WP League first timer

[Mamil]

I'm thinking about entering the WP league event on 19 January in Philadelphia and wondering how competitive the various Cats are -

I'm fairly fit - have a best CTCT of 3hrs11 - current FTP is 3,6 watts/kg - probably lacking in 1 through 5 minute power punches at the moment because of the kind of riding I've been doing - is Cat 3 the right one for me? 72km seems quite short  so I'm tempted to go for Cat 2 which does 2 laps although I suspect that might be a bit ambitious - 

Thoughts?

 

[Thornman]

You will be fine in Cat 2.

[FranE]

Good idea starting Cat 2

Goodluck and have fun😎🤟

[JacquesJ]

Im about the same as you, did cat2 last year at Lady Loch in Wellington and got dropped in the first lap. Not necessarily fitness, but my experience of road races up to then was basically PPA type funrides / Argus seeding rides where everyone (except first bunch) is trying to improve their CTCT seeding 😜.

Here everyone is racing for position, which changes the dynamic conpletely - big (nice) eye opener for me...just be prepared for more attacks and surges than usual.

[Mamil]

1 hour ago, JacquesJ said:

Im about the same as you, did cat2 last year at Lady Loch in Wellington and got dropped in the first lap. Not necessarily fitness, but my experience of road races up to then was basically PPA type funrides / Argus seeding rides where everyone (except first bunch) is trying to improve their CTCT seeding 😜.

Here everyone is racing for position, which changes the dynamic conpletely - big (nice) eye opener for me...just be prepared for more attacks and surges than usual.

Aha... that's me to T. I anticipate getting dropped for exactly the same reason and as I say I'm also lacking the short bursts that surges require at the moment. 

I've entered anyway and I don't mind 4 hour time trials, it's just the feeling of watching everyone disappear over the roller i don't like.

[FootballingCyclist]

I'd suggest start the league in Cat 2 (Although majority of that field are sub3 CTCT riders, well atleast the top15 or so fighting for positions). Cat 2 also has more teams/clubs so that tends to make the racing exciting and tough aswell.

You could always drop down to Cat3 in the next few races if you feel Cat2 is too hard, The ladies (Organizers) have no issue with that however you don't take points earned with you I believe.

Also just a final heads up, Cat3 is and will be tough aswell. There are a few Sub3 riders in Cat3 and they also often have team tactics at play. 

I'd say the biggest difference between Cat2 & Cat3 is that in Cat2 the gap between the stronger riders and the back of the pack, is smaller than that in Cat3! In Cat3 will get some strong guys and then the back markers aren't close the end of the races whereas in Cat2 the back markers don't finish that far behind, albeit a few mins.

That's what I've experienced.

[Skubarra]

3 hours ago, JacquesJ said:

Here everyone is racing for position, which changes the dynamic conpletely - big (nice) eye opener for me...just be prepared for more attacks and surges than usual.

^This - Cat 2 can be very difficult with the attacks and surges, and if you are caught napping suddenly its a long TT - very different dynamics compared to the PPA funrides.

That said, the route for the Philadelphia race is quite flat and given that the distance is long, last time I did that loop in a league race the 1st lap was fairly mundane and only on the rollers in the 2nd did the real attacks came

But I would actually suggest Cat 3 for a 1st attempt at league racing, although you will probably be fine in Cat 2

[Skubarra]

6 minutes ago, Skubarra said:

^This - Cat 2 can be very difficult with the attacks and surges, and if you are caught napping suddenly its a long TT - very different dynamics compared to the PPA funrides.

That said, the route for the Philadelphia race is quite flat and given that the distance is long, last time I did that loop in a league race the 1st lap was fairly mundane and only on the rollers in the 2nd did the real attacks came

But I would actually suggest Cat 3 for a 1st attempt at league racing, although you will probably be fine in Cat 2

Just to add - I would suggest entering the Cat where you can have fun ie be in the mix, be part of the tactics and maybe dish out a little hurt to the others as opposed to hanging on for dear life to riders generally better than you until you inevitably get dropped. There are no seedings to chase or improve so just ride where you will likely enjoy it the most.

[Akon]

Here I thought the debate was to be between 3 & 4 @Mamil 😉 .

Did you enter Cat 2 in the end?

[Mamil]

Well I've taken the plunge last night and entered cat 2 so I predict I will be dropped fairly quickly which as I say .... I don't really.mind. 

It's supposed.to.be LSD for 6 hours in the training plan so ....

This is also what happens if you leave a mamil alone with his laptop and a credit card after 2 gin and tonics ...

I'm surprised there isn't more chat here about these events though. 

 

[Naidy]

Hi @Mamil, ill agree with Skubarra, Cat 2 is filled with riders that can easily do a Sub 3 on Argus day, but there are riders like myself thats on that border line of 3 hours. But I work with a team and its lekker because we ride for 1 or 2 members and I dont mind being dropped as long as our goal is achieved. Cat 2 can be brutal at times. We race for position and not the fastest time. 

Cat 3 is not much easier, I would suggest start here if this is your 1st time and get the feel for it. You could even podium which will make you hungrier to race and complete the full league. 

Points are handed to individuals from 1 to 10 so being consistent through out can benefit you and possibly win the Individual standing at the end of all the races. 

[Naidy]

1 minute ago, Mamil said:

Well I've taken the plunge last night and entered cat 2 so I predict I will be dropped fairly quickly which as I say .... I don't really.mind. 

It's supposed.to.be LSD for 6 hours in the training plan so ....

This is also what happens if you leave a mamil alone with his laptop and a credit card after 2 gin and tonics ...

I'm surprised there isn't more chat here about these events though. 

 

You can downgrade, the prices for cat 2 and 3 are the same. Dont worry about the mileage.

[Skubarra]

55 minutes ago, Mamil said:

Well I've taken the plunge last night and entered cat 2 so I predict I will be dropped fairly quickly which as I say .... I don't really.mind. 

It's supposed.to.be LSD for 6 hours in the training plan so ....

This is also what happens if you leave a mamil alone with his laptop and a credit card after 2 gin and tonics ...

I'm surprised there isn't more chat here about these events though. 

 

Will see you there - here is hoping most of the wild dogs will be in Oudtshoorn for Attakwas...

[BuffsVintageBikes]

I think I'm gonna come and join in the fun. Cat 3 sounds like a good place for me to be because racing for 134km's doesn't sound like much fun at all after the Xmas jollies 😅
I expect I'll get some strange looks when I rock up on a vintage steel rig 😊

[Naidy]

9 minutes ago, BuffsVintageBikes said:

I think I'm gonna come and join in the fun. Cat 3 sounds like a good place for me to be because racing for 134km's doesn't sound like much fun at all after the Xmas jollies 😅
I expect I'll get some strange looks when I rock up on a vintage steel rig 😊

You definitely wont be the 1st to come with a steel bike to Cat3. Hope you enjoy it. 

[BuffsVintageBikes]

Thanks, that's great to hear, I feel like I belong there already 😉🤙