I’d only be bragging if I didn’t need the masters points to get the upgrade 
I can also confirm it works. This change motivated me to return to racing this year after taking last year off. I just got Cat 1 with only masters points.
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I kinda feel like USA cycling could go through and overhaul the categories. To have 5 ‘distinct’ groups seems a bit overkill given how many people are out there racing and you end up having to combine so many categories anyway to get decent field sizes.
Seems like having just 2 or 3 categories would be sufficient
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Agree, and I think age-based categories do a better job of grouping racers compared to the current category system. While it’s great having a group/category for true beginners to get their feet wet, I don’t think you need multiple amateur categories above that. Beginner/elite/pro is enough, with age groups further segmenting the elite field in disciplines with any numbers.
I’m personally not a fan of the USAC structure and tend to avoid their races these days. They make that way too easy. I love that USAC is trying to develop young cyclists and trying to support US pro cycling, but they just don’t provide much direct value for a old amateur cyclist like me. I’m good with a portion of my USAC fees going to support young and pro cyclists, but they need to put a few dollars back into the large amateur groups who are paying the bills. A little doping control at the master’s level would be a good start.
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You should’ve just asked. I know a few people who earned Cat 1 upgrades on only masters points. They just asked and it was approved, especially back when it was regional authorities (SCNCA) approving upgrades. Not sure they really care if the 55 year old guy is a Cat 1 or a Cat 2 because it doesn’t matter one iota for anything. Once you’re a Cat 3, you can basically race any masters title event you want.
For a brief period (in 2020 I think), they removed the masters/weekly series Cat 1 restrictions. Then reinstated them. Maybe some of those guys applied when the rules were changed initially. It was also during that brief time period that upgrade points never expired so many people I know were able to take advantage of those rule changes. This isn’t quite that but its as lenient as its been for a while.
Yeah, I’m thinking of LT (you remember him) who upgraded almost entirely on masters points before COVID. There were a few other guys who did that out here too. Junior got his 2 with stuff from like 6 years ago during COVID. Ha! I always had to do it the hard way… of course. 
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Well now you don’t have to! Go race 35 or 45+ CBRs!
I’m a quitter, don’t you know? I’d rather just sit around and complain from my porch swing like an old man.