There is a lot of talk about my choice to race with the Cat 4 men this weekend, so I have a few things to contribute to the conversation.
I am a cross-country mountain bike racer, where I hold a pro license. I’ve also dabbled in cyclocross, where I’m a Cat 2 racer. I’ve done a lot of races, I’m strong and fast, and I know how to work hard and how to compete. I train six days a week on both trails and road, and I’ve put in some serious bike time in the past three and a half years. Aside from the logistical reasons mentioned in my race report, these reasons are why I chose to race with the Cat 4 men.
Because I had never done a road race, I did not know just how important it was to understand how to ride in a pack. In mountain bike racing, you pick your category primarily based on fitness and how well you can ride the bike. That’s what I did: I know I can keep up with men who race Cat 4, so I decided to enter that race. Was it a mistake? Probably. Was my crash a result of my inexperience? Probably. I know I didn’t just ride into Andrew, as some have said, because I was there when it happened and I know what didn’t happen. Should I not have gone into that gap? Should I have let the guy on my right know I was coming in? Probably yes on both counts. That’s where having more experience would have helped. But until I got into the race, I didn’t know what I was missing.
The best I can do now is take a step back, figure out what I need to learn, and adjust accordingly. I’m racing with the Cat 4 women at Black Hills this Saturday. I’m also registered to race with the Cat 3/4 men in Richmond this Sunday, but I’ll rethink that (so all of you Cat 3/4 men can return the body armor you’ve probably ordered this morning). I never intended for anybody to get hurt, I wasn’t trying to get in over my head, and it was an accident.
To the people who have been supportive and/or at least provided helpful feedback, thank you. I appreciate your willingness to forgive my mistake. To the rest of you, the ones questioning me, fine. Fair enough. I have no place with the Cat 4 men until I learn how to ride road races properly. But rest assured that once I figure out the skills part, I’ll be in your races and you’re welcome to grab my wheel. I didn’t make it to this point in my cycling career by being soft or unwilling to work hard and learn, and I certainly don’t plan to change that now. When I can get my road racing skills up to the level of my fitness, we’re going to have some good races together.
Why not race the womens race at Richmond. It is in the afternoon. It will be easier to learn in that peleton. Not as many racers, not as aggresively bumping elbows, or fighting for spots,and it happens at slower speed. making it much easier to learn.
Something against racing in the womens peleton?
I’ve already switched to that category.
First, glad you (& others) walked away in tact. Don’t really want to get involved with speculating on why this happened, but from my vantage point, the primary difference missing in your experience is managing the unpredictable nature of other riders. Sometimes you have to weigh the risk (of a move) vs the reward. Was that a pivotal part of the race where if you hadn’t tried to move through that gap at that precise moment the race was over? Everyone has their risk tolerance, but the important thing is that moves shouldn’t endanger others. You just HAVE to expect the unexpected when riding in a pack. That’s why the saying, “always protect your front wheel” is so important. Be predictable and smooth with your maneuvering and you will earn the respect of the other riders. You’re obviously a tough cookie with some real ambition…hang in there.
I’ve debated whether or not to submit a comment – but I’ve been thinking about what transpired over the weekend quite a bit, and looking ahead to the first race(s) of the season at Black Hills and at Richmond, I feel like I might as well voice my thoughts out loud.
I race Women’s 4s, and in a word, I find this post insulting – it suggests that there is some sort of “stepping back” or “stepping down” or “conceding” that’s taking place, by your “opting out” of the men’s 4’s and joining the ladies race.
We all start somewhere. And many of the women that I know that race, whether it’s Cat 1, 2, 3, or 4 train just as hard, hurt just as much, crash just as badly, as do the men. We all get up at 5 am to travel to races. We get up at 5 am to train. We put in hours in the snow and in the rain. We put in consecutive 80+ mile days. We also arrive at the race line, expecting to race. Ideally we respect each other, and we also respect the sport.
Race starts are earned. Racing well is earned. Sorry to step up on a soap box but if you want a hard race, if you want a challenging race, then participate in local women’s racing. If you think that you bring to the table a level of competition that needs to be out on the road, then get in the game – and make everyone else step up theirs.
