[NCNCA] New Upgrade guidelines

[Dan Connelly]

Jim Volsansky wrote:
> Ding ding ding ding, We have a winner!
> 
> Chris you've pretty much nailed it on the head. This
> is exactly the program we've (EBC crit) been running 2
> years straight at our crit.
>  From the promotional side of the world, it really
> doesn't make a numbers difference when you get down to
> it. Having a 4's only field allow for 100 riders which
> more than makes up for the smaller 5's field of 50. In
> a sense this makes it doubly safe smaller pack for the
> 5's, and no 5's in wiht the 4's. everybody wins.
> 
> Jim
> Race director of EBC crit.


At the Early Bird Criteriums this year, there were higher-category "mentors" at all beginner-racer events.  This, I feel, made a huge difference with safety.  Larry Nolan runs a fantastic program there.

For road races it may be impractical.  But it's a practice I think would benefit all cat 5 crits.  I don't know how to legislate a mandate for this sort of thing, or if there are potential perverse liability issues, but in the best of worlds, every cat 5 race would have this type of supervision.

I don't think there'd be a shortage of volunteers at any mixed-category event.  It's a good opportunity for a pre-race warm-up for higher category riders.

Dan