Message #1400

[Boostland]

I couldn't believe the speeds that C grade were doing - just as fast as the A graders when i was racing.

Are you sure it's not just that age has taken it's toll

I really don't think that there is a massive difference in A grade compared to years ago when I raced it, there are a lot more riders however in the various A grades around the area, the speeds of the lower grades did seem higher when I first came back to racing after a ~15 year break, getting put in C grade for my first race back and getting dropped on the first lap let me know I needed to be in D and train a lot more.

With a few months of solid training I went from being just able to hang on the back of D to being able to sit on the front for most of the race and place in the sprint, I could have gone up a grade faster by sitting on and winning the sprint but I wanted to get to the next grade and be able to ride near the front and swap turns.

So hang in there find some bunch rides or some buddies to ride with and turn up and race as many races as you can doing as much work as you can and I am sure you will find yourself back up the grades in no time flat, knowing how to race and train from being in A grade before is a massive advantage to someone that is just starting out and has to learn race craft as well.

Note that years ago if you were too fast and female it appears you could be banned from racing.

http://www.bicyclehistory.com.au/cyclists.htm

MOST EMBARRASSING WINNERS:

NSW women cyclists Barbara Whitcher (Newcastle) and Margaret McLachlan
(Dulwich Hill) were barred from racing against male cyclists in their clubs after winning
several events.