Training & Nutrition - XC training

Hey I'm going to start XC racing when the season comes around, any of you have some training tips?

Not sayin' I know what I'm talking about, but I used to race. My buddies and I would find a good steep, relatively short hill and do sprints up it(on the bike). Rinse and repeat. Could be the whole purpose of the ride that day or maybe just a little training on a recreational ride. A road bike would help, too. We put slicks on our mtb's to do some road riding, but, of course, the gearing is not the same.

P.S. Carbo-load the night before a race(if you're still allowed to do that.;)

Wow I didn't know you could get slicks for MTB's thanks for the advise. What would carbo-loading the night before do?

carb loading will help to a certain degree, but training is much more important. try some spinning classes or get a trainer, road miles(put slicks on your bike), etc. by doing road/trainer miles, you tend to pedal more consitantly than when you're on a mountain bike and you can build up cardiovascular strength. make sure you can handle obstacles and rough terrain, especially when going up and down hill. btw, climbing hills, whether road or mountain, will help with any climbs in your races. i'm not saying you shouldn't load up on carbs the night before and that morning, but it isn't a magic ticket that will make up for a lack of fitness and strength. carbs are your body's main source of short term fuel, so eating more carbs than usual before a race will help keep you fueled. also, i would recommend having two bottles when you race, one of water, the other of a drink with carbs, such as watered down gatorade or an endurance drink (available at you local health store). also, eat "good" carbs . . . fruits, whole wheat pastas and breads, oatmeal, avoid white bread and highly processed sugars. good luck, if you have any more Q's, ask away!

Alright, what exactly is an endurance drink, it sorta sounds like a carb drink. Do you know a good place to buy slick mountain bike tires?