also, it's better to make mistakes in the lower grades, I think,
    rather than in the grades where people are taking it quite a
    bit more seriously.

    hippy

  12. "Suzy Jackson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:QnF6b.87701$bo1.21295@news-

    Quoted message said:

    There's usually money involved. I got $10 for finishing 2nd in my D grade

    $10 can't seriously be the reason people would choose to
    stay in a lower grade? Surely it's more than money people
    want from cycle racing?

    Quoted message said:

    race on the weekend. Also, only the first three ever get a mention in the
    results. Everyone else might as well not exist. Having said that though,

    Personally, having my name written in a results list doesn't mean much. I
    know what place I got and that's the important part. e.g. my "concussed
    but not last place" result in my first ever race means something to me but
    will never get listed anywhere.

    Quoted message said:

    I have the most fun when I know I'm within striking distance of a placing,
    when I know that if I'm having a good day, and if I ride the race using my
    brains rather than my legs, and if I just get a little lucky at the end,

    I have to say I don't mind getting a good result (whatever that may be)
    using
    pure, brute-force, muscle-tearing, must.... keep.... pedalling.... physical
    effort.
    Different races are good or bad for different reasons though I think.
    If I race well, tactically, sweet!
    If I out-sprint someone, sweet!
    If I bridge a gap and none follow, then get dropped and I'm left in no man's
    land for the rest of the race... well ok, that's not so sweet :-P

    Quoted message said:

    that I'll get a place. Last weekend was particularly sweet. One of my


    team

    Quoted message said:

    mates went up the road with a kilometre to go, and I reckoned that was the

    You have team mates? In D grade? Damn.. I've gotta start hiring! :-)

    Quoted message said:

    However it looks like my stint in C grade has been good for me, as now


    I've

    Quoted message said:

    got a placing in D grade. With luck (and a hell of a lot of training) I
    hope that I'll get a bunch more placings, and will then go to C grade
    happily, knowing that I've got a good chance of hanging on for most of the
    race.

    Mmm, I wish there were more races on when I'm feeling good. Seems I
    go well in one race and then there is nothing else on for a month.
    If I get a place in the next D grade race I think I will ask to be put back
    in C grade and see how that goes.
    Yeah, just checked the calendar, next "race" is a hill climb ITT up the
    1 in 20 (it's listed on www.cycle2max.com) so I've got last year's time
    to beat. Not much in the way of tactics, just pain. At least this year I
    might remember to warm up!

    hippy

  13. "Arpit" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    How long are the races typically?

    Criteriums are:

    C 45mins + 3
    D 30mins + 3
    Jun 20mins + 3
    B 60mins + 3
    A 60mins + 3

    from:
    http://www.blackburncycling.org.au/racing/roaddetail.html#07/09/03

    Road races are 50k up to 250k or more depending on grade.

    1:20 hillclimb time trial is ~7k in 20min if you are me, or 15min if
    you are fast :-)

    Steele's Creek ITT is 36k in 59:29 if you are me and 51:55 if
    you are Richard England.

    hippy

  14. "Arpit" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    How long are the races typically?

    Short and fast, so you're on the verge of exploding the whole way. RBCC
    usually does the following:

    E Grade: 6 laps (12km) @ 26-30km/h
    D Grade: 10 laps (20km) @ 32-34km/h
    C Grade: 14 laps (28km) @ 34-36km/h
    B Grade: 16 laps (32km) @ 36-38km/h
    A Grade: 18 laps (36km) @ 38-40km/h

    Crits favour sprinters.

    Regards,

    Suzy

  15. "hippy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I have to say I don't mind getting a good result (whatever that may be)
    using
    pure, brute-force, muscle-tearing, must.... keep.... pedalling....


    physical

    Quoted message said:

    effort.
    Different races are good or bad for different reasons though I think.
    If I race well, tactically, sweet!
    If I out-sprint someone, sweet!
    If I bridge a gap and none follow, then get dropped and I'm left in no


    man's

    Quoted message said:

    land for the rest of the race... well ok, that's not so sweet :-P

    One of the most enjoyable races I've done was a few weeks ago. We had a
    club champs 7.5km ITT on the next weekend, so I figured It'd be neat to see
    how fast I could go for four laps (8km). I gave it everything I had
    straight from the start line, and after a lap or so a couple of people
    bridged to ride with me. That break lasted fully five laps, and was amazing
    fun. I usually have a go at some point through the race, simply because
    I've never thought of myself as a very good sprinter. Of course, it never
    works, but it's fun all the same, and I'm sure it takes some of the speed
    out of the sprinters legs.

    Saturday was the first time I didn't try to go off the front (when I was
    feeling good). Not that I didn't do any work - I did my turns up front to
    keep the pace high. This sprinting lark is a lot of fun, I must say.

