Mountain Bike Racing - XC Racing

Hey, I've been doing lots of XC training on my bike as a source of cross training and practice for triathalons. I was thinking about doing a some sort of entry level XC race this season. I was just wondering what to expect in terms of length, and speed of races. I know they probably vary but please just share your first time race experiences.:beer:

Originally posted by urbanking
Hey, I've been doing lots of XC training on my bike as a source of cross training and practice for triathalons. I was thinking about doing a some sort of entry level XC race this season. I was just wondering what to expect in terms of length, and speed of races. I know they probably vary but please just share your first time race experiences.:beer:

Yup, there are a bunch of races with a variety of flavors. Generally speaking, most one-day races last between 1-4 hours, and the length varies greatly depending on the difficulty/technical level. However, there are a ton of 24-hour races that one can do with a team or solo.

Good luck! :)

XC races are similar to time trials. You go all out for the number of laps required. There is virtually no drafting and not much strategy.

The MOST important this is a pre-race ride to scope out the course and to find the fastest line in the technical sections. Don't ride your race during the pre-ride. Save your good stuff for the race. My last race of the season this year featured a sandy, 30 ft. blind descent. I approached it nervously on the pre-ride, but negotiated it okay. Later in the race I rode it 3 more times. The confidence I built during the pre-ride reduced my nervousness during the race.

Another thing to keep in mind is that speed and fatigue make easy trails look hard, and hard trails look impossible. Stuff you're comfortable with on a trail ride at home becomes really hard when you're going all out, in traffic and you're tire. Just concentrate harder. If you let down mentally you'll be on your butt in no time.

I'll keep that in mind. thanx:)

See if you can find a small, local race series. This is a great way to start because it is a small group with very little pressure, so there's not nearly as much stress as starting off with a large event and a load of spectators. Go to your favorite shop and join their club- they'll also have group rides and the discount is a nice bonus. :)

Have fun!

XC races are similar to time trials. You go all out for the number of laps required. There is virtually no drafting and not much strategy.



NOT MUCH STRATEGY there is a ton of strategy its all do u sprint the first 900ft.? no u stay with the leaders until (or unless you can make a breakaway) say with the leaders and then you out sprint them there is a ton of strategy if you ask me