So the only spots left at Grattan are in novice. As an INT rider would I be allowed to pass on the straights and ride outside of a group(the novice group usually rides in groups of 3-4).
I'm not a coach, will say what happened when I rode in novice. I rode in the first group. Was bored out of my mind the first two sessions so I worked on body position. That is still my nemesis. After lunch things open up and I made a game of setting myself up for passing once I hit a straight. (no passing in corners.) If you have the right mind set you can learn a lot not trying to stay on pace in Intermediate. Who know's maybe your don't have anything to work on. Novice is for slower riders, many have NO track time and blowing by them on the corners can flat freak them out. You might be shocked some of the group 1 novice riders are due to be moved up and haven't by choice. Found several to run a decent mid I group pace and passing them wasn't as easy as I thought it would be.
if you are in INT rider normally and you can only sign up in novice you MUST AND WILL follow all the novice rules.. this includes following your coach for the first few sessions. and yes going to the classes (we really do pay attention to that) my recommendation is go into group 1-2 sometimes group 2 is faster.. lol and work on all the amazing things we cover in novice that sometimes INT riders tend to forget (besides its always good to slow your self down some to learn or retrain ourselves) so for first few sessions.. generally until lunch you are behind a coach. no passing unless its your group passing another group.. only in straights and only when signaled.. then after lunch when things open up you are allowed to run open, STILL FOLLOWING NOVICE RULES , 6 foot all the way around, passing in only the designated straights that are gone over in the final novice class session . I would also let your coach know that you are an approved intermediate rider but there was no spots so they know . before even all that (went over the novice stuff as that's what you have to sign up in) I would when you go up to registration in the morning talk to the reg staff and see if possibly there are any openings for intermediate from no shows... there is always a possibility. be prepared that there won't be as this is a very busy weekend and always sells out!