Their seems to be an interesting undertone to much of this conversation. It
seems that some feel that if your not 40 but between 35 and 40 and
previously raced, or still race as a 1/2 the only reason you want to lower
the master age to 35+ is so you can sand bag and take all the glory. That
assumes you took all the glory and as a 1/2 possibly. Some of you may know
some of you may not, that winning a 1/2 race is hard enough, winning
multiple 1/2 races is a true feet. Some, many, etc., 35+ 1/2 races are just
plain pack fill not because they are old, but because life does not allow
them to train to actually race as a 1/2, just participate. For some this
does not appear to be the case, but I do not think that is the case for the
majority of them. I'm not speaking for them, just my simple opinion.

I don't know of any 1/2 that will downgrade to 3. It is not ego it is a
matter of personal safety, race distance, racing tactics (they simply have
not learned the subtle nuances of racing yet, but they will), and race
intensity. As Mike has indicated the numbers seem to support a good number
of 35+ 1/2/3 masters fields. I do agree that a simple open masters might
not be the best idea for those just getting into cycling and would present a
logistical effort to score separately.

There is nothing special about 35 or 40, they are somewhat arbitrary.

This can certainly be and should be discussed at the banquet.

Gordon

-----Original Message-----
From: Rick C Johnson [mailto:RCJohnson1@attglobal.net]
Sent: Saturday, December 30, 2006 9:21 PM
To: tioflaco@comcast.net
Cc: gschreckchat@comcast.net; 'David Hart'; obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Masters 35 Plus?

The same question could be asked of 35...

Gordon Cumming wrote:

> What is so special about 40?
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *From:* obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org]
> *On Behalf Of *gschreckchat@comcast.net
> *Sent:* Saturday, December 30, 2006 5:40 PM
> *To:* David Hart; obra@list.obra.org
> *Subject:* Re: [OBRA Chat] Masters 35 Plus?
>
>
>
> This is essentially a problem that takes care of itself. Everyone get
> older and eventually can race masters. We changed the rules last year
> and it seemdd to work well. The masters fields were fairly large and
> will get larger as OBRA ages. There is little reason to
> accelerate it. What is so special about 35. Just race your category
> until you are 40. In running, you are not considered a Masters until
> you are 40, and no one seems to whine about it.
>
>
>
> --
>
> George Schreck
> gschreckchat@comcast.net
> (503) 502-0425
>
>
>
> -------------- Original message --------------
> From: "David Hart"
>
> Hmm, that MAY be worth trying (can't please everyone as proven by
> the length of this thread). I would rather race 35+ 2/3. This
> would leave the 4's to race w/5's(they are more 4's & 5's lately).
> I plan on being at the banquet, you just have to bring it up for
> discussion, get a vote and go from there OR just convince
> organizers to have this field. However this doesn't mirror other
> races like Hood or Elkhorn or Cascade & so forth in categories. I
> basically race the OBRA calendar with an Elkhorn or Hood thrown in
> there so here is what I think.
>
>
>
> The number of OBRA members could support the following:
>
>
>
> Pro 1/2
>
> 2/3 masters 35+
>
> 3's
>
> 4/5
>
> Masters 4/5
>
> 1/2/3 women
>
> masters women open
>
> JR's
>
> single speed or tandem or HPV or whatever minority that you are...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 12/30/06, *Gordon Cumming*
> > wrote:
>
> Mike,
>
> If that is the case, why not have a 35+ 2/3 category, it could
> even be 30-39
> 1/2/3 and then 40+.
>
> Seems like the numbers are their.
>
> Gordie
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org
> [mailto:
> obra-bounces@list.obra.org ] On
> Behalf Of Mike Murray
> Sent: Friday, December 29, 2006 7:08 PM
> To: obra@list.obra.org
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Masters 35 Plus?
>
> There are often references to the mythic 18 yo bike
> racer. Frankly there
> are not many of them. Most are slower category. From the end of
> this year
> the age distribution of road members was:
>
>
> 2 0to24 133
> 25to29 264
> 30to34 398
> 35to39 466
> 40to44 371
> 45to49 266
> 50to54 148
> 55to59 74
> 60to64 34
> 65+ 24
>
> Here are the mean ages by road category:
>
> 1 33
> 2 36
> 3 38
> 4 36
> 5 36
>
> Overall the mean OBRA membership age is 37. 35+ is most of us.
>
> Mike Murray
> -----Original Message-----
> From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org
>
> [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org
> ] On
> Behalf Of Edward Kendrick Sr
> Sent: Friday, December 29, 2006 06:48 AM
> To: ob ra@list.obra.org
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Masters 35 Plus?
>
>
> Yes. It would be nice to have the 35+ category.
>
> Most of the riders, who act their age, choose to ride cat 4 or
> 5. This is
> awkward, when there are 18 yr olds competing with you.
>
> Did you know that a big chunk of the Arctic shelf broke off today?
>
> Anyway, Feliz Ano Nuevo.
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Dave Campbell
> >
> To: obra >
> Sent: Friday, December 29, 2006 1:08:39 AM
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Masters 35 Plus?
>
>
> Just going to throw this totally self-interested bit out there...
>
> VERY few races last yr had a Masters 35 plus, with most going 40 plus
> Was this trend well-recieved by riders? I see that Cherry Pie
> (and my guess
> is most of the others that follow) is going Masters 40 plus and
> the promoter
> (who is well experienced!) assures me this is the way to go.
>
> For ME at this point, the 35 plus races are FUN (although due to
> triathlon,
> I personally only do a few and mainly for training) and I can
> actually race
> as opposed to the Cat1/2 race which I just try to survive and I
> would assume
> there are others that feel the same way...the question is ARE
> THERE ENOUGH
> like minded 35-39s like me?
>
> Anyone?
>
> Thanks,
> DC
> Dave Campbell
> adcampbell46@earthlink.net
> EarthLink Revolves Around You.
>
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