Should I join Clyde div?

Just like any other age group, all sizes, shapes and colors.  6'1" 201 pounders, 300 pounders, everything in between... no way to generalize

Same for times.  Depends on the race, time, distance and who shows up.  I took 4 mintues off my time at a race last year, I had raced it the year before and was a minute out of first place.  Last year, despite the reduction, i was 6th place.

SOme big boys are really fast.

I am just of the opinion if there's a clydes I race in it.  If there isn't I don't.

Ditto!!

6'2"  and down to 204 now.  I am up front in the Clydes and MOP in the 40-44 Males.

My husband is 6'3" and between 205 and 210 and always signs up for Clyds when there is a choice. He usually finishes in top 10% of Clyds and MOP in Age Group.

I'm 6'6", 220 and find the clyde division a good palce for me, On saturday I found it interesting that the XL2 division I placed 4th in was faster then the smaller XL1 clydes. Had I gone just AG I would have been BOP, but also carrying 50-60 pound more. 

If you qualify and want to race clyde go for it.  It is no guarantee of a podium just because you are not overweight.  I am 6'7" 215lbs and get grief some for racing clyde.  Alot of overweight inviduals feel like the division is not for athletic types and that is essentially what the division was designed for.  From what I read in a Tri magazine at one time it said the division was made for body builder types to compete against each other.  Now think about what a clydesdale horse looks like... Massive animal with lots of muscle.  In some races they have Rhino and Hippo divisions for people that are even heavier with less muscle.

Ah-ha. I have been pondering whether to race in the Athena Division but was unsure. his thread helps, especially this post because I keep losing inches in the right places but not lbs-must be adding some muscle-still slow and clumsy though.

Ah, the age old question....

I race clyde when it's offered, and don't when it's not - In the las vegas area, it's about 50/50 if it's even offered.  Many times, I don't see the difference.  I tend to land just off the podium for either clyde or AG.  However, I tend to do a little better if I race clyde - but only a place or two.

Clydes are tough. I raced my first race at 225+ a few weeks ago. Background,  I've always been big, weight lifting stuff like that and my job requires that I'm in good shape running and cardio wise. I placed second but the thing is that the guys who placed with me looked like linebackers. All I kept thinking was I'd hate to have to wrestle this guy. In hind site I was comfortable in this division b/c these guys looked like me and I didn't stand out as "the big guy."

I am new to the forum so please be kind....

I've been racing for 2 years and have always competed as a Clyde. I am 37, 6' 2" and 210 lbs. I lost 90 lbs back in 2003 and have been weight lifting, running, cycling ever since.  

In first year I was just happy to finish. But in my second year I trained HARD and finished third in both the Sprint and my first Olympic distance. I finished in the top third overall and was proud of that, but getting to stand on the Podium was very special...and something I would never be able to do competing against the smaller guys in my age group.

I thought the Clyde group was going to be just  for overweight people, but as others have said, it was a real mix of big people. Some overweight, but also just some BIG people like me who want to compete on a more even playing field.

To anyone considering competing in the division....I say GO FOR IT!! 

I would join the Clydesdale category, but my trainer, who is also a local race coordinator, doesn't like that category.  Heck, I'm pushing for the Super Clydesdale, for racers over 220.

On the other hand, hopefully all of this swimming, biking and running will get me out of the category.