Often, in a given 5 year age category there are only 1 – 3 riders. It boosts incentive and interest if there are plausible, comprehensive, carefully worked out individual age standards for any race – Australian pursuit, massed start, hill climb (whether individual start, Australian pursuit, or massed start), or criterium (whether 25, 20, or 15 year spread). For any race a rider will have a reasonably objective, meaningful standard for comparing his performance with that of any other rider in the race including those significantly younger than he but in his own 10 year starting group.
It is easy to get overfocussed on times, results, competition. ‘Just enjoy the ride and athletic exhilaration’ is a useful reminder. Does it really matter if you are fastest in your own 5 or 10 year age group? For some a chief goal of cycle racing is to have a good work out and maintain mental and physical buoyancy and vitality rather than get ego gratification through beating the other guy. However, even with the former attitude it is useful to know where you stand in relation to other riders, your particular age, own past performance, and own particular athletic goals.
Age standards (allowances) for a massed start will be less (faster) than those for an Australian pursuit format for the same course or distance. More drafting benefit in the former. Similarly, age standards (allowances) for an Australian pursuit will be less (faster) than for an individual time trial format.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
A,B, and C Riders.
Part of Velociraptor cycling philosophy is to promote lifelong cycle racing for all ability levels. In order to provide interest and incentive for less gifted or less dedicated riders the new Velociraptor season-long competitions – scratch, and all-inclusive age standard (separate from our regular BCMCA overall) – will have separate divisions for male A and B riders.
Clearly there is no sharp divide between lower-level A rider and upper-level B rider. I propose the following criteria for an A rider – male.
In the fastest 25-30% of riders (who race more than 10 times per year) in his 5 or 10 year age group in time trials, hill climbs, and sprints.
Surpasses the following age standards for 16 k (10 mile) or 40 k (25 mile) individual time trials on an average course.
30. 23-00 57-30
35. 23-10 58-10
40. 23-30 59-00
45. 23-50 1-0-0
50. 24-15 1-1-0
55. 24-40 1-2-0
60. 25-10 1-3-0
65. 25-45 1-4-30
70. 26-25 1-6-30
75. 27-10 1-8-30
80. 28-10 1-11-0
85. 29-30 1-14-0
90. 30-50 1-17-30.
Exact standards for each year can be extracted by interpolation.
We should welcome and encourage riders who because of genetic endowment, physical disability, medical condition, or time constraints cannot match the performance of regular B riders. If we regularly attract 10+ male riders who do not meet B standards I will introduce separate competitions – scratch, and all-inclusive age standard - for a C division.
I propose the following criteria for a B rider – male.
In the fastest 60 –80% of riders (who race more than 10 times per year) in his 5 or 10 year age group in time trials, hill climbs, and sprints.
Surpasses the following age standards for 16 k (10 mile) or 40 k (25 mile) time trials on an average course.
30. 26-00 1-6-0
35. 26-20 1-7-0
40. 26-40 1-8-0
45. 27-00 1-9-0
50. 27-30 1-10-0
55. 28-00 1-11-30
60. 28-30 1-13-00
65. 29-10 1-14-40
70. 30-00 1-16-30
75. 31-00 1-18-30
80. 32-20 1-21-0
85. 33-50 1-25-0
90. 35-30 1-29-30.
Again, exact standards for each year can be extracted by interpolation.
Separate divisions within female riders will be introduced as we get more women riders.
Please let me know before March your best performance of the previous season and if you think you should be in the A or B division.
Clearly there is no sharp divide between lower-level A rider and upper-level B rider. I propose the following criteria for an A rider – male.
In the fastest 25-30% of riders (who race more than 10 times per year) in his 5 or 10 year age group in time trials, hill climbs, and sprints.
Surpasses the following age standards for 16 k (10 mile) or 40 k (25 mile) individual time trials on an average course.
