Recreational license vs domestic racing license

[TALUS]

I wonder if some of the more experienced hubbers can offer an opinion. I've done a couple of races now and have managed get an A seeding for the last couple and gotten my seeding index to below 20. While I enjoy most of the races (except the dischem ride4sight) I'm getting a bit tired of hearing carbon cracking all around me every race, to the point where I'm wondering if it's worth the risk. So here's the question, I'm considering upgrading to a full race licence under the assumption that riding with the more experienced Vets would be a lot safer. Is this the case or am I fooling myself?

Mate, I did a couple races in the racing vets - those guys are hard and unforgiving. Salty racers. Dont suffer fools/ noobs lightly. Lots of elbows and guttering. Small groups so lots of TT for me. Vets could be safer but I did see some big crashes (I remember one on the finish line of Druiwefees a couple of years ago). Go there if you are good enough, but not for a warm fuzzy feeling.

[Cellar]

Mate, I did a couple races in the racing vets - those guys are hard and unforgiving. Salty racers. Dont suffer fools/ noobs lightly. Lots of elbows and guttering. Small groups so lots of TT for me. Vets could be safer but I did see some big crashes (I remember one on the finish line of Druiwefees a couple of years ago). Go there if you are good enough, but not for a warm fuzzy feeling.

 

Like this:

Yes, you get seeded in VA.

 

BUT

 

Some races are 'capped' as in only top 200 VA or VB get the start batch....the rest goes open seeded.

 

And racing is a bit harder thus you will maybe not stick to the bunch and have to ride alone for the remainder of the race.

 

And then there is the skill that you'll have to have rubbing shoulders and pushing and shoving.

 

So make sure you are ready and GO FOR IT!

 

My current age cat are the same guys (and some new ones) that I raced against as U/23 and elite. It is no joke, and the guys race hard.

[Lone Rider]

I wonder if some of the more experienced hubbers can offer an opinion. I've done a couple of races now and have managed get an A seeding for the last couple and gotten my seeding index to below 20. While I enjoy most of the races (except the dischem ride4sight) I'm getting a bit tired of hearing carbon cracking all around me every race, to the point where I'm wondering if it's worth the risk. So here's the question, I'm considering upgrading to a full race licence under the assumption that riding with the more experienced Vets would be a lot safer. Is this the case or am I fooling myself?

I recently read an article where they stated that even the most cautious competitive cyclist will crash approximately every 7000km, of racing. Granted this was an overseas article, but I suspect it holds true here too.

 

As for whether riding with the veterans is safer than in open/seeded groups, that is debatable. Personally I feel that the guys racing in "A" have been riding for some time, and should know what they're doing. There will always be one or two "cowboys" in each group, even in vets...that's unavoidable. I rode in VB's at the Ride4Sight, and was forced to bump shoulders with a rider that started squeezing towards me leaving me nowhere to go, and I saw a guy swerve to the right without looking, almost taking out the guy next to him.

 

The best advice I can give is that you try and stay towards the front of the pack so as to minimise your chances of being caught in a crash....and make sure your medical aid is paid up!

[Cellar]

 

 

The best advice I can give is that you try and stay towards the front of the pack so as to minimise your chances of being caught in a crash....

 

See, there's the thing. The more competitive the group, the more everyone is trying to stay in the front 10-15 riders. You want to be there, you have to have both the ability, and the experience. At VA+ level, the guys in the front echelon have 25+ years of experience.

[Ryan]

I wonder if some of the more experienced hubbers can offer an opinion. I've done a couple of races now and have managed get an A seeding for the last couple and gotten my seeding index to below 20. While I enjoy most of the races (except the dischem ride4sight) I'm getting a bit tired of hearing carbon cracking all around me every race, to the point where I'm wondering if it's worth the risk. So here's the question, I'm considering upgrading to a full race licence under the assumption that riding with the more experienced Vets would be a lot safer. Is this the case or am I fooling myself?

