Racing...which category is 'my' category?

When I first started racing in late 2007 I didn't give categories much thought other than, ride the category with the most laps. I did this for three main reasons, firstly I was travelling for at least three hours for races so the more time I was riding the bike the better. Secondly at my first ever race I watched the film '24 solo' and it made me think about the psychological side of riding your bike for that long and how you cope with it, so I decided that my goal should be to build up to a point when I feel fit enough to try to ride my bike for 24 hours...just to see what would happen, could I hack it, would I start hallucinating, how would I keep myself motivated (I'm motivated, but not sure if I'm THAT motivated). Finally, I rather foolishly thought if I entered the longer races people wouldn't ride as fast so I'd be able to keep up and hopefully dogged determination would get me a reasonable result (a reasonable result I thought was not finishing in last place).

Anyway, I've since learned a lot, sometimes from other racers, sometimes by doing something stupid. I thought I had figured out which category I should be in but when I started to think about riding in the national xc races, I realised I was still confused between the ability categories (Sport\Expert\Elite) and the age categories (Masters, Veterans, etc). So here is a little bit of information about who I think rides in these categories and why, based on what I've seen.

Under 12's, Youth, Juvenile, Juniors, etc
It's great seeing races where they have this category as it's the future of our sport so the future XC stars are probably already lining up on the start line. I always wish I'd thought to buy a mountain bike when I was a kid and get started early, rather than spend my time building ramps and messing around on my bmx. I learnt a lot of my awesome skills on my bmx and have scars to prove it so it wasn't a complete waste of time. These are all age related groups so ability doesn't really come into it. Don't be surprised when the 'whippets' in these groups pass you during races.

Under 23's
You'll find up and coming racers and racers starting to really hit their stride in this category. I'd expect this to be extremely competitive as the top guys here are probably heading for national\world domination. Obviously, like all of the older categories, there could be some sport\expert\elite riders here.

Masters
An age related category for 30-39 year olds which will contain people in this age range obviously but also watch out for ex-Elite riders who have switched categories and people who have been racing for a good few years already. I'm currently supposed to be in this category and although I'm getting quicker, I think I will get more competitive racing in the Sport category. There are some seriously quick people who ride in this category. As in any category, after a few races you'll find your main competitors and you can slowly work at beating them and moving up the rankings. When you are at the age for riding in this category, don't be alarmed to find the odd weird noise emitting from your body when you least expect it, such as when you reach down when seated to get your training bag from under your desk at work. These unexpected noises should be met with a look up/around of bewilderment and surprise. It's pretty normal, it's called your body getting old and it is to be fought tooth and nail to the bitter end...best get used to it though.

Veterans
An age related category for 40-49 year olds. This is what I have to look forward to in a few years time...gnarled ex-roadies, ex-Elite riders, guys who have been racing for twenty years, seasoned pro's, weekend leisure riders, Dad's who are regretting making drunken bets in the pub....they're all here and they're waiting to skin you alive. By this time I expect my knees to be making more noise than my bike during the average race. Most off bike activities such as bending down to tie my shoes, getting the bike out of the car, putting on my CamelBak are accompanied by a whole range of sighing\groaning\creaking noises which you didn't have in your thirties but which are now happily accepted.

Grand Veterans and upwards
I think racers in this category tend to be 50+. I really don't know what to say about the riders in this category other than they look fitter, ride harder whilst making less noise than me...they are racing gods...just stay out of their way, you're only fit to scrub their tyres clean...they won't trust you to clean the actual bike. Try to trick them into telling you racing tips and advice...promise them pancakes, beer or sanatogen in return.

Fun
This is the category I have been racing in for the Whyte Winter Series 2008-09. A real mixture of people racing for the first time, people just enjoying the trails and soaking up the whole epxerience, novice riders who are looking for a little friendly race experience with other novices. Mostly a very laid back category but there will no doubt be someone there who will give you a race. In some of the twenty four hour races, the Fun Team category can be extremely competitive.

Open
This is usually a 'catch all' category. Some races do not have the age related categories so riders who are not looking to progress year on year or maybe aren't looking to race against people with a certain level of ability can be found here. That doesn't mean that there aren't riders from other categories here though...sometimes people fancy a change and just ride Open. Also, anyone who doesn't know which category they should be in will probably end up riding Open. A real mixed bag...riders could be riding their first race, weekend warriors just in it for fun but maybe racing fairly regularly or possibly ex Sport\Expert\Elite's...checking out their bike and kit should give an idea. Mis-matched kit, CamelBak, hairly legs? Probably just a weekend warrior or someone not taking it too seriously. Matching lycra, no excess baggage on them or the bike, tanned, shaved and oiled legs ...thinking of giving them a serious run for their money? If you don't look like them then you'd better be good!

Sport
Looking to progress year on year and move up the categories by earning points from BC ranked events. Starting in Sport, with some wins, a bag full of ranking points and recognition they'll be asked to move up to Expert. No doubt they're pretty good racers who probably finish in the top 25% of non-ranking races.

Expert
Next category up from Sport. I imagine their training regimes would have most people shaking their head and calling them nuts. They progress like sport, top handful go up to Elite. These are the guys you usually see at races riding really fast whilst holding a conversation about their latest turbo trainer training plan...for most of the lap....at least I think so, I usually can't keep up that long.

Elite
The top riders who put their heart and soul in to their racing and suffer accordingly...when they're training and when they're racing. The speed they ride at is something to see...I've been racing for a while and it still amazes me. They cane the fireroads, flow seemlessly through the singeltrack, have the audacity to look like they're enjoying the pain and probably eat babies for breakfast. If you are riding in races with these specific categories don't panic, they usually have their own race all to their own...that doesn't mean you won't meet on the singletrack though. You can usually tell when these guys are coming through as, if there is a bunch of them together then they'll be talking and laughing whilst riding at an incredible speed...it'll also sound like all hell is breaking loose over your shoulder as they taken any available route to get quickly and easily past you. Best to just get the hell out of the way really!