Or, you might get to the start line, and find that there are women just as strong as you are, some that are not as strong but far smarter in a pack.
And at the end of the day, you might win but you might lose. Don’t assume for a minute that you’ve won already. Races aren’t that predictable. And a lot of women out there are going to surprise you.
I don’t see any suggestion that racing with the women is a step down. All I discussed was my training and experience and my choice to race with the men on occasion. I also never presumed that a win in any field was a guarantee; I’ve done enough races to know that it’s anyone’s race until the finish line.
No matter how well you ride or race, when you blog you invite critics. Everyone wants to think they do it better or that what you’re learning (the hard way) came as common sense to them. Then add to that the classification thing. Folks get so caught up into this. Some folks can ride a few races and be totally safe. Some can ride hundreds and be a cat2 and still scare the hell out of everyone. Ride whatever race they allow you in and tell everyone who questions you to screw off. You get better by getting in over your head 🙂
everybody’s got to start somewhere and learn somehow, good for you for at least trying! nice roasties by the way 🙂
Lindsay: “… I’m strong and fast, and I know how to work hard and how to compete. I train six days a week on both trails and road, and I’ve put in some serious bike time in the past three and a half years… these reasons are why I chose to race with the Cat 4 men.”
Perhaps it is my mistake for assuming that the implied statement or comparison is “instead of the Cat 4 women,” but I also think that what you made is a pretty strong suggestion.
I certainly agree that you do get better by getting in over your head, and also that you might be surprised by what getting in over your head can look like in a women’s race. It’s different, but that’s not to say categorically that it’s any less challenging.
I guess you could say I’m a proponent of women’s racing and women’s athletics – as a whole, and in support of the individuals who make it happen. I want ladies to join the fields, to race hard and race smart, and I know a lot of people out there want exactly that.
Look forward to see you at the line this coming weekend.
Here’s an obvious question – how can any rider enter into a Men’s Cat4 race without having the required 10 mass start races under his/her belt? I’m pretty sure that’s a USAC rule/requirement. Doesn’t this apply to all riders, without regard to gender? Crashes happen, for a myriad of reasons, and that’s a part of the sport – however in both women’s and men’s categories, a rider cannot choose to ride ‘up’ a level without first either getting the upgrade points, or getting a certain number of good pack finishes. You cannot defend the “I’m strong enough” rationale as reason to enter into any race without having the required level of experience and/or points. If you are strong, put in your time, get your points and/or races in, then cat up. That’s how it’s done…
Did you miss the part where I said that I realized I’d made a mistake, and that the “I’m strong enough” argument was not actually an argument, but an incorrect initial assumption?
I read the blog.. and have to agree.. pretty bold of you to jump into a men’s CAT 4 race as your first road race, in a criterium by its nature the most technical of all road events.
USAC has a system for moving through the categories. For the men is it 10 mass starts to move from CAT 5 to CAT 4, so at least the guys in the field toed the line 10 more times than you had.
Plus.. though the women’s fields are small, most are run as women’s OPEN, which means all the women from CAT 1 – 4 and 40+ race ALL together. Though the fields might be smaller than the men’s try handing on a CAT 1 women’ wheel your first race.
She will learn some lessons about humility and egos will be put in check at Richmond when she gets whipped by the womens field.
I’m impressed with everyones ability to jump on soap boxes and lecture as if none of you have ever made a mistake before. Funny thing is, SSweet, that because of your tone and attitude, any valid points behind your argument are completely lost. You just sound bullish and rude. What you all don’t realize, or fail to acknowledge, is that Lindsay learned her lesson in a very painful and spectacular way. All this “Monday Morning Quarterbacking” is both ridiculous and unnecessary. Underneath the defensiveness (based on an overdramatic reaction from most people), there is a great deal of humility and an understanding of what went wrong and what she did wrong. Go back to your lives and give her a break. This vitriol has outworn its welcome.
And Steve, please leave. You’re not tough or cool because you can say shit like that. Given time to figure these races out, I believe you’ll be proven wrong. Now go away, troll.
