Mountain Bike Racing - First Mtn bike race question

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Telebiker
06-17-11, 08:11 PM
Howdy,
I'm in pretty decent shape and am considering doing a mountain bike race. I've got an old Trek Y-11 that my buddy gave me years ago:lol:. She's in good shape I made some upgrades but no carbon fiber wheels etc. Am I going to be made a fool of at the start line? Are Mtn bike races are a little more laid back than road races. I'm thinking of registering in the Cat 1 18 miler. I just took her for a hilly 48 miler this past tues at an easyish pace and averaged around 12 mph. I have no intentions of winning just looking to try something new and have a good time(suffering). Can I register in any category even though I've never raced before?

Thanks in advance.

Telebiker.

mechBgon
06-27-11, 12:21 AM
Go for it :beer: Your bike is a certified dinosaur at this point, but as long as it stays in one piece for the duration of the ride, that'll be enough. I remember being really intimidated at my first XC race, with my full-rigid bike next to a full-suspension ti bike (in Beginner, no less), but in the end it boiled down to (1) getting the holeshot at the first bottleneck, and (2) climbing fast. Do the best you can and enjoy the challenge.
LesterOfPuppets
06-27-11, 12:39 AM
Am I going to be made a fool of at the start line?
Can you usually clip in without falling over? Not to worry.


Are Mtn bike races are a little more laid back than road races.
sometimes.

This one is more casual than any road race I've been to:
http://www.portlandracing.com/photos/summer-casual-2011/IMG_1495.JPG


I just took her for a hilly 48 miler this past tues at an easyish pace and averaged around 12 mph.

48 miles of gnar or 48 miles of dirt road? If the former, that's a pretty long MTB ride.



Can I register in any category even though I've never raced before?

I wouldn't bet on it.