 

The seeding limit of 20 may qualify you to ride in the vets category but it definitely doesn't mean you can race with the big boys. My seeding index is around 10 / 11 and I get a hiding every race.

[GaryvdM]

The seeding limit of 20 may qualify you to ride in the vets category but it definitely doesn't mean you can race with the big boys. My seeding index is around 10 / 11 and I get a hiding every race.

 

Interesting. Which cat are you in? VA VB VC?

 

Asking because I would also like to sometime maybe move in to VA. But I only want to do it when I'm ready. (My current seeding is 19.8.)

Edited February 21, 2014 by GaryvdM

[Ryan]

Interesting. Which cat are you in? VA VB VC?

 

Asking because I would also like to sometime maybe move in to VA. But I only want to do it when I'm ready. (My current seeding is 19.8.)

 

VA.

[mtbride]

So where do I get this SAS board or whatever it's called? Doing the Northerns Quickie the week-end, will one be able to buy one there?

 

I recently bought the R75 CSA license and would like to be seeded as I do more races.

 

Thanks

[Spinnekop]

So where do I get this SAS board or whatever it's called? Doing the Northerns Quickie the week-end, will one be able to buy one there?

 

I recently bought the R75 CSA license and would like to be seeded as I do more races.

 

Thanks

 

SAS is a private co. that times MTB races. You will be able to buy from them.

[Tankman]

This is what confuses people:

 

There are no such thing as a recreational license.

 

You need to be a member of CSA and buy the yearly membership for R75 per year.

If you dont be a member for the year, you can take out a day license (the idiots should have called it a daily membership, but anyway) per race as and when you need it. R35 per race.

 

If you want to compete in SA's, provincials or UCI sanctioned races, then you need a License (call it domestic or racing or whatever you like) R350 for the year.

 

Membership, people, membership ...

Edited March 11, 2014 by Tankman

[mtbride]

Thanks for the replies guys, I just want to know whether you CAN be seeded when only having the yearly membership of R75, not the racing licence of R350.

 

Where does one buy the SAS thing, shops/races, as I cannot find it on the net.

 

Thanks

[scotty]

Thanks for the replies guys, I just want to know whether you CAN be seeded when only having the yearly membership of R75, not the racing licence of R350.

 

Where does one buy the SAS thing, shops/races, as I cannot find it on the net.

 

Thanks

 

Contact Spectrum Sport

 

http://www.spectrumsport.co.za/

[eddy]

Thanks for the replies guys, I just want to know whether you CAN be seeded when only having the yearly membership of R75, not the racing licence of R350.

 

 

 

Yes you can. CSA has nothing to do with seeding.

[mtbride]

Thanks for the help!

[Cheese]

_Acco

_{This is what confuses people:}

 

_{There are no such thing as a recreational license.}

 

_{You need to be a member of CSA and buy the yearly membership for R75 per year.}

_{If you dont be a member for the year, you can take out a day license (the idiots should have called it a daily membership, but anyway) per race as and when you need it. R35 per race.}

 

_{If you want to compete in SA's, provincials or UCI sanctioned races, then you need a License (call it domestic or racing or whatever you like) R350 for the year.}

 

_{Membership, people, membership ...}

_{I agree , But according to the above you do not need A racing licence for VA/VB etc.}

_{I have always raced in Vets but heard that this year they do not except you without full licence although CSA does not state that in licence rules. They only state that you need it for what is said above.}

[Tankman]

_Acco

_{I agree , But according to the above you do not need A racing licence for VA/VB etc.}

_{I have always raced in Vets but heard that this year they do not except you without full licence although CSA does not state that in licence rules. They only state that you need it for what is said above.}

 

You have never needed a licence to ride in the PPP league. All you need is the correct seeding, like A-C for Elites and so on.

 

Hell, I have even done provincials without the thing, no one asked for it once.

 

With the way they have been chopping and changing the race dates of WP Champs over the last couple years, they are just happy when someone actually shows up!