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Racing in Clydesdale Division (Page 3)
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 2009-09-02 12:01 PM in reply to: #2383304 |
Master  2158   |  Subject: RE: Racing in Clydesdale DivisionI think that although all of us have slightly different mixes of motivations for going to races, it is still a race. Although my primary goal is fitness/health and my second is improvement from last race, I have to say that the competition with others is part of it as well. if they didn't have a clyde division, I would still race. However, since it is there, I race in that division. As a previous poster said, it is really about marketing. Most of the AG divisions are pretty arbitrary as well. Also, I don't think that anyone "hides" behind the clyde/athena. Nor do I think that many, if any people "bulk" to get to clyde weight. I don't know many recreational athletes who are trying to gain weight for endurance sports. If you wanted more "fairness" in the divisions, maybe you should have body fat % divisions. But I doubt that has much of a marketing life. So, OP, race where you want and make sure to get in those 2000 mile training rides. Every mile helps. |
| 2009-09-02 12:06 PM in reply to: #2385069 |
Champion 10154  Alabama | Subject: RE: Racing in Clydesdale Division Pector55 - 2009-09-02 11:49 AM Rogillio - 2009-09-02 12:47 PM Spleen - 2009-09-02 11:35 AM louiskie - 2009-09-02 11:08 AM The main benefit (to me, a non-clyde) is that you are racing against a smaller pool of people in the clyde division and therefore have a better shot at winning something. To me the advantage of the Clyde division is seeing how I match up against competitors that have a similar body type to mine. I'm primarily concerned with personally improving as a triathlete since I'm new to this sport, but it's good to see the times the fittest 200+ pounders put up so I can get a sense of how I stack up as a large, fit person. I come from a combat sports background. If you think there's a lot of divisions in triathlon you should see a jiu jitsu tournament where competition is broken down by age, weight, sex and experience level.
Now that you mention it, I have heard of races that have a "first-timers" division. I thought was kinda funny but I guess it attacts some people. ~Mike I still think there should be a hummingbird divsion for the scrawny kids. Is reverse-stigma a valid term? haha
Yeah, why is it ok for guys that don't even know me to say "Hiya doing big guy?!" I should probably respond with "Doing just fine peewee." ;-) ~Mike |
| 2009-09-02 12:08 PM in reply to: #2383304 |
Veteran 253 Sarasota FL | Subject: RE: Racing in Clydesdale Division I second that the clyde division lets me know how I placed against similar body-type athletes. I'll never be an 'elite' triathlete due to my frame. No matter how light I get, my very broad shoulders and short leg ratio will limit me somewhat. So it's nice to see how other people deal with sheer body mass also, regardless of shape. Personally, I'd like to see all triathlons divided by weight. Forget gender, age, "first-timers" or "fat tires" and break it down every 20lbs. Boxing does that, and it's also a toughness/endurance type sport. Plus, you could make up all kinds of fun names for each weight division. Hummingbird, Ultra-heavyweight, etc. steve Edited by EvenOlder 2009-09-02 12:09 PM |
| 2009-09-02 12:15 PM in reply to: #2385143 |
Champion 5376 PA | Subject: RE: Racing in Clydesdale Division Rogillio - 2009-09-02 1:06 PM Pector55 - 2009-09-02 11:49 AM Rogillio - 2009-09-02 12:47 PM Spleen - 2009-09-02 11:35 AM louiskie - 2009-09-02 11:08 AM The main benefit (to me, a non-clyde) is that you are racing against a smaller pool of people in the clyde division and therefore have a better shot at winning something. To me the advantage of the Clyde division is seeing how I match up against competitors that have a similar body type to mine. I'm primarily concerned with personally improving as a triathlete since I'm new to this sport, but it's good to see the times the fittest 200+ pounders put up so I can get a sense of how I stack up as a large, fit person. I come from a combat sports background. If you think there's a lot of divisions in triathlon you should see a jiu jitsu tournament where competition is broken down by age, weight, sex and experience level.
Now that you mention it, I have heard of races that have a "first-timers" division. I thought was kinda funny but I guess it attacts some people. ~Mike I still think there should be a hummingbird divsion for the scrawny kids. Is reverse-stigma a valid term? haha
Yeah, why is it ok for guys that don't even know me to say "Hiya doing big guy?!" I should probably respond with "Doing just fine peewee." ;-) ~Mike All in good fun. I just threw that out there to call attention to the fact that to a point, it does seem as though some look down their noses at the heavy weights. |
| 2009-09-02 12:40 PM in reply to: #2385172 |
Champion 10154 Alabama | Subject: RE: Racing in Clydesdale Division All in good fun. I just threw that out there to call attention to the fact that to a point, it does seem as though some look down their noses at the heavy weights.
