Considering Joining the Club

[ahamilton]

Jason,

If being new to racing is all that you're worried about - don't. We have plenty of members that just started racing last year, and hopefully more new ones this year.

I'm sure you can meet your goal of competing in a race in 2009. If you join the club, there are any number of experienced racers that will be more than ready to impart plenty of advice to get you ready for your first race.

Alan

[taudep]

Though the club has some fast riders, there's plenty of us who aren't, and who are relatively new to racing ourselves (this past year's Cyclocross season was the first for me, along with a few Wells' Ave crits).

The great thing is that riding with faster/better bikers is the best way to improve.

Plus the knowledge floating around here on everything biking has been invaluable, as people are really helpful. Plus, it's motivational to get out to ride when you've committed to meeting people and you'd otherwise find some excuse not to ride.

So join up...I need some company back here.

[michaelcole]

Jason, Those first few lines gave me a good laugh.
None of us reading this board has ever raced "professionally" before.

We're all just a bunch of pretenders who have fun trying to be a little bit faster than the other pretenders.

Road racing is broken into categories: 1 through 5.
Only category 1 racers can race as pro's. There aren't many pros in the whole country.
Most any club is comprised mainly of 4's and 5's. We also have a bunch of 3's and a few 2's

You would start out as a 5. We have a ton of guys who have some experience but are still 5's and would be racing along side of you, able to give pointers and advice during your first race.

Send me an email at: cat23 at minutemanroadclub dot com

[reeegan]

A lot the races also have combined cat 4/5 races so you'd get to race w/ the 4's as well.

[ahamilton]

Welcome Jason. And let me point out that not all races have hills! Having legs like "quadzilla" will put you in the money in criterium races, which tend to be short flat courses. I get humbled by "heavyweights" (and most everybody) in those kind of races every time.