Who’s Moving Up A Class?
Wonder if it's time for your to move up to the next class? ... here's the guidelines for moving up a class.
Congratulations! You rock & roll fast. Yes this is for you (all OTH racers). Wonder if it’s time for your to move up to the next class? Of course this is a fun event, but it’s competitive too, so in keeping the playing field fair equal, here’s the guidelines for moving up a class.
STEP 1: Ask yourself: “SELF, AM I A BEGINNER?”
Webster definition: be·gin·ner : 1) a person who is beginning something or doing something for the first time : 2) one that begins something; especially : an inexperienced person
STEP 2: IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO MOVE UP A CLASS WHEN:
- You finished on the podium last year (top 3 series finishers are moving up)
- You finished 1st, 2nd or 3rd in 2 or more races in your class last year
- Were you consistently in the top 10 of your class or get a top 30% “OTH Winner” Pint glass more time than not
- You’ve seen a marked improvement in your efforts of the off season, or need a rabbit to chase.
- Come on, who are you kidding, it’s a tight, good community….but we still get emails from some of your friends saying “Dumphey is a Sandbagger”. Save us the minutia…please.
- If you’ve ever held a pro USA Cycling license you better be pushing 50 pounds over your previous race weight to roll below “Elite”
We appreciate your help keeping OTH fun for everyone. The only way for newcomers to have the same thrill you have, is if they are able to compete at a level that’s appropriate for them. In other words you moving up, helps keep Beginner truly beginner racers and keep Sport truly sport.
For class descriptions and details visit: OTH Class page
14 Comments
I KNOW SOMEBODY THAT IS RACING IN THE OTH SERIES IN THE BEGINNER 2 LEVEL…HE HAS WON AT LEAST FEW RACES WITHIN THE TOP 3. WHAT A SAND BAGGER. HOW DO U GUYS DEAL WITH THIS SINCE HE STILL RACING IN THE BEGINNER LEVEL.
I suggest they write him a strongly worded email in all capital letters.
You could try training harder so you can beat him.
Last year the top guys in S3 were minutes ahead of the rest of the pack. Read the class descriptions & stop sandbagging. Get into Super Sport, SS Masters or Expert.
“Not I!” said the Clydesdale.
I wear Lycra, I train hard, I’m better than everyone and I call out people on the OTH comments and tell them to train harder so they can beat sandbaggers. All my friends would agree I’m the fastest and radest (if I had any, but no one is fast enough to be my friend).
I am thinking about racing for the first time. I have been riding for quite a few years but mostly at a casual pace. Should I start out in beginner and see how it goes.
The Beginner Class is a perfect way to get your feet wet. If you find that your pace is higher than the field, move up to the Intermediate or Sport Class. If you have any questions, you can see us at the Replay Timing tent.
Happy racing!!
What is the definition of the big bike class? Over 30lbs and 2.6-2.8 or greater sized tires?
correct…30 lbs.
2.6 or greater tires.
Very broad category…bottom line fun bikes!
JPOTTS, you plan to leave the realm of featherweight?
Definitely might vary it up with my fattie plus 3.0’s and 30 plus pounds! It’s all in #fun111
I’m going to enter the BBC after the break. I need some fun! This year the 60+ class has become hyper competitive. And that’s totally cool! But I’m looking for some good times…and a pint glass.
OK – I did 5 races last summer and came every race just outside the 30% coveted glass mug – race in the 50+ beginner bracket – I am 65 years and consider myself in pretty good shape . Damn I want the stupid mug ! Last summer the 65+ was racing on the harder route . It appears this weekend that isn’t the case . I really enjoy racing but would hate to get smoke by some old pro that is now 65- They know who they are . always fun no matter which way I decide .
Ted, thanks for your feedback. We’re always looking for ways to improve the race experience so it stays on the fun side. Granted not everyone can win, AND we know that the classes are competitive, even “Beginner Racer”; we do make the class structure self policing, along with the Race Right Bot from RDB Solutions, to show us where the bar should be for each classes average racer. Thanks for coming out. Personally, I’ve raced a few myself, and entered the sport class and got smoked every time….and it hurt so good. See you next week.