Great question!
H2H Question?
- Thread starter mattsrabbit
- Start date
Great question!
Steve Vai
Endurance Guy: Tolerates most of us.
All of June seems aggressive
It's a really long race.
Dave Taylor
Rex kwan Do
Apparently H2H is as important to the promoters as Covid is to Texas.
Actually we just come here to frustrate you.
Steve Vai
Endurance Guy: Tolerates most of us.
I like where this is going.
Dave Taylor
Rex kwan Do
I know and vice versa
Joe J
Well-Known Member
Asking USAC Promoters. Is the requirement to have an annual license for pro/cat1 a USAC thing or a decision the promoter can make?
USAC makes all those rules. When you run under their umbrella the promoter has no say.
Joe J
Well-Known Member
Thanks
hls811
Well-Known Member
So, I'm going to go all newbie dumb@$$ and hijack this thread for a bit since its called H2H Questions and I have H2H questions.
When I used to ride road bikes I did 1-2 charity rides a year, so I understand how those worked, they were essentially just ride at your own pace type things, there was some competition, especially towards the front (of which I was never in) but they were clearly called rides and not races.
In the mountain bike world, these are all races, but it seems us (ok, me) amateur, non-race experienced, newbie folks can sign up for them. I signed up for WTF, just the 2 lap, Cat 3 route... And I'm just sort of curious what to expect. I looked at the finishing times and pace results from the folks who did it last year and I'd say its in my wheelhouse to not embarrass myself. This one didn't specify I needed a license whereas the H2H Mayhem requires a USA Cycling Mountain Bike License, so I guess I'm OK there.
When I used to ride road bikes I did 1-2 charity rides a year, so I understand how those worked, they were essentially just ride at your own pace type things, there was some competition, especially towards the front (of which I was never in) but they were clearly called rides and not races.
In the mountain bike world, these are all races, but it seems us (ok, me) amateur, non-race experienced, newbie folks can sign up for them. I signed up for WTF, just the 2 lap, Cat 3 route... And I'm just sort of curious what to expect. I looked at the finishing times and pace results from the folks who did it last year and I'd say its in my wheelhouse to not embarrass myself. This one didn't specify I needed a license whereas the H2H Mayhem requires a USA Cycling Mountain Bike License, so I guess I'm OK there.
Dave Taylor
Rex kwan Do
I believe you just buy the daily usac license for anything other than pro open. That will go off like a dead stop race like in track and field. Definitely race pace. That course has some decent tech and steep climbs.
Dave Taylor
Rex kwan Do
Not sure if the rules changed but at one point there was a 1-day license for cat 1 but it was $25 and you could only do that once per season. They really discouraged it.
Not sure about open but I think the same.
Dave Taylor
Rex kwan Do
I don’t want to sound like a broken record but do you see what I am talking about? I want to race open but not the whole series, especially during a pandemic. Why should I buy a full USAC license to race this when MASS dowsn’t require it AND pays money for open class.
You'll do fine with the racing part - couple things could happen, you might be the fastest in your group - in which case you'll catch the slowest in the group in front of you (unless you are the first to start of course) - know the course: many a race was lost by an errant turn. Course markings can disappear, or be sabotaged. Happens.
While on the course, communication is key - as you approach another rider, ask to "pass when safe" - since it will be all cat 3, they should comply quickly - as should you if someone comes up behind you. Let them know which side you are pulling off, or which side you want them to pass.
People on the bike have the right-of-way over people off the bike - not sure about tech up there, but if someone is walking, they should get out of the way.
Race director (Dave (@MtnRider) in this case) should give instruction just prior to start, to set expectations.
if you aren't the fastest (or in some lead group), you'll find someone to race. either trying to catch the person in front of you, or holding off the person behind you.
the race within the race.
be friendly, win, upgrade to cat 2 next season, get ass kicked by someone that will be cat 1 soon.
GL!
Last edited:
Jim has it right. You’re preaching to the choir. I totally agree with you. I don’t like the way USAC does this stuff.
Feels like Groundhog Day 😀