Quantcast

I don't know where i beloooooooooooooooooooong

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,031
5,921
borcester rhymes
Thinking about signing up for an XC race this weekend, the Root 66 at Grafton ponds. I haven't raced XC in probably 15 years (did miserable then) but I ride somewhat regularly up to 12 miles, usually around 6. What category should I go in? Cat 3 is 9 miles, cat 2 is 13.5. I previously raced cat2 DH and got my ass handed to me by both sandbaggers and non....but I don't want to take anything from beginners.
 

UNHrider

Monkey
Apr 20, 2004
479
2
Epping, NH
If you're not a beginner, dont race beginner... thats how i look at it. besides you're paying what $40-$50 to race, may as well do the extra mileage.
 

auntesther

Monkey
Oct 15, 2001
293
0
Boston, MA
I was in the exact same boat last year...hadnt done a XC race in 15 years, was awful when I did them. My rides were around the same length as yours. I had raced DH in between my XC stints ( and did just as awful). I entered in the Beginner class ( my tech skills are alot better than my conditioning) and I ended up doing " ok" but certainly not well enough to take anything away from anyone else. I have done a few since and havent gotten any better.
I think beginner in XC is based alot more on physical condition than it is riding ability. DH is different ...skills plays a much bigger role in that ( I raced sport in DH)
I plan to move up this year next race and likely will get my a** completely handed to me. The lap times in the few races I have done are pretty consistent between beginner and sport ( both are really fast) but longer distances. I would suggest jumping in with the beginners, see how you feel and can handle the pace and length. Alot of the guys in my class in the races I did had a similar story ( used to race, took a long time off for life, just trying it out again). If you find yourself crushing it and have alot more in the tank, move up next one.
 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,031
5,921
borcester rhymes
Well I looked again shortly after I posted and there's a separate "first timers" category. I think Cat3 will work for me, at least this time around.
 

Sandwich

Pig my fish!
Staff member
May 23, 2002
21,031
5,921
borcester rhymes
Definitely. My physical condition could be described as "poor" and, though I was confident my skill level, I couldn't make up for a lack of fitness in cat 2 DH. I wouldn't think about doing it a second time if I actually won.