silmarillion

I have been riding both on road and off-road for years, have yet to do any CX racing. So I was hoping some of you more seasoned riders could toss some pointers out about what to expect.

I have been to a couple local areas where they set up CX courses. I think I'm a strong enough rider,but I'm a noob in this arena.

Cynikal 

Find clinic in your area and practice races. Don't expect much out of your first couple of races just learn and have fun.

flargle

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...r-first-season

larry e.

get comfortable mashing for long periods of time. work on that vomit threshold.

fietsbob

Don't forget there is running carrying the bike up steep portions, too..

Hunt-man

Work on all out intervals for 60 min. Then make it one interval all out.

Work on mounting / dismounting.

Try not to barf.

Pure Type II fun. (Fun after it is over but not during)

silmarillion

Thanks for the tips!

So how do the races work? Obviously they are a duration/distance event, how long does each event last?

Cynikal 

Depends on the level. For the starting class it's usually 30 min.

mr.smith.pdx

Best CX season I ever had followed a summer of RUNNING. Training for The Hood To Coast Relay is the best CX training I ever had. Practice dismounting and remounting at FULL speed. You will face plant a few times. It is ok, as long as you started out ugly already. Seriously, if you don't fall down practicing, you are not practicing hard enough. 45 minutes of redline is easier if you are used to (in my opinion) the higher aerobic needs of running. It's easier to tell your legs to shut up than your lungs.

mikerhymeswith

get to the line early - beginner class has no call-ups, so first come first in line; lung-busting holeshot; stay in front for the first lap; dismount well before the barrier - better to run more and trip less; practice remount at full run - it's actually easier that way - make sure you land on your inner thigh then scoot over - pedal hard and get away - then clip in; in the sand, unweight your bars and look far down field; experiment with tire pressure - how low can you go - try riding tubulars sometime; find mud, sand, hills, packed dirt, rutted trails, grass, barriers, anything unridable; never coast - keep power to the pedals continually; practice cornering with figure-8s and gradually increase speed; bring your trainer to races and warm up for an hour before the start

mr.smith.pdx

+1

I used to think, "If I warm up for a long time, I'll just be tired." Not true. If you're tired after your warm up, you are too out shape to race. Warm up makes ALL the difference if you want to race well. If you just want to ride it, then skip the warm up and watch everyone ride away from you for the first lap.