30. 23-00 57-30
35. 23-10 58-10
40. 23-30 59-00
45. 23-50 1-0-0
50. 24-15 1-1-0
55. 24-40 1-2-0
60. 25-10 1-3-0
65. 25-45 1-4-30
70. 26-25 1-6-30
75. 27-10 1-8-30
80. 28-10 1-11-0
85. 29-30 1-14-0
90. 30-50 1-17-30.
Exact standards for each year can be extracted by interpolation.
We should welcome and encourage riders who because of genetic endowment, physical disability, medical condition, or time constraints cannot match the performance of regular B riders. If we regularly attract 10+ male riders who do not meet B standards I will introduce separate competitions – scratch, and all-inclusive age standard - for a C division.
I propose the following criteria for a B rider – male.
In the fastest 60 –80% of riders (who race more than 10 times per year) in his 5 or 10 year age group in time trials, hill climbs, and sprints.
Surpasses the following age standards for 16 k (10 mile) or 40 k (25 mile) time trials on an average course.
30. 26-00 1-6-0
35. 26-20 1-7-0
40. 26-40 1-8-0
45. 27-00 1-9-0
50. 27-30 1-10-0
55. 28-00 1-11-30
60. 28-30 1-13-00
65. 29-10 1-14-40
70. 30-00 1-16-30
75. 31-00 1-18-30
80. 32-20 1-21-0
85. 33-50 1-25-0
90. 35-30 1-29-30.
Again, exact standards for each year can be extracted by interpolation.
Separate divisions within female riders will be introduced as we get more women riders.
Please let me know before March your best performance of the previous season and if you think you should be in the A or B division.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Welcoming Recreational Racers
Encouraging people to ride BCMCA events who have neither desire, time, nor ability to become winning riders within their age group, broadens support for cycle racing. Broader participation in cycle racing is connected with increased awareness of, and popularity of, cycling as a viable, commuting, shopping, touring option. This in turn has individual, social, economic, and environmental benefits.
Cycle racing should encourage participation by riders who are not top athletes but who still want an exhilarating, satisfying, athletic experience. Cycle racing should include not just dedicated, genetically endowed, specialists pushing themselves to the limit but those who want more mellow, fun, recreational racing. Cycle racing could attract a broader range of participants as do 10 k runs, marathons, triathlons, soccer, baseball, etc.
Cycle racing at a top amateur level for any age group is a very demanding sport. However, I maintain cycle racing should focus on the average guy not on developing an elite who can compete at national, international, or Olympic level. Cycle racing should be an available option to any boy or girl, man or woman, or senior who is looking for a group sporting activity for fitness and all-round wellbeing. Cycle racing can be promoted more as a fun activity for people of all ages and ability levels. It does not have to be presented as an extreme sport for fanatics and super athletes.
Racing cyclists should do more to encourage and welcome 35-45 year old males who get a sense of personal achievement and satisfaction from beating 1-15-00 for a 40 k (25 mile) individual time trial (32 kph/20mph). Similarly for 55-65 year old males happy to beat 1-20-00 (30 kph) for a 25, and 75 year olds glad to be alive, active, and still beating 1-26-00 (28 kph/17.5 mph) for a 25. One can admire the performance of older elite BC racing cyclists like Don Gillmore, Olaf Stana, Emile de Rosnay, Derek Tripp, etc. yet still have appreciation and respect for the average guy not at peak fitness, not racing flat out, and still managing to fit bike racing into a busy schedule.
We need to avoid the attitude: ‘I can’t win, therefore I won’t get any respect or recognition, therefore I won’t bother competing, I’ll just look inferior.’ We can remind ourselves there are many other worthy activities and achievements in life besides prowess in bike racing.
The emphasis should be on creditable performance not on winning. Someone who finishes 35th may be contributing as much to the sport and society as one who finishes 5th. In cycle racing we tend to admire riders who can ‘suffer’, push themselves to the limit, but there is a place for appreciating those who can turn out strenuous rides, have a good work out, but keep themselves within limits. On the running track for instance I can learn to enjoy doing a 400m in 1-30 rather than busting my guts to beat 1-15. Competition need not mean being in the first 3 but can mean reaching a certain standard given limited training time, and without riding oneself into the ground.