    Quoted message said:

    You have team mates? In D grade? Damn.. I've gotta start hiring! :-)

    Hehehe. Not so much a team as a bunch of likeable reprobates who turn up
    week after week, and occasionally look out for one another, except of course
    when they're trying to tear your legs off. Gotta do everything possible to
    keep those nasty Waratah guys out of the placings.

    Regards,

    Suzy

  16. "Suzy Jackson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    fun. I usually have a go at some point through the race, simply


    because

    Quoted message said:

    I've never thought of myself as a very good sprinter. Of course, it


    never

    Quoted message said:

    works, but it's fun all the same, and I'm sure it takes some of the


    speed

    Quoted message said:

    out of the sprinters legs.

    Don't say "never". One of these days something will happen - you get a
    burst of power, weaker field, planets aligned, etc and your break away
    will be ignored. Then you will time trial home for a win. It happened to
    me once and I still don't know how/why it happened.
    I will usually have multiple attempts at messing with the field, even
    though I'm primarily a sprinter. I often spend too much time out the
    front, whether it be trying to prompt a break or chasing down
    someone else's break.
    In some perverse way, I like the thought of putting the other riders
    under stress. I don't want to roll around a track for half an hour and
    have the race decided in a sprint on the final lap (although this is the
    norm). I want to split the field apart early, catch out people who are
    not warmed up (usually me!), have a bit of fun with people, rather
    than just do a bunch ride until the 3 lap sign comes out...
    Seriously, mess with the field, not only is it fun, but one day you
    will be ignored and solo away for a win :-)

    Quoted message said:

    Saturday was the first time I didn't try to go off the front (when I


    was

    Quoted message said:

    feeling good). Not that I didn't do any work - I did my turns up


    front to

    Quoted message said:

    keep the pace high. This sprinting lark is a lot of fun, I must say.

    If you want to have a shot at the sprint here's what I've been told and
    I've tried a couple of times to varying success. Watch the front of the
    field and note any strong riders in top spots - not necessarily the
    front.
    Also, anyone else who looks like a sprinter or looks like they are doing
    it easy. Mark them! When 3 lap sign comes out or final lap or whatever
    make sure you are on their wheel and make sure you are in 2nd, 3rd or
    4th position. So, when the sprint starts and the strong person you are
    hanging off the back of go's.. you follow, hopefully having saved a
    little
    bit more energy than them, giving you the speed you need to come around
    them on the line.
    I've tried this and it does work, but you have to pick a good wheel.
    This
    is the hardest part for me, that as well as not reacting quick enough to
    the bunch attacking on the last lap/s. Both causing me to be swamped
    on the line.

    Quoted message said:

    Hehehe. Not so much a team as a bunch of likeable reprobates who turn


    up

    Quoted message said:

    week after week, and occasionally look out for one another, except of


    course

    Quoted message said:

    when they're trying to tear your legs off. Gotta do everything


    possible to

    Quoted message said:

    keep those nasty Waratah guys out of the placings.

    Ahh, most of the races I do have a few Blackburn people in them and I'll
    help them if I can unless it's an all Blackburn race in which case I'm
    going for the win! :-)
    I know a couple of other races better than most so I pay special
    attention
    to them in a race and will help if I can and receive offers of help from
    them depending on the nature of the race and how they are feeling.

    hippy

  17. Suzy Jackson said:

    "Arpit" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:alamlv8-
    [email hidden]:alamlv8nkotkod3fatf19vmm9ajper1-
    [email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    How long are the races typically?


    Short and fast, so you're on the verge of exploding the whole way. RBCC
    usually does the following:
    E Grade: 6 laps (12km) @ 26-30km/h D Grade: 10 laps (20km) @
    32-34km/h C Grade: 14 laps (28km) @ 34-36km/h B Grade: 16 laps
    (32km) @ 36-38km/h A Grade: 18 laps (36km) @ 38-40km/h
    Crits favour sprinters.
    Regards,
    Suzy

    This is a silly question, but I ask it because I have never been in a
    race let alone gone for a club ride. So I don't have any yardstick to
    measure myself against.

    I commute everyday to work with a backpack which weighs 5-10 kg. The
    trip is over 17 km on each leg. Every afternoon I have to paddle against
    the head wind. I use part road and part cycle path, and have to cross
    traffic lights and streets. Also I get to slow down every time I have to
    pass inconsiderate pedestrians who take the entire bike path with their
    dogs. Considering all these, my monthly average speed (over about
    500-600 km) is usually around 26.5 kmh. I take this as my training
    sessions! Now my question in regards to the race categories is: Can you
    tell me how would I perform if I was in a D grade race? I appreciate all
    that was said before about other real-time factors involved in a race. I
    just need a yardstick!

