I have got back into riding last year, and want to do some racing next year. I am 32 years old, have never raced before, and live in southern Ohio (Athens area). How do I get started?
Beginner XC racing questions
- Thread starter Mike662
- Start date
Find out where a race is... the weekend before the race the course should be marked. Ride it a few times, figure out your lines, etc. If your comfortable with the course then show up show up nice and early before the race, pick up a one day USAC license, register as beginner class (cat 3), and see how you do.
What is the race format? I mean do you race a number of laps or for a time? Is there anything else that a clueless newbie should know?
Usually there is a race webiste or flyer that has some info on it regarding the format: what time the different categories start, how many laps... If you can't get there to preride before the race don't panic. It's nice to know what you are in for but sometimes it doesn't work out. Be prepared the night before with some of the essentials. Will you wear a hydration pack or just use a water bottle? Are you comfortable drinking out of a water bottle while riding fast and surrounded by people? Pack a tube, pump or CO2 cartridge, tire levers, and chain tool if you have one.
have fun.
have fun.
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Did you pre ride? "no I'm going to use the force".
its your first race... bring all the stuff heidi mentioned so you can finish, pedal as fast as you can, and have fun.
Its a beginner class race. It will be 1 or 2 laps (6-10 miles if that). Dont take a camelback, take 1 bottle and your flat repair kit of choice.
Make sure to ride around for 15-20 minutes first to warm up. Chances are you will come up on the finish and spend the rest of the afternoon saying you could have gone harder, so just go fast the whole time. Unless you are fat.
Don't make your first race a national, not preriding spices the smaller races up. When you start racing pro, you've been to 98% of the venues already, so you just let chicks flirt with you until warm up time anyways.
Make sure to ride around for 15-20 minutes first to warm up. Chances are you will come up on the finish and spend the rest of the afternoon saying you could have gone harder, so just go fast the whole time. Unless you are fat.
Don't make your first race a national, not preriding spices the smaller races up. When you start racing pro, you've been to 98% of the venues already, so you just let chicks flirt with you until warm up time anyways.
If you are'nt comfortable riding fast and drinking from a bottle, just race with a Camelbak. Just cuz you lose XC racer style points doesn't mean you shouldn't do what's comfortable to you.