We should be welcoming in cycle races riders of moderate ability who do not have top equipment. We should be attracting cycle commuters, randonnneurs, cycle tourists, etc. who want to race only once a month. People could be encouraged to race even if they have only a commuter, touring, or winter bike. A hill climb, 10 or 25 mile time trial, or 64 k road race should be just as available to the average sports/fitness minded person as a 10 k run, half marathon, or local soccer league.
Cycle racing should encourage participation by riders who are not top athletes but who still want an exhilarating, satisfying, athletic experience. Cycle racing should include not just dedicated, genetically endowed, specialists pushing themselves to the limit but those who want more mellow, fun, recreational racing. Cycle racing could attract a broader range of participants as do 10 k runs, marathons, triathlons, soccer, baseball, etc.
Cycle racing at a top amateur level for any age group is a very demanding sport. However, I maintain cycle racing should focus on the average guy not on developing an elite who can compete at national, international, or Olympic level. Cycle racing should be an available option to any boy or girl, man or woman, or senior who is looking for a group sporting activity for fitness and all-round wellbeing. Cycle racing can be promoted more as a fun activity for people of all ages and ability levels. It does not have to be presented as an extreme sport for fanatics and super athletes.
Racing cyclists should do more to encourage and welcome 35-45 year old males who get a sense of personal achievement and satisfaction from beating 1-15-00 for a 40 k (25 mile) individual time trial (32 kph/20mph). Similarly for 55-65 year old males happy to beat 1-20-00 (30 kph) for a 25, and 75 year olds glad to be alive, active, and still beating 1-26-00 (28 kph/17.5 mph) for a 25. One can admire the performance of older elite BC racing cyclists like Don Gillmore, Olaf Stana, Emile de Rosnay, Derek Tripp, etc. yet still have appreciation and respect for the average guy not at peak fitness, not racing flat out, and still managing to fit bike racing into a busy schedule.
We need to avoid the attitude: ‘I can’t win, therefore I won’t get any respect or recognition, therefore I won’t bother competing, I’ll just look inferior.’ We can remind ourselves there are many other worthy activities and achievements in life besides prowess in bike racing.
The emphasis should be on creditable performance not on winning. Someone who finishes 35th may be contributing as much to the sport and society as one who finishes 5th. In cycle racing we tend to admire riders who can ‘suffer’, push themselves to the limit, but there is a place for appreciating those who can turn out strenuous rides, have a good work out, but keep themselves within limits. On the running track for instance I can learn to enjoy doing a 400m in 1-30 rather than busting my guts to beat 1-15. Competition need not mean being in the first 3 but can mean reaching a certain standard given limited training time, and without riding oneself into the ground.
We should be welcoming in cycle races riders of moderate ability who do not have top equipment. We should be attracting cycle commuters, randonnneurs, cycle tourists, etc. who want to race only once a month. People could be encouraged to race even if they have only a commuter, touring, or winter bike. A hill climb, 10 or 25 mile time trial, or 64 k road race should be just as available to the average sports/fitness minded person as a 10 k run, half marathon, or local soccer league.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Apologies for Delay in Results,etc.
Apologies for Delay in Results, etc.
There are 2 Velociraptor auxiliary competitions, new for 2010, for BCMCA races: Velociraptors Scratch; Velociraptors Group Ride Age Handicap. These are divided into an Elite (A), and Regular (B) division, and into Men and Women. They are in addition to the main BCMCA overall competition, and 5 and 10 year age group competitions.
Hill climbs and crits – all races – will count in these auxiliary Velociraptor season-long competitions.
Classification as Elite or Regular is not a reflection of your capability but rather on the amount of time you are willing or able to put into training. E.g. Roland Buehler (Guitars Plus) is clearly a natural elite rider but currently has limited time for training and racing due to business and family commitments.
Please let me know if you think I have got you (or someone else) in the wrong category.
