Seems like a simple answer; where the old guys n gal’s race!
Well yes; but here’s a little more.
USA CYCLING MASTERS CATEGORIES
Men and Women Masters Racers must be of the Racing Age of 30 and older.
Racing Age Categories are in five year increments.
30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49 and so on.
At the US Masters Nationals and most larger events a minimum of a Category 3 Racing License is required.
In smaller and local Masters Racing Events, it is up to the Event Promoter and often will allow Category 4 Racers and even on some occasions Category 5 Racers as well.
At the US Masters Nationals as well as most State Championship Events; Racers Must race in the appropriate Racing Age Category.
Many Masters Event Promoters allow Masters Racers to compete in Age Categories below their particular Age Category. You see these races designated as 30+, 40+ and so on.
At the Race Event Promoters discretion you may also find multiple Event Categories combined to race with other Categories. They can be scored together or separately. Once again up to the Race Event Promoter. This gets confusing sometimes.
In Arizona most Race Event Promoters have Racing Categories of 30+, 40+, 50+ and 60+.
It may sound a little confusing sometimes, it’s really not!
Get out and RACE and HAVE FUN!
I’m interested in racing “Masters” and have been issued a Cat.5 license. If one is issued a Cat. 5 license and wishes to move up to Cat. 3 or 4 what system is in place to do so?
When I raced during the 70′s and 80′s it was up to the state USCF rep. to upgrade the license. Is the same system in place in AZ? Thank you in advance.
Best,
Don Winar
Hmm… Good question.
I’ll defer this to our resident master’s racing expert.
Oh Mr. Staub…
The ugrade process is handled electronically via USA Cycling. The State Rep is still involved in the process it’s now much easier to submit a request.
Simply put; 5 to 4 is relatively easy.
You have to compete in 10 Mass Start USAC races.
To move on to a 4 and then a 3 it is a bit more challenging.
To see the complete directions on the USAC site here
http://www.usacycling.org/news/user/story.php?id=580