I had my third race today. More lessons learned.

1. Save some energy for the hard parts. The course I did today had a winding, mostly paved section just before what the announcer was calling the "mud pit of death" (he was understating). On the first lap, I rode fast on the paved sections, though at a speed I thought I could sustain. Then I hit the mud. Bad news. I spent the next half lap in the granny gear trying to recover.

2. An Egg Beater to the thigh can draw blood. If you've got more than two barriers to clear, shoulder the bike. If you hold it just high enough to clear the barriers, you've got a really good chance of bashing your leg into a pedal.

3. If you cross a road (paved or hard dirt), it will give you a second or two of extra traction and smooth rolling. Use it to accelerate. It's like a power up in a video game.

How about some more tips from the more experienced riders?