tec_41

I have my first team race one week from today! I'm very excited, but I don't want to be totally unprepared and look like a dink. So I need suggestions on what is totally needed.

-Spare tube/pump. This was my biggest concern...I don't want to drive 2 hours to my first race then be out after 5 minutes of biking. What do I need to do about this?

I have a helmet, jersey, sunglasses, gloves, and will be picking up a pair of shorts this week. My behind is hurting after riding this weekend.

I can't really think of much more, but I know you guys can tell me what is totally needed. Thanks!


-Gus

FreeRidin'

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....................I've never encountered anyone named Gus.

Good luck at your race!

Oh and yes, a spare tube and pump is a must.

alumrock12

distance of course?

water, lots of it. food.

just make sure you test ride your bike before you load it up, the night before.. make sure everythings running smoothly. don't worry about your tire. as long as you have a spare its good. i remember my first race i worried way too much about everything... didn't have too much fun, just relax the night before your race...since it is your first. have fun!

tec_41

Ha ha, thanks for the support! It's a 10 mile course... "Rolling hills, open ski trails, sandy wooded singletrack with quick ups and downs, this course has it all. The course loops through a centrally located jump bowl several times." That's the description. I'm pretty excited

alumrock12

oh yeah, haaha.. make sure you know the course too, even if its "marked well"

crash13

Bring a good set of LUNGS!
:0)

Dannihilator

Just do your best, and don't expect to win your first time out, and beware of sand baggers, and most of all, have fun no need to take your first race very seriously.

dminor 

Sounds like you're prepped and ready. The only thing I might add is you might think about a CO2 inflator instead of a pump just for the speed of it (or an inflator/mini-pump combo). Beware, though, that one normal cartridge won't do a MTB tire, so carry extra cartridges or get an inflator that uses the screw-on Big Air canisters.

LowCel 

Here is what I carry, seems to have worked for me so far.

One innertube.
One CO2 inflator, one extra cartridge.
SRAM Powerlink.
Multitool with chain tool.

That is pretty much it besides water / cytomax and gel's.

One big piece of advice though. Do not try anything new on race day. I don't care how much your friends / teammates tell you it will help. Just because it works for them does not mean it will work for you. Anything you plan on doing on race day make sure you try out on a training / practice / fun ride first.

Nickel

Sunscreen helps and I always bring a small roll of electrical tape and a few zip ties..because you never know!

apclassic9

Eat well the night before - pasta, rice - something with carbs for that slow release energy. If the weather's warm, start hydrating a day or 2 before your race. Don't eat within 2-3 hours before the race - you don't want your body busy digesting food when you want your body to rip up a hill! If the race flyer doesn't say they will feed you afterwards - bring food, because you will be hungry!

tec_41

Ah, I love this tidbit...


Thanks for all the advice! I'll have to let you all know how it goes.

Duane

I have to second Lowcel's advice. Nothing new on race day. That applies to your bike too. If you can't give it good solid test ride, don't change/adjust/replace/modify anything unless it's otherwise non-functional. I found this out the hard way, replaced a chain the night before a race, got the wrong one, drove 2 hours to only be able to use half of my rear cogs. And not the hill-friendly ones, either. I would have liked to have had them.

Bike Lover

I third the "nothin' new on race day" comment. I tried a sports drink for the first time for my first race. Awful. It was even a mild one that I still use, Hammer Heed, but, since I never used it before, I had no idea I'd also need water. And oh, did I need water thirst over whelmed me. Not having a water source caused me to stop after the first lap. Now, I ride with both heed and water.

I'm about to get a "Hydropack" (or is it Hydropak?), brand hydration pack because I find carrying a bottle and a Camelback Sidesling inconvenient at best during a race. The Hydropack allows for either left or right side exit of the mouth piece along the shoulder strap. Or, if you're wily, you can put two bladders in and run a drink in one bladder along one side and water in the other bladder on the other side. This feature, in itself, sold me on the pack.

cr45h

BEER, never forget the beer dude!! i can't be alone with this suggestion..

are you camping?
tent
pillow
sleeping bag
contacts? bring your stuff to clean them with
glasses
food
gel? powder?
toothbrush and toothpaste, though i never bring them during a race weekend, i'd rather be haggard as hell
did i mention beer yet?

apclassic9

It's Hydrapak

tec_41

Well I had to actually skip that first race...I was swamped with projects and had to mow a few lawns. However, I did race yesterday. The course was similar, same distance and description. I had a blast! The people were all very friendly and helpful, and it was such a pleasant atmosphere.

A few things: I didn't have time or money to get a spare/pump so I just was hoping not to get a flat (which I didn't )
Less than a mile into the race, my full water bottle that I hadn't touched yet was missing from its cage So I went the remaining 9 miles without anything to quench my thirst.
Also, I hadn't had time to give my bike a quick tune up the night before because I was hanging out with a lady friend. So I was having problems shifting with my rear deraileur. Oh, and I only got 3 hours of sleep the night before ha ha

Other than that, it was great. I finished 78th out of 156, which I'm happy with. Thanks for all your tips!

probable556

Don't go to an all you can eat Mexican buffet the night before

tec_41

I ate a big steak dinner at 1:30am the night before the race...so my dieting/sleeping habbits will have to change before the next race