From: dinsdale@chtm.eece.unm.edu (Don McDaniel)
Subject: Re: USCF category upgrading proposal
Date: Tue, 08 Sep 92 16:35:28 GMT
Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
Distribution: usa

In article <1992Sep5.191623.28447@cbnews.cb.att.com> ampe@cbnews.cb.att.com (john.e.ampe) writes:
>
>I would love to see longer races (in all categories), but I see a big
>problem here for categories 3 and 4, at least in New England.  Of the
>27 USCF cat. 3 and 4 races I did last year, not a single one would
>qualify based on distance.  This includes all the major New England
>one-day and stage races.  The only cat. 3 race I can think of that
>would qualify is the Streaked Mountain spring race (85 miles, but has
>a small turnout due to remoteness and difficulty), districts (which of
>course is cat. 1-2-3) and the Harvard 100k (also 1-2-3).  I can think
>of no cat. 4 race that would qualify (districts last year were 90k).
>The only way to get points would be from overall placings in stage
>races (which apparently have no minimum distance requirements).
>
>Maybe someone will think of a race or two that I have overlooked, but
>the point is clear: either there is going to be a BIG change in race
>distances next year (not likely given that promoters are already
>making plans for next year's races), or no one will be upgrading in
>New England (except from 2 to 1).
>
>One possibility is to scale by category, say, 80k for cat. 3, and 60k
>for cat. 4.  Another consideration is the role of climbing.  For
>example, the Brandon Gap stage of the Killington Stage Race (being run
>today!) is only 45 miles, but with about 3500 feet of climbing is one
>of the most legendary among cat. 3 and 4 riders.  Mount Evans is less
>than 30 miles.  Mount Washington is 7.6 miles.
>
>It may make sense to start with distances now that at least
>approximate the average race distance for each class, and then
>gradually increase that distance over a period of years.
>
>John_Ampe@att.com

I have the same reservations that John expresses.

My first concern is that the 100k minimum upgrade distance is too long
for cat 4 and 5 racers.  There are three purposed to the categorization
system, and this requirement undermines two of them.

Categories serve to:
1) separate riders by skill level
2) allow new riders to ease into the sport while building strength and
	endurance
3) offer racing opportunities for those with limited training time

While I think a category 3 rider should expect and be conditioned for 
races of over 100km, to force lower category riders into these distances
is not useful.

I also share John's concern about climbing races.  Ironhorse is only 47
mi.  Everyone will agree that it's a real race with real competition.
It's also an oportunity for a climber like me to get results which would
be nearly impossible in a flat race.

Note that my interest is purely academic.  As a 31 year old cat 3 with
a wife and child, I have no aspirations toward upgrading.





--
_________________________________________________________________
Don McDaniel                           dinsdale@chtm.eece.unm.edu
Center for High Technology Materials
University of New Mexico
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles,rec.bicycles.marketplace