126kg to Cat 4 racer! What does Cat 4 mean?

This is my first blog as I start winter training for the 2012 season.  In 2008 I was 126kg and struggling to ride 3.5 miles home from work, it’s now the end of 2011 and I’m planning my first season of racing, it’s funny how things have changed. 

I was sponsored last year by a magazine and gained access to the world of sportive riding, however I didn’t find it stirred those competitive longings in me though, the mix of riders taking part is usually diverse and it didn’t feel they made me do my best.  I really enjoy the habble at the end of a club run, and have found that my best performances come when being put under pressure by others so having a go at racing seems a natural progression.

Only problem is, I don’t really know anything about it!  I’ve declared I want to be a Cat 4 racer, but I’m not really sure what this is, and if it’s the right place for me to be riding.  More discussion needed with seasoned club members… 

The purpose of this blog is to see what it takes to go from a regular club rider, to a bike racer, albeit of the bog-standard amateur variety.  I’m sure there are people out there like me who love riding their bike, put in effort to train but feel like they should be doing something more with their attempts at riding quicker/harder/longer.  If you’ve not grown up around the sport, it can seem like a hard task investigating who you have to pay for a race license, where you find out what races are on, whether you can compete in said races or even what a race license is.

I want to win races, but I’ve no idea if I’m good enough or what the Scottish cycle racing scene is like, but I want to find out.  First thing on the agenda: winter training; more about that in my next blog, for now you can enjoy having a giggle at my overweight picture!