This is meant to be funny yet informative! No offense intended
Category OPEN-A
You are an A racer if you’ve been riding for years…as in many years…like 5+ years AND/OR you’ve been racing for a few years. Some of you have only been mountain biking for a few years, yet you jumped right into the racing scene. If that’s you, you shave your legs, probably don’t race in baggy shorts (or own mostly spandex), don’t consider it a “real ride” when you do wear baggy shorts, race for a team, and/or think about your riding, nutrition and weight (of both your body and bike) pretty much all the time, then you are probably A. In short, you are a stud but Pro is a bridge too far!
Category Racing-B
What is a B racer? Ahhh, the subject of many a group ride and coffee clutch! If you have to ask what category you should be in, you are probably B or C! B racers are Lady and Gentleman Racers, the true essence of mountain biking. B racers have full-time jobs, families and obligations that take priority over training full-time. We know many of you B out there are saying, “Wait that’s me!” Remember, the length of time you’ve been riding/racing really determines your ability. B racers may have only just started racing but have logged enough miles as a “rider” that C is not an option. B racers may, or may not, shave their legs. B racers enjoy riding with friends, in baggy shorts, and stopping to enjoy the views. B racers may have a team affiliation but might not even know what that means! Here’s a good one…if you race B and are in the top third of the results we can pretty much predict that you would be top half in the USA Cycling “Sanctioned” Category 3-4-5 for your age. You know what that makes you? Yup…you guessed it… A SANDBAGGER! Choose well my friends!
Category Racing-C “First Time Racer”
Designed for the First Time “Racer”. You are a Beginner if you started “Riding” within the past couple of years and decided to check out the race scene. (If you’ve been “Riding” regularly for more than a few years then please consider racing B’s) On the flip-side of that, if you’ve “Riding” for more than a couple of years, but you only get on your bike a handful of times a summer, you are probably a Beginner.
If you’ve never raced before then C is for you unless you feel your riding ability and fitness puts you in the B category…there is no obligation to start out in Beginner just because you’ve never raced…Anyone can upgrade themselves at any time!
Your time in the First Year Racer “C” Category is supposed to be a short stay/stepping stone to the next category you choose.
Courses for First Year Racers are typically, but not always, shorter than the other categories. Sandbagging the C Category is strongly discouraged and may be met with jeers from the crowd!
JUNIORS 16-18 may race the C Race if the course length and overall category speed for C is more suitable for their ability.
Why no Pro Category in this town series?
You are a Pro if you race for money and get paid by a bicycle industry manufacturer, sign a contract with a Professional team, your bike was given to you by a manufacturer, your travel is paid for and you are out traveling across the globe on the circuit mid-week. In short, Pro/Elite is designed for the top tier riders on a national calendar event. Racers with a Pro license are encouraged to race if they are in town, but have to race with the A’s.