leadbutt

I've decided that this coming year is going to be different from the last three. I want to race XC instead of just picking trails and showing up and riding. I'm really excited because I know this will be an exciting way to meet other riders and push myself to a new level of fitness and skill.

However, as I run everything through my mind, I try to imagine what it will be like. Sure, I won't KNOW until I actually get there for that first race, but I'd like to have a good idea.

Here's a few questions:

When do you line up? How much time are you up there at the line?

I'll be in the Beginner Men 30-34 class, but should a newbie stay back a little to get a feel for the pack or should I dive to the front and stomp the gears?

I know it's a sprint for the entrance, so how violent is all the bumping and banging?

Thanks for any help...

gwhunt23

About the starting line, some races do "Leman's Style" sprint and grab your bike and go. This helps spread out the riders and you avoid locking bikes together at the line. Here's a tip for this kind of start: Put your bike off to the side. If the run is on a gravel road or doubletrack, try to run off to the side in the grass. It is much easier to do this when you are wearing bike shoes. Don't be afraid to line up at the front of the line in the sprint; if you're fast, great, if you're slow you won't be holding anyone else up.

As far as how much time you spend at the line, it all depends on the race director. Some will make the final call 5 minutes before the start and some will make the final call just a minute before. Try to get there on the first call though, that way you have time to do all of the stretches you forgot.

During the race, don't forget your new favorite phrase, "On your left."

Good luck and have fun!

apclassic9

Most races will have a race meeting 15 minutes or so before the race start - the race director will go over the rules, and should tell the riders what to expect and watch out for on the course, where the water stations are, etc.

Most MTB races have staggered starts by race class, so you will end up in a group of beginners... go for the front of whatever group you're in, but don't make the mistake of busting yourself in the 1st 5 minutes of the race! Beginners (in a staggered race start) will start LAST - so you will not get run over by the experts & sports. If the start is one MASS start, without class breakdowns, you might want to hang back a bit so the experts & sports don't knock you down! This depends upon your abilities, so make a judgement call...

Prepare your pack - unlike trail riding, you cannot theoretically cannot accept tools, parts, or assistance from other riders if your break something or flat... have your tubes, air, basic tools in your pack or back pocket. Practice tube changes without removing your wheel from the bike - leave the stem cap off your tubes for a faster change - you want to get tube changes down to 3 minutes or less. Bring food & drink, even if there are water/feed stations.

Pre-ride the race course so there are no big surprises, and try to get to the venue early so you have plenty of time to register and chat with riders experienced on the particular course. Bring MORE food & drink for a snack after the race - in WV, promoters have post-race dinner, but this is not a standard (outside of WV, anyway!), and you WILL be hungry!

Watch the WVMBA website (www.wvmba.com) for the 2006 schedule - the 1st race of the season is usually at Pipestem (tentatively scheduled for April 9), which is kind of near you! And, when racing in early spring - be prepared! A 60 degree day can rapidly turn into a 50 degree downpour, or even snow... so take more clothes than you might think you need, just in case.

On the course - in addition to your new favorite phrase "on your left", also remember that if you are walking your bike, you should yield to all riders; get off the trail during repairs, don't block the experts, and mind your manners - especially when there are kids racing. Folks who are rude on the trail get identified quickly by other riders.

Hope to see you at the 2006 WV Point Series - have fun & enjoy the ride!!

dirtbikedude

The pre ride is not just a quick spin around the course. You should look over the course for the smoothest or fastest line, where are the obstacals, etc. If you find a spot that looks difficult/intimmidating then stop and find a way through that will allow you to stay on the bike.

As far as having to walk your bike, if you are in shape and need to carry it for some reason you should jog or run. But besure you are in shape to do that or wil have killed any chance of a good race.

DBD

BLM

What to expect at the start.....

Expect to ride so hard that your heart is about to shoot out of your chest. Make it through that, and you will be fine.

drumbum

You will find that the things you need to do before your first race will be taken care of intuitively. For instance, I know I spent a few nights before worrying about the various aspects of the start; how I was going to line up, where I was trying to position myself, etc. However, race day came and the bustle drowned out everything else. I found the race had started, and I was just riding along. There were people faster than me that soared ahead, and people slower than me. I just hung around with some random people that looked the same and enjoyed myself. You'll find that you no longer worry about anything but finishing the race, and you take simple joys out of passing even a single person on the singletrack.