For each race I also nominate a Best Overall Performance – not necessarily the actual fastest or first to finish. I consult with very experienced, active members such as Bill Yearwood and Duane Martindale.
I am getting a list of Year of Birth for all BCMCA riders. Hence full results and race descriptions for 2010 so far will be posted here by June 17th.
Good racing and Best wishes to all of you!
There are 2 Velociraptor auxiliary competitions, new for 2010, for BCMCA races: Velociraptors Scratch; Velociraptors Group Ride Age Handicap. These are divided into an Elite (A), and Regular (B) division, and into Men and Women. They are in addition to the main BCMCA overall competition, and 5 and 10 year age group competitions.
Hill climbs and crits – all races – will count in these auxiliary Velociraptor season-long competitions.
Classification as Elite or Regular is not a reflection of your capability but rather on the amount of time you are willing or able to put into training. E.g. Roland Buehler (Guitars Plus) is clearly a natural elite rider but currently has limited time for training and racing due to business and family commitments.
Please let me know if you think I have got you (or someone else) in the wrong category.
For each race I also nominate a Best Overall Performance – not necessarily the actual fastest or first to finish. I consult with very experienced, active members such as Bill Yearwood and Duane Martindale.
I am getting a list of Year of Birth for all BCMCA riders. Hence full results and race descriptions for 2010 so far will be posted here by June 17th.
Good racing and Best wishes to all of you!
Massed Start Group Age Standards
Velociraptor Individual Group Ride Age Standards for Massed Start (or ability pursuit, i.e. non-age based Australian Pursuit). Regular Length (i.e. 64 k)
We might like to try the massed start format occasionally (instead of 5 small ten year age groups). Also, we may wish to try an Australian pursuit based on ability not age (e.g. 3 or 4 groups starting at 2 or 3 minute intervals, slowest group off first). In these cases the following comprehensive age chart could be used.
Large gaps between 10 year age groups are eliminated since this format does not embody age group start gaps. Yearly increments are slightly diminished to offset the benefit of increased drafting.
30. 1-45-35
31. 1-45-36
32. 1-45-39
33. 1-45-44
34. 1-45-51
35. 1-46-00
36. 1-46-11
37. 1-46-22
38. 1-46-33
39. 1-46-44
Increments 35-39 are 11 seconds. Increments 39-49: 13 seconds.
40. 1-46-57
41. 1-47-10
42. 1-47-23
43. 1-47-36
44. 1-47-49
45. 1-48-02
46. 1-48-15
47. 1-48-28
48. 1-48-41
49. 1-48-54
Increments 49-59: 17 seconds.
50. 1-49-11
51. 1-49-28
52. 1-49-45
53. 1-50-02
54. 1-50-19
55. 1-50-36
56. 1-50-53
57. 1-51-10
58. 1-51-27
59. 1-51-44
Increments 59-69: 21 seconds.
60. 1-52-05
61. 1-52-26
62. 1-52-47
63. 1-53-08
64. 1-53-29
65. 1-53-50
66. 1-54-11
67. 1-54-32
68. 1-54-53
69. 1-55-14
Increments 69-79: 31 seconds.
70. 1-55-45
71. 1-56-16
72. 1-56-47
73. 1-57-18
74. 1-57-49
75. 1-58-20
76. 1-58-51
77. 1-59-22
78. 1-59-53
79. 2-00-24
Increments 79-89: 41 seconds. Thus, standard for 80 is 2-01-05, etc.
This massed start age standard chart could easily be adapted for events of shorter (hill climbs) or longer duration (72+ k road races).
Note that under BCMCA rules (given standard 10 year starting gaps) in group riding a woman is classed with a male 15 years her senior. But in time trials she is classed with a male 8 years her senior.
If this massed start age standard chart seems unduly hard on 70s + we could build in bonus start gaps between the decades, e.g. 39-40 20seconds; 49-50 30seconds; 59-60 40 seconds; 69-70 1 minute; 79-80 1 and ½ minutes.
