The Decision

The first thing I thought when I crossed the finish line was that it was time to upgrade. I have been lucky to only have been caught in one crash this year, but I would have rather not been in any. Watching other races I realized that the higher the category the smoother the race goes.

It would be nieve to think that there are accidents in other categories or that anyone can race for a long time and not end up on the ground at some point. I have been lucky and have yet to fall in training. Not to mention that I really wasnt hurt and my bike only suffered a few minor scratches.


Once I had relaxed a bit and started to think about it, maybe upgrading wasnt the best idea right then. My last couple races had been primarily CAT 4 fields opened to CAT 5 racers. I was able to ride for the longer times and stay with the faster racers. However, I havent broke into the top 10 yet and that would be nice to do.


With only one major race left this season I had to choices, stay CAT 5 and go for a high placement or move up to CAT 4 and fight to finish in the field. There are no prizes in CAT 5 and the field is open to anyone to race. I mean literally anyone can race Mens CAT 5 or Womens CAT 4. At the Brentwood race there were two girls in street clothes riding beach cruisers in the race. I think that they made it 2 laps before they were lapped and pulled from the course.


CAT 4 offers the advantage of being able to get prizes for leading laps, and money up to 6th place (which is normally your entry fee value). People in CAT 4 have already done the 10 races in CAT 5 and they normally smoother and smarter. They work together and attempt organized breakaways. The down side is that they are faster and attack a lot more. That causes the field to stretch out and people to be dropped.


In the last two races I have really enjoyed riding with the CAT 4's. It feels good to be sitting at the front of the peloton with such fast racers. It felt even better to race longer and be pushed harder from start to finish. But I could place well in my race in San Clemente if I stay CAT 5. Not saying that I wouldnt do well in CAT 4 but realistically I know that I have a better shot at a top 10 in CAT 5. So it was time to make a decision, upgrade now and race with the faster boys or stay put and try to race for the win.


I decided to apply for the upgrade. I want to try to place well in CAT 4 and would feel better finishing in the field in CAT 4 than finishing towards the front in CAT 5. I want to race with the fastest people I can and push myself to beat them. I know that I will never race the Tour de France or the Tour of California but I would love to make it to CAT 2 so that I can race against those guys.


My not been approved yet but it should be in the next couple of days. Then I have to contact the San Clemente race organizers and have them move me up to the CAT 4 race. It will be a challenging race, lots of up and down and a short 8 turn course. I cant wait for it.