I got dropped so badly in my first race they called out cadaver dogs. What was worse was the dogs found me.

For people who need their egos fed this is a horrible sport for most. If you like to engage in a process that provides years of learning, exploration, and a multiplicity of avenues for improvement it's pretty darn good. If you're really lucky, smart, and dedicated you might win or podium once in a great while. If not then the process is the reward, along with meeting some neat people along the way.