We might like to try the massed start format occasionally (instead of 5 small ten year age groups). Also, we may wish to try an Australian pursuit based on ability not age (e.g. 3 or 4 groups starting at 2 or 3 minute intervals, slowest group off first). In these cases the following comprehensive age chart could be used.
Large gaps between 10 year age groups are eliminated since this format does not embody age group start gaps. Yearly increments are slightly diminished to offset the benefit of increased drafting.
30. 1-45-35
31. 1-45-36
32. 1-45-39
33. 1-45-44
34. 1-45-51
35. 1-46-00
36. 1-46-11
37. 1-46-22
38. 1-46-33
39. 1-46-44
Increments 35-39 are 11 seconds. Increments 39-49: 13 seconds.
40. 1-46-57
41. 1-47-10
42. 1-47-23
43. 1-47-36
44. 1-47-49
45. 1-48-02
46. 1-48-15
47. 1-48-28
48. 1-48-41
49. 1-48-54
Increments 49-59: 17 seconds.
50. 1-49-11
51. 1-49-28
52. 1-49-45
53. 1-50-02
54. 1-50-19
55. 1-50-36
56. 1-50-53
57. 1-51-10
58. 1-51-27
59. 1-51-44
Increments 59-69: 21 seconds.
60. 1-52-05
61. 1-52-26
62. 1-52-47
63. 1-53-08
64. 1-53-29
65. 1-53-50
66. 1-54-11
67. 1-54-32
68. 1-54-53
69. 1-55-14
Increments 69-79: 31 seconds.
70. 1-55-45
71. 1-56-16
72. 1-56-47
73. 1-57-18
74. 1-57-49
75. 1-58-20
76. 1-58-51
77. 1-59-22
78. 1-59-53
79. 2-00-24
Increments 79-89: 41 seconds. Thus, standard for 80 is 2-01-05, etc.
This massed start age standard chart could easily be adapted for events of shorter (hill climbs) or longer duration (72+ k road races).
Note that under BCMCA rules (given standard 10 year starting gaps) in group riding a woman is classed with a male 15 years her senior. But in time trials she is classed with a male 8 years her senior.
If this massed start age standard chart seems unduly hard on 70s + we could build in bonus start gaps between the decades, e.g. 39-40 20seconds; 49-50 30seconds; 59-60 40 seconds; 69-70 1 minute; 79-80 1 and ½ minutes.
Group Hill Climb Age Standards
Velociraptor Individual Group Ride Age Standards for Australian Pursuit Hill Climbs. Appropriately shortened starting gaps.
Shawnigan Lake: 60s 2 minutes after 70s; 50s 1 and1/2 minutes;
40s 1 minute after 50s; 30s 30 seconds after 40s. Penticton (suggested): 60s 2-40 after 70s; 50s 2 minutes after 60s; 40s 1-20 after 50s; 30s 40 seconds after 40s.
Shawnigan Lake h.c.: Time taken by hypothetical average 35 year old approx. 26-27 minutes. Hence take individual group ride age standards to be ¼ of those for regular (64 k ) Australian pursuit road race course.
Similarly for Penticton climb take standards to be 1/3 of those for regular road race.
Other hill climbs will be rated accordingly. I will consult with Duane Martindale, Bill Yearwood, etc.
The philosophy is that all rides should count to the overall since a long hill climb is just as hard as a road race, and sometimes there is only one or no other rider in your 5 year age category.
Shawnigan Lake: 60s 2 minutes after 70s; 50s 1 and1/2 minutes;
40s 1 minute after 50s; 30s 30 seconds after 40s. Penticton (suggested): 60s 2-40 after 70s; 50s 2 minutes after 60s; 40s 1-20 after 50s; 30s 40 seconds after 40s.
Shawnigan Lake h.c.: Time taken by hypothetical average 35 year old approx. 26-27 minutes. Hence take individual group ride age standards to be ¼ of those for regular (64 k ) Australian pursuit road race course.
Similarly for Penticton climb take standards to be 1/3 of those for regular road race.
