Information for Road Racers:
Ability-Based Categories and Point Series Policies
[Version: March 17, 2011]
Following the lead of the Mountain Bike Committee, the Road Committee made
the move to ability-based categories in 2010.
On the whole, this re-structuring has made for more exciting and
satisfying racing, and also made the lives of our organizers easier—a
benefit not to be understated.
The reader will note although the Road Committee has moved to an
ability-based format, it has not adhered to the system followed by the
Mountain Bike Committee in all respects; the unique dynamics of road racing
necessitate some of the below policies which we believe contribute to the
collective enjoyment of all in a given category, and the health and growth
of road racing as a whole.
This document replaces all former policies regarding its subject matter, and
is in effect until its future revision.
Our aim is to provide all the information relevant to racers in one
location, and to do so in a clear and precise manner.
Please forward any suggestions and/or comments to
president@bicycle.ns.ca or
vproad@bicycle.ns.ca.
Categories
Category A: roughly 3 hours in length; 90-110km; average speed of 36-38km/h
Comprised in equal parts of some of the most ambitious and some of the most
fit riders in the province, the A category is where a rider belongs if they
desire to push the limits of both their fitness and tactical savvy, as well
as those of their fellow racer.
Although it is occasionally frequented by the province’s national-calibre
athletes, its “bread and butter”
are experienced riders who are lining up for a good time fuelled by
competition with all, and spent competing with those nearby.
Category B: 2.5 hours in length; 70-90km; average speed of 33-37km/h
Category B is for experienced riders who are looking for competitive racing,
but are not yet ready for the challenge of Category A.
As one of our largest categories, Category B is populated by those
learning the ropes of road racing strategy and honing their pack riding
skills, as well as those who may lack only the fitness to race A after a
winter of real-world responsibilities and training schedules.
Women who race in this category will receive their own awards at the
end of the season as a “sub-category” of Category B. See Points Series
section of this document for details.
Category C:
2 hours in length; 50-70km; average
speed of 30-33km/h
Category C is for riders who lack the fitness and skill to race in the B
Category, but possess some experience with the dynamics of pack riding and
are looking for a day of friendly competition.
Category D:
1 to 1.5h in length; 30-40km; average
speed < 30km/h
Category D is for people who want to try road racing but have minimal
experience.
Category F:
2 hours in length; 50-70km; average
speed of 30-33km/h
Category F is for female riders who choose not to participate in one of the
above ability-based categories.
Generally, faster and more experienced women race in the B category, while F
is composed of women not ready for that challenge. Women with minimal
experience who just want to try road racing are welcome to race in Category
D. Category F is flexible with
regard to its composition; if numbers are sufficient it will form its own
pack; if not, it may start and finish with the Cs (as has proved typical) or
the Ds if appropriate/desired.
Youth Categories: Under-13, U-15, and U-17
Recognized with their own categories, younger riders often ride with the D
or C Categories, or have their own packs depending on numbers and ability.
These categories are shorter events ranging from roughly 45 minutes
to 2 hours in length.
Restrictions on Movement Between Categories
BNS does not enforce a formal system of mandatory progression through the
categorical hierarchy. As the
ability-based system suggests, racers are free to race in whatever category
they feel is most appropriate for their ability level.
However, it is expected that all racers will exhibit appropriate and
realistic consideration for their fellow riders, and refrain from dominating
transitional categories—in other words, any category save Category A.
Calculation of Series Points
The series will be calculated on a best-5-of-7-results basis. (Subject to
change, should the number of events.)
Race results will be awarded points according to the following distribution:
1.
100
2.
85
3.
75
4.
60
5.
55
6.
50
7.
45
8.
40
9.
35
10.
30
11.
10
12.
9
13.
8
14.
7
15.
6
16.
5
17.
4
18.
3
19. 2
20.
1
21.
all finishers after 20th place will be awarded 1 point.
DNF
0
Event Type and Points Awards
Points will be awarded for all BNS road events.
Points will be awarded to stage race results based on the overall general
classification, according to the above scale.
Provincial championship events will also award points according to the above
scale.
Team, or “two-up” time-trial events will award identical individual points
to each team member based on the team result, according to the above scale.
Eg.: each member of a team placing 8th receives 40 points.
Results for team time trials are based upon the time of the last team member
to cross the finish line.
Women racing in Category B
Women who choose to race in Category B will be awarded points according to
their finishing place relative to the entire B pack, not just the other
women in the B pack. At the end of the season awards the women in Category B
will be recognised separately from the men in Category B.
Prize Money
Organizers are encouraged to operate financially sustainable events, and BNS leaves the decision whether to offer prize money to their discretion. However, in the interests of gender equity, should an organizer award prize money to the top placing men in the highest category, they must also make an equal award to the top placing women in the highest category, which may result in an award to women racing in Category B or Category F.
