I’m in my mid 50s and just started training again (with some racing) last year. It was, by accounts, not a successful season for many reasons, most of them just personal stuff getting in the way. But I want to make next year different, and I want it to count.
Most of all, I just want to have fun racing 40/50 + and not have it be a demoralizing suffer-fest. At the very least, I’d love to be a Cat 3 again or at least on that level, so I could jump into 3/4 races. Some back story–decent junior. Qualified for a national road race in only the 3rd sanctioned race I was in. Finished mid pack at nationals. Got up to a Cat 2 in my 20s. Yet, haven’t raced in almost two decades.
I guess I’m wondering, does vaguely above average talent still equate when one reaches middle age?
Likely yes? But your fitness can definitely change as you age. So even if you can get similarly as fit (from a high level) you might have less of a sprint or similar sprint but lower anaerobic but higher steady state or any other combination. You might also have better skills since you’re likely more patient and other things.
So this is really just a go out there and see where you fall type of situation. But it’s likely that getting to Cat 3 is possible with some work (tbh I think this is possible for most people who dedicate some time to it).
I’m in a similar situation. Only recently back into serious cycling after 30 years out of racing, gained a lot of fitness over the last 2 years, did a couple of TTs that past summer, and now realize that I need to do enough mass start events to upgrade to Cat. 4 so that I can legitimately do age group events.
Above average talent is still only above average and will get you nowhere in age group, because that’s where your local former pros who are no longer competitive in the Elite category are racing to win.
Put in a good offseason with TR and see how it goes.
MTB has fewer cat breakdowns, but from my experience as a 50+ masters, the big difference between cat 3 and cat 2 is the offseason work. Cat 3s don’t need much, but cat 2s don’t take the winter off. Cat 1s have taken it seriously for a number of seasons.
The engine/potential is likely still there and should come out with a couple seasons of training. How quick probably depends on how sedentary your lifestyle has been for the last decade or so. If you need to improve your body composition, that can be harder/slower to fix than the fitness (from my experience as a mid 50’s guy).
Never discount that “old man muscle” It may hurt but the prowess of your youth will rise to the top after a few races. That being said, don’t discount the technicality of modern XC races. I’m also one for talking folks that have the fitness/skill (but maybe have never raced or not raced in a while) into catting up or at least not starting in the beginner race. I’ll look at the Strava times and compare if I’m curious.
Age is a great leveller and it will depend to a certain extent on how well you’ve aged. Only time will tell as to where you end up in your return. The main thing is that you enjoy the racing you do, even if there’s suffering (and there will be).
I’m a 61 yr old age group / masters racer. There is an advantage in fitness from having been fit and competitive in years past. You’ll get back in form faster than someone who never raced.
In my experience, cat rankings matter a lot less in the age group/master’s races than they did when I was younger. 25 yr old cat 3s are a lot more alike than 50 or 60 yr old cat 3s, some of whom may be holding on to a ranking earned in years past, while others are aggressively improving. You’ll find a wide of fitness, skill set, and experience in the older ranks, but as a rule, the pack is slightly faster and better behaved than in the younger cats.
Just don’t make the mistake of showing up on the start line and assuming the geezer with the 36” waistline and 10 yr old bike is pack fodder. Appearances are deceiving in our ranks.
IME, masters 1-2-3 is often dominated by former cat 1s or even ex pros that have never stopped training. You got to cat 2 back in the day so you had some talent and you may do ok in your local area assuming they even have 50+ races.
I looked into racing again at 55. I went to volunteer at my club’s local races and after seeing the crashes I thought that I’ll never do a crit again. I’d rather do a handful of gran fondos per year and do group rides between them. Fondos are better supported and generally more fun than regular racing IMO.
