Roughly what sort of times would I need not to embarass myself at an IVCA event.

alexanderomahon

I am 51 years old and wondering what sort of times I would need to be able to participate in IVCA events. Not expecting to challenge for anything but do not want to be finishing after everybody else has had a few pints and gone home.

ragazzo

alexanderomahon wrote: »

I am 51 years old and wondering what sort of times I would need to be able to participate in IVCA events. Not expecting to challenge for anything but do not want to be finishing after everybody else has had a few pints and gone home.

Not 100% sure what you mean by times. IVCA road races are based on ability and you will race with a group/groups of similar ability.
There are days when everyone finishes out the back but as the races start at 9am the pubs should not be open by the time you finish. I don't think any of the lads bring their own gargle although you will probably be offered tea/coffee after the race.

For the TT events it is just you against the clock.

Plenty of vets far older than 51 so you definitely would not be too old.

Beasty

The IVCA operate 6 ability group that cater for pretty much anyone. You may start off in a relatively fast group but if you prove yourself bad enough you can ask to be dropped into a slower group.

I suspect there will be some discussion over race formats over the winter. Currently there is a mix of CPs and DMSs but it may be that the CP format is changed as the large groups that often come together can have problems. They may also consider adding further ability groups to make them smaller

If you want an idea of typical TT ability, their results for this year are here. Basically for the shorter 2 events you need to set 2 times to set a handicap which you then look to improve. For the 50m TT you only need to do it once to establish a handicap. There are Age standard events also

wirelessdude01

At what age does one become a veteran?

Beasty

For men, in the calendar year in which you reach the age of 40. For women the starting age is 35

So if you are male were born on 31 December 1974 you would be eligible to race with the IVCA from January 2014 (despite the fact you would be only 39 thorughout the racing season)

Beasty

ragazzo wrote: »

Plenty of vets far older than 51 so you definitely would not be too old.

There's one here ...

Any there's one racing in his 80s, with perhaps a dozen or so more in their 70s

MB Lacey

Wow, only 5 women listed in the 118 names.

Given the huge recent uptake in women cycling, it would be great to think that over the next ten years that list will even out a little..

Planet X

alexanderomahon wrote: »

I am 51 years old and wondering what sort of times I would need to be able to participate in IVCA events. Not expecting to challenge for anything but do not want to be finishing after everybody else has had a few pints and gone home.

If you join, do a few of their Leisure Spins starting January. All nice and sociable & leisurly UNTIL the last about 10 or so miles when it usually rockets back to the city. If you can keep up with this you'll be grand.

Beasty

MB Lacey wrote: »

Wow, only 5 women listed in the 118 names.

Given the huge recent uptake in women cycling, it would be great to think that over the next ten years that list will even out a little..

I think there are a few more than 5, but some do the road racing and not TTs

There was a push last year to get some more women interested, but the IVCA remains very male dominated. However they are very welcoming of women in both leisure and racing sections.

I guess it possibly highlights a couple of things

1. many women perhaps don't realise they can race with the IVCA at 35
2. generally I see a higher proportion of younger women racing - with the men racers tending to be on average a bit older