Age brackets are not only for kids. When adults compete they race in one of several masters brackets (I have discovered that masters level is just a cleaver way of describing an older adult; marketing strikes again.) Specifically in cycling there are age and skill categories. The age brackets are every 5 to 10 years starting with 20+. The skill brackets are listed as Cat 1-5 with 1 being the most competitive. During the 4 man Time Trial I had the opportunity to compete in the open category, anyone can race there are no limits, a skill category like Cat 4/5 or an age category, 50-59. Part of the luck/skill in competing is choosing the correct group to compete in. Last year we would have medaled in the 50+ group but were ineligible because 1 team member dropped out due to injury and was replaced with a 32 year old. We came in 6th in the open category. Still not too shabby.
I had no idea that aging up is still a big issue even at the masters level. Sunday I was riding with the usual suspects. We began talking about the recent indoor Time Trial at VQ and I mentioned that 1 of the stronger older riders Geneo won the 65+ group. One of the other riders, Bob H who is an excellent rider and can ride with any A group, commented that he just turned 60. We knew that he was 60+ because we saw that he had won that group.
Then it hit me, Bob H just aged out of my category and 1 huge obstacle to my success had been removed. Wow, I felt really lucky to know that I was no longer competing against Bob, a superior cyclist. However the other riders in the 60+ group were bummed because they now had to ride against Bob. But there is a silver lining. Kevin L said "wait a minute this is great news. Our 4 man TT team has just become unbeatable, we are going to dump the slowest guy and use Bob!"
There it is again, the blessing and curse of aging-up. Who knew that aging-up would continue to dog me through my life. As Art Linkletter kinda said "Aging is not for sissies."