Richmond International promises to be an awesome race, and potentially super fast. To follow on Steve’s comment above, I’m going to quote the blog post: “I have no place with the Cat 4 men until I learn how to ride road races properly. But rest assured that once I figure out the skills part, I’ll be in your races.” Is that really how you feel? Is that really your impression of women’s racing? I’m interested to see what happens in the coming weeks. The women’s 4 field alone at Black Hills is larger than the men’s 3/4 field was at Sleepy Hole; Richmond is a “deceptively easy” course as it’s flat with few turns is an open race that will be challenging for myriad reasons that have nothing and everything to do with terrain, and it is an open race; Jeff Cup the following weekend may again exceed the field size of Sleepy Hole, and for many women out there it’s a goal race. And a number of those women who step up to the line have been training six days a week, know how to work hard, and know how to compete. Many of those ladies are strong and fast. Many ladies have years of experience on the bike or as elite athletes in other sports. And they’re out there, yes to gain experience, but also to race, to win, to upgrade, and to earn those future starts as they are, in fact, earned.
Blue, point well taken. If the tone is bullish and rude, that certainly isn’t the intent. I am very very glad that Lindsay is OK, and before posting anything, I did check in to be sure she was, in fact, not injured. My decision to post, and my decision to continue to post has more to do with continuing a conversation than with driving anyone, or any point into the ground.
I’ve continued to challenge and push points, but you are very right in pointing out that a different rhetorical strategy would likely be more effective and also more well-received, and I mean that (and the following) sincerely:
Lindsay, you are strong. And you are determined. And that is awesome. And for all those reasons, I want you to race with us. The women’s racing fields here thrive on strong athletes and great competition. I would hope that you would join in the women’s races not because you’re biding your time until you can move on, but because through participation, you can be an integral part of strengthening the field – as well as getting out there and kicking some tail.
With respect, what’s it matter if she wants to run in the men’s fields? Under the rules the USAC’s laid out, it’s allowed. While the early-season races that have been tossed around have seen higher-than-average attendance for the ladies, it’s important to remember that this is a historical anamoly.
Black Hills is relatively local, and has been elevated as a result of the cancellation of Vint Hill. This isn’t to detract from Bike Doctor’s efforts, but it’s important to note. Also, Jefferson Cup has always been a premier event. This year, the addition of the Nature Valley Pro Selection has further enhanced it’s visibility. Richmond, unfortunately, has proven to be more the norm: a women’s 1/2/3/4 field with, as of 3/15, a grand total of 9 entrants (Lindsay included).
Let’s not forget that it’s only March. While everybody will continue racing in the summer, attendance does often suffer as we leave spring behind due to the myriad of options available in the warm months.
Contrast the questionable attendance – or even option – of a women’s race with the men’s. You’re guaranteed a field (be it 4 or 5, both of which a woman 4 is allowed to enter) which will be, if anything, over stocked, with anxious racers. Given the liklihood of the spread in the women’s race at Richmond – a 1 through 4 is alsmost guranteed to break up within the opening minutes – could anybody be blamed for wanting to work back to a place that has 72 competitors?
Before anybody takes away the wrong impression: you’re right, only more female entries will increase the popularity of women’s racing. But is it Lindsay’s duty to bring that to the table? If she’s not complaining about the lack of options, then it wouldn’t seem so.
From this vantage point, she’s recognized her error and done what she can to correct it. So she wants to make it back to a the guy’s 4 field… so what? If it happened to any of us, would we not want to take stock, improve, and prove that we’ve improved as a result?
Sort it out on the circuit.
Mr. Blue I stand by my comment and it will come to pass
Alright read earlier blog. First you deadlift with straight legs. that is like taking a sledgehammer to your arm and expecting it not to break. Then jump into mens 4 and wreck. Point is take the time to learn about what you are getting into beforehand. both come across as extremely brash and wreckless.
I’ve been a personal trainer for ten years and straight leg deadlift has almost always been in my repertoire. Is it risky? Yeah, a bit. Is it stupid and reckless? Nothing of the sort. People make mistakes. I seriously doubt you’ve never made a mistake in your life, Steve, and if you haven’t, you’re not taking enough risk in my opinion. Your ability to judge and be critical is astounding. I’m glad we’re not all as perfect as you must be.
How about that, Steve? Lindsay just took third overall out of the 1/2/3/4 Women’s. You were wrong. I knew you would be.