    Thanks.

    --

    Quoted message said:

    --------------------------<


    Posted via cyclingforums.com
    http://www.cyclingforums.com

  18. amirm said:

    This is a silly question, but I ask it because I have never been in a
    race let alone gone for a club ride. So I don't have any yardstick to
    measure myself against.
    I commute everyday to work with a backpack which weighs 5-10 kg. The
    trip is over 17 km on each leg. Every afternoon I have to paddle against
    the head wind. I use part road and part cycle path, and have to cross
    traffic lights and streets. Also I get to slow down every time I have to
    pass inconsiderate pedestrians who take the entire bike path with their
    dogs. Considering all these, my monthly average speed (over about
    500-600 km) is usually around 26.5 kmh. I take this as my training
    sessions! Now my question in regards to the race categories is: Can you
    tell me how would I perform if I was in a D grade race? I appreciate all
    that was said before about other real-time factors involved in a race. I
    just need a yardstick!
    Thanks.

    It's not a silly question. Most commuting isn't done on roads/routes
    which you'd normally ride, or at times of the day you'd choose to ride.

    I race C in the crits, which average around 36-38kph. I have no issues
    hanging in there and am usually in the top ten in the sprints, hopefully
    will be going to B in the crits this year. My average speeds for riding
    to work with a crumpler are about 25kph, nd the fastest I ever have gone
    is averages around 27 with a tailwind.

    Stopping/starting, carrying loads, riding on bike paths, riding through
    the city all make it near impossible to avergae in the 30's on a commute
    unless you ignore all the road rules. On the plus side, it's good for
    your bike skills and responsiveness.

    Sounds like your fitness would be fine for D, but you'd need to do a few
    races to learn how to stay with the bunch and win.

    Regarding the previous question of why you don;t get put up automaticaly
    if you win once - mathematically, there would be a lot of A graders if
    everyone kept getting out up and noone left in D grade. The crit season
    goes for about 5 months, with three or four crits per week. Hence, you
    nede to show dominance in the grade before you get put up.

    --

    Quoted message said:

    --------------------------<


    Posted via cyclingforums.com
    http://www.cyclingforums.com

  19. "Shabby" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    (Shabby - I replied to your post on CyclingForums but the server
    spat it back at me, reckons you can only post 1 message every
    60 seconds.. funny coz I've only posted one message there in
    24 hours! mumble grumble.. anyway I can track stand on it now.)

    Quoted message said:

    I race C in the crits, which average around 36-38kph. I have no issues

    I've not looked at avg. speed for my D grade races. Must do that.

    Quoted message said:

    will be going to B in the crits this year. My average speeds for


    riding

    Quoted message said:

    to work with a crumpler are about 25kph, nd the fastest I ever have


    gone

    Quoted message said:

    is averages around 27 with a tailwind.

    My avg. commute would be 26-27kph. My best is approx. 33kph.

    Quoted message said:

    Stopping/starting, carrying loads, riding on bike paths, riding


    through

    Quoted message said:

    the city all make it near impossible to avergae in the 30's on a


    commute

    Quoted message said:

    unless you ignore all the road rules. On the plus side, it's good for
    your bike skills and responsiveness.

    The 33kph was during school holidays with little traffic, all on road,
    with a backpack and a good run with lights (i.e not many/any stops).
    It's also slightly downhill for the 26k (uphill on the way home though).
    I don't ride through the city either and probably had a tailwind. I was
    on my slicked mtb too - should try again with my nice roadie.

    Quoted message said:

    Sounds like your fitness would be fine for D, but you'd need to do a


    few

    Quoted message said:

    races to learn how to stay with the bunch and win.

    Don't worry about speed or fitness. If you ride a bit you can at least
    enter
    a race and find out about it. If you come dead last you will know where
    you stand and can try again after some training, or even more races.
    Racing
    makes you faster, simple as that.
    I was scared in my first race and I still get butterflies (I'm still a
    newbie really)
    but it's damn good fun. :-) Give it a shot!

    hippy

  20. "Suzy Jackson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    "Arpit" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    How long are the races typically?

    Short and fast, so you're on the verge of exploding the whole way. RBCC
    usually does the following:

    E Grade: 6 laps (12km) @ 26-30km/h
    D Grade: 10 laps (20km) @ 32-34km/h
    C Grade: 14 laps (28km) @ 34-36km/h
    B Grade: 16 laps (32km) @ 36-38km/h
    A Grade: 18 laps (36km) @ 38-40km/h

    Just out of curiosity, does the circuit have a climb in it or is it
    very exposed and technical ?

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