Other hill climbs will be rated accordingly. I will consult with Duane Martindale, Bill Yearwood, etc.
The philosophy is that all rides should count to the overall since a long hill climb is just as hard as a road race, and sometimes there is only one or no other rider in your 5 year age category.
Group Ride Age Standards for Longer Races
Velociraptor Individual Group Ride Age Standards for Australian Pursuit. Longer Courses (72-80 k instead of regular 64 k).
Add approx. 10% to yearly increments and 10 year age gaps for regular courses chart.
Note: racing age is not your age on the day of the race. It is the age you attain during the current calendar year.
30. 1-56-01
31. 1-56-04
32. 1-56-09
33. 1-56-16
34. 1-56-25
35. 1-56-36
36. 1-56-49
37. 1-57-02
38. 1-57-15
39. 1-57-28
Gap between 39 and 40 is 1-03. 35-39 increments 13 seconds.
40. 1-58-31
41. 1-58-47
42. 1-59-03
43. 1-59-19
44. 1-59-35
45. 1-59-51
46. 2-00-07
47. 2-00-23
48. 2-00-39
49. 2-00-55
Gap between 49 and 50 is 1-39. 40-49 increments are 16 seconds.
50. 2-02-34
51. 2-02-54
52. 2-03-14
53. 2-03-34
54. 2-03-54
55. 2-04-14
56. 2-04-34
57. 2-04-54
58. 2-05-14
59. 2-05-34
Gap between 59 and 60 is 2-10. 50-59 increments are 20 seconds.
60. 2-07-44
61. 2-08-08
62. 2-08-32
63. 2-08-56
64. 2-09-20
65. 2-09-44
66. 2-10-08
67. 2-10-32
68. 2-10-56
69. 2-11-20
Gap between 69 and 70 is 3-11. 60-69 increments are 24 seconds.
70. 2-14-31
71. 2-15-06
72. 2-15-41
73. 2-16-16
74. 2-16-51
75. 2-17-26
76. 2-18-01
77. 2-18-36
78. 2-19-11
79. 2-19-46
Gap between 79 and 80 is 3-46. 70-79 increments are 35 seconds. 80-89 increments are 46 seconds. Thus, standard for 80 is 2-23-32, etc.
Add approx. 10% to yearly increments and 10 year age gaps for regular courses chart.
Note: racing age is not your age on the day of the race. It is the age you attain during the current calendar year.
30. 1-56-01
31. 1-56-04
32. 1-56-09
33. 1-56-16
34. 1-56-25
35. 1-56-36
36. 1-56-49
37. 1-57-02
38. 1-57-15
39. 1-57-28
Gap between 39 and 40 is 1-03. 35-39 increments 13 seconds.
40. 1-58-31
41. 1-58-47
42. 1-59-03
43. 1-59-19
44. 1-59-35
45. 1-59-51
46. 2-00-07
47. 2-00-23
48. 2-00-39
49. 2-00-55
Gap between 49 and 50 is 1-39. 40-49 increments are 16 seconds.
50. 2-02-34
51. 2-02-54
52. 2-03-14
53. 2-03-34
54. 2-03-54
55. 2-04-14
56. 2-04-34
57. 2-04-54
58. 2-05-14
59. 2-05-34
Gap between 59 and 60 is 2-10. 50-59 increments are 20 seconds.
60. 2-07-44
61. 2-08-08
62. 2-08-32
63. 2-08-56
64. 2-09-20
65. 2-09-44
66. 2-10-08
67. 2-10-32
68. 2-10-56
69. 2-11-20
Gap between 69 and 70 is 3-11. 60-69 increments are 24 seconds.
70. 2-14-31
71. 2-15-06
72. 2-15-41
73. 2-16-16
74. 2-16-51
75. 2-17-26
76. 2-18-01
77. 2-18-36
78. 2-19-11
79. 2-19-46
Gap between 79 and 80 is 3-46. 70-79 increments are 35 seconds. 80-89 increments are 46 seconds. Thus, standard for 80 is 2-23-32, etc.
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