Unless they are boxers. I can name a dozen or so professional heavyweight boxers....but only a few light/middle/feather weight boxers. When in doubt about divisions/classification, I look to the pros. They have pro male and pro female. That's it. No divisions by age or weight (or bike type).
~Mike |
| 2009-09-02 12:41 PM in reply to: #2385118 |
Member 93 Cedar Park | Subject: RE: Racing in Clydesdale Division eliwashere - 2009-09-02 12:01 PM Nor do I think that many, if any people "bulk" to get to clyde weight. I don't know many recreational athletes who are trying to gain weight for endurance sports. I work for a timing company that times a lot of triathlons (everything from pro to kids tri’s), and I know of a couple of 190#ers that race the division and if there is weigh-in they drink a lot of water before they weigh-in. Female Overall (1, 2, 3) Male Overall (1, 2, 3) Female 39 and Under Female 40+ Male 39 and Under Male 40+ If you are too big to place in AG then so be it. |
| 2009-09-02 12:46 PM in reply to: #2385260 |
Champion 10154 Alabama | Subject: RE: Racing in Clydesdale Division Sully_Joe - 2009-09-02 12:41 PMeliwashere - 2009-09-02 12:01 PM Nor do I think that many, if any people "bulk" to get to clyde weight. I don't know many recreational athletes who are trying to gain weight for endurance sports. I work for a timing company that times a lot of triathlons (everything from pro to kids tri’s), and I know of a couple of 190#ers that race the division and if there is weigh-in they drink a lot of water before they weigh-in. Female Overall (1, 2, 3) Male Overall (1, 2, 3) Female 39 and Under Female 40+ Male 39 and Under Male 40+ If you are too big to place in AG then so be it.
I like this! I like it a lot! Just one question....WTH is that thing you're holding?! Is that you're idea of carb-loading?
~Mike Edited by Rogillio 2009-09-02 12:46 PM |
| 2009-09-02 12:50 PM in reply to: #2385260 |
Expert 724 Simi Valley | Subject: RE: Racing in Clydesdale Division Sully_Joe There should only 6 division’s total: Female Overall (1, 2, 3) Male Overall (1, 2, 3) Female 39 and Under Female 40+ Male 39 and Under Male 40+ If you are too big to place in AG then so be it. Yeah I can totally see how roughly 2.5 decades of wear-n-tear, training advancements, and disparities of income and family life situation levels the playing field to where we can say, If you are too big to place in AG then so be it." |
| 2009-09-02 12:54 PM in reply to: #2383304 |
Champion 5376 PA | Subject: RE: Racing in Clydesdale Division Meh, those opposed to the clyde class are just those scrawny former cross-country guys who are bitter because they can't get back at the football players for being picked on in HS. just kidding! Relax... relaaaaaxxxx |
| 2009-09-02 1:02 PM in reply to: #2383304 |
Cycling Guru 15134 Fulton, MD | Subject: RE: Racing in Clydesdale Division That's why I'm all for the way that USAC does their distinctions. 5 categories (4 for the ladies) of amateurs. 5 is beginner, 1 is elite. Pro is still separate division but a lot of 1's (and even some 2's) could hang with the pros if given a shot. You would see much more competitive and close fields. You'd be racing someone of similar ability instead of age or weight that could be 10 times better (or worse) than you. But triathlon has to to cater to everyone without inviting "class" systems. So it will never happen even if it does make a ton more sense. |
| 2009-09-02 1:10 PM in reply to: #2385024 |
| Subject: RE: Racing in Clydesdale Division DJS - 2009-09-02 9:31 AM louiskie - 2009-09-02 10:08 AM This discussion always fascinates me. If it truly doesn't matter to people where they finish and the race is truly with just themselves, then why choose to race in a separate division? Why not just enter the AG division and be done with it since the results are against yourself. The main benefit (to me, a non-clyde) is that you are racing against a smaller pool of people in the clyde division and therefore have a better shot at winning something. OK, it is a heavier division so it evens things out in the respect, but if the race is truly with yourself, then who cares how much/little you weigh since it is you against you? Excellent post. To be crass, cuz getting on the podium is a great feeling, no matter what division  |
| 2009-09-02 2:50 PM in reply to: #2383304 |
Member 93 Cedar Park | Subject: RE: Racing in Clydesdale Division
But staying on the topic if you want to race Clydesdale and you are 200+ do it. But don't do it because you might medal. My first tri I ever did a friend signed us up and put me in the Clydesdale group and I won with only 8 weeks of training. So from that point on I race AG. Yes it is nice to see how I compare to people with the same "disadvantage", but I want to know how I compare to entire field. I realy only look at Overalls results. |
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