Masters Games (cycling) - Oct 9th-15th

[gplama]

We're headed over for a week of racing in SA, anyone else entered?

http://australianmastersgames.com.au/extra.asp?id=187

[bionic wombat]

MAS3 road race

[gplama]

MAS3 road race

Course looks like a bit of fun. Did a lap a few weeks back when I was over for the TT champs.

Is it used much for other races?

[bionic wombat]

Few clubs use that course for their races

[gplama]

MAS3 road race

How'd you go? Tough little course that one.... almost had a black snake in the spokes at one point of our race, little bugger wanted to join our breakaway!

[you cannot be sirrus]

What did you race in gplama? I took lots of pics today, you never know I might have got you somewhere in the 350 that I took.

[gplama]

What did you race in gplama? I took lots of pics today, you never know I might have got you somewhere in the 350 that I took.

MMAS1 - Blue/white Kosdown kit.



There will be some pain face pics if you got any of the last 2kms.

[you cannot be sirrus]

I'll have a look through my pics tomorrow, I certainly noticed the bike behind you, white with no markings, and I saw a few Scotts. Most of my pics were Cat 4 and 5 but I reckon I got quite a few of your race.

[bionic wombat]

MAS3 road race

How'd you go? Tough little course that one.... almost had a black snake in the spokes at one point of our race, little bugger wanted to join our breakaway!

this was my 3rd race in my debut racing season , 12th out of 18 riders, not to shabby as I was hoping top 10

[MichaelB]

Not being a racer, and whilst I didn't (as I'd get my buttocks handed to me on a platter), I'm curious as to whether I actually would have.

If I'm a 44 yo, and would effectively be a Grade D/E rider at club level, what Masters category/grade would I be in, and what sort of time would I need to have done for the Mens RR ?

I'm trying to decipher the grade/results, but finding it a bit confusing...

Can anyone help please ?

[Daccordi Rider]

Hi Michael,

You should race, come up to the Adelaide Hills Veterans club and have a go.

The Masters was raced in age groups, no handicaps. For your age group the boys were doing the 17km circuit in 25mins so averaging 40.8km .

Glad I didn't enter! As a reference I did the Mount to Murray race a few weeks ago, open C grade and we averaged 35.5km/hr for 90km.

[MichaelB]

Hi Michael,

You should race, come up to the Adelaide Hills Veterans club and have a go.

It's something I've often wondered about, and would like to try, but have additive tendancies so would get carried away. Also, regular times for cycling don't often work with other family committments, but maybe one day.

The Masters was raced in age groups, no handicaps. For your age group the boys were doing the 17km circuit in 25mins so averaging 40.8km .

Glad I didn't enter! As a reference I did the Mount to Murray race a few weeks ago, open C grade and we averaged 35.5km/hr for 90km.

I would have had more than my buttocks handed to me.

So looking at the results, with Giuseppe winning Cat 3 (40 - 44) in 1:50:20 for 70km, that's an average of over 38km/hr I'd be more like 28 - 30km/hr, so would taken another 20 - 30 min for the same distance ....

Definitely not racing ...

FFS, in the Mens, even the Cat 5 (50-54) guys avg. 38.6km/hr for 53km, Cat 6 (55-59) avg. 39.0km/hr for 53km, Cat 7 (60 - 64) avg. 35.3km/hr for 53km let alone the Cat 1 & Cat 2 fellas .....

I might have stood a chnace in the Womens Cat 3, where they averaged 33.5 km/hr for 35km ... or maybe the Mens Cat 10 (the 75-79 year olds), where they averaged 31.8km/hr for 17.5km....

Depressed now

[Daccordi Rider]

Michael,

What is interesting when you race is how much faster you do go than on a solo or training ride. If I went and rode that Mount to Murray course just normally I would probably average 30 but did 35 in the race. The bunch help, plus the adrenalin, not wanting to be dropped etc.

Strongly encourage you to have a try, I only race about once a month due to other commitments but it is great fun and you certainly take your cycling up a notch. All our races are graded so you race with those of similar ability.

[CliffG]

Hey Michael. Ditto to what Daccordi Rider said.

Don't be afraid to have a crack at racing. For all races, except championships which are age based you will be racing either graded or handicap events and will be surrounded by riders of similar ability and you will definitely improve by riding with better riders. There is a wide range of abilities across all the ages and unless your name is John Watters there is always going to be someone better than you to keep you honest.

As a reference I did the Mount to Murray race a few weeks ago, open C grade and we averaged 35.5km/hr for 90km.

I too was in the same race and even the same grade and must say that once the red mist descends you will be surprised at how much your performance lifts.

[Daccordi Rider]

When we get you to a race Michael, watch Cliff in the hills. He is a breakaway specialist!

[MichaelB]

I know re the grading, but wondering if they have a F or G grade

May do something yet ....

[Daccordi Rider]

Funny you should ask, yes they do!

[you cannot be sirrus]

Found one of #11wheelsucking gplama

[gplama]

Found one of #11wheelsucking gplama

ahha, nice one! He was fine there on my wheel. We crossed the line in the same order (+ a few 100m in between).

[you cannot be sirrus]

[gplama]

Oh yeah. You captured the pain. Love your work!

[you cannot be sirrus]

[alex]

thanks for the pics mate

[MichaelB]

Funny you should ask, yes they do!

Bugger, starting to run out of excuses.

Had a look at the 2011 schedule, and whilst the maps are good, are there profiles of them available ?

[Dahondude]

I know re the grading, but wondering if they have a F or G grade

May do something yet ....

Hey Michael
Just keep in mind that the Masters Games raced in age categories whilst local Open and Veterans races are done on a grading basis (irrespective of age). What tends to happen in age category racing is that you can end up racing against current A and B graders who happen to be the same age as you - so its not really a level playing field. But in graded racing you are racing against people who are meant to be the same ability as you (but they could be much older or younger than you). So what this all means is totally ignore the average speeds and times for the Masters Games. Instead take a look on some of the local vets club sites at race results - you'll be pleasantly surprised at how manageable the speeds/times are.