To me its proof they are enjoying themselves. Its proof they have reached a level of fitness they are able to maintain year after year. Due in most cases to choice, they decide how much time and effort they are willing to put into bike racing. Without these people clubs would struggle to exist and there would be less racing for those who like to plan every pedalstroke in advance.winstonw wrote:Whereas, racing year after year in the same grade is proof of what exactly?
I started racing in D grade a couple of years ago, there was almost a year gap between my first and 2nd races and most have been in the last 6 months or so. I'm an unashamed fair weather racer mostly, I just race when I feel like it. I have never won a race, got a couple of 2nds. I have just moved myself up when I think I can hang on, had my first race in B a few weeks ago.
If I can race the next 40 years in B and C grade I will be a happy man. Hell if I am still racing when I am 75 I won't give a rats what grade I am in! We have one bloke in our club who is 74 I think and he is a E grade stalwart.