Eyenigma

Anyone done one of these races? Over the Hump Mountain Bike Race Series
Looks like quite good fun, and i'm tempted to try my hand at it for a few kicks.

bikeme

It's a great way to break up your work week! I've raced the last 3 seasons in Sport class. It's a very fun, family-focused time with vendor booths, music, dinner catered by Wahoo's Fish Taco and craft beer for sale. The racing is competitive (as is most racing) but there are many skill levels broken down by age. The fastest and youngest guys go first and so on. Folks are generally nice on the course, announcing if they're passing, etc. The organizers are always pushing that we're here for fun and anyone who is a jerk is not welcomed back. My daughter has raced the kids races for 3 years too and is looking forward to starting in May. If you've never raced, sign up for Beginner class in your age slot. The exception would be if you are a beast, then you might go directly to Sport. A couple fellows I met there did Beginner one race each and they more than handily beat their field, so they moved up next race to Sport to be fair. Some guys stay in Beginner forever and they're not sandbagging--that's ok too. The OTH courses are fairly flat and not too technical. The longest climb is probably 1/8 mile and not crazy steep--most climbs are short, punchy ones. Another series that is very well run is Non Dot Adventures' OC Classic, held at four of the OC Regional Parks on the weekends. The first race is a time trial at Whiting Ranch this Saturday, March 19. Non Dot Adventures | Your home to mtb racing in the OC Parks They are a little more challenging with more climbing and some technical sections.

Eyenigma

@bikeme Wow, thanks. Exactly the kind of reassurance I was hoping to read. I've been riding about 6 months and figured I'd cut my teeth on beginner. I think for my first event I just want to try and learn and soak up as much information as I can. As much as I'd like to fantasize about being competitive right out of the gate, I suspect I'm going to be humbled. Will check out the other link too. I've been trying to go to a few events just to soak in the competitive nature and see a little behind the scenes stuff. I checked out the Kenda Cup over the weekend just to spectate. Humbling. Thanks again!

Eyenigma

Well now hang on. Let me throw an audible on you. https://nondotadventures.com/home/races/whiting/
So it's basically a TT? Every few seconds a racer leaves the line? That kind of thing? Is the course marked with arrows? The video implies you have to know where you're going and such. Looks pretty interesting in fact.

bikeme

Yes, the riders leave every 30 seconds or minute, can't remember exactly. The course is well marked with course marshals to help guide racers plus there are a bunch of crazies out there ringing cowbells and cheering for you. This is a great intro to racing but without a mass start.

Eyenigma

Damn! I wish I knew earlier. I would have tried to do this weekend's. That first climb looks pretty epic! Will definitely note the next one and put it on the calendar. Assuming you're competing, good luck! Where do you typically ride when not competing? I frequent Chino Hills State park quite a bit, but am eager to get a bit more south. Will look to ride this loop either way. Another person tells me I should try "chutes."

*Yes, I'm relatively new to the area if you couldn't already tell.

bikeme

Yes, I'm racing it--thanks for the well wishes. I ride Chino Hills myself but mostly ride at Santiago Oaks (where Chutes trail is) as well as Laguna Coast and Aliso-Wood Canyons. OCparks.com has all the parks and maps online. BTW, there are two "Chutes" at Santiago Oaks Regional Park. Older Chutes, officially known as Chutes Ridgeline, is a strictly downhill technical trail, while Newer Chutes aka just Chutes, is a two way technical single track. It is much mellower than Chutes Ridgeline and is used by many to climb into SORP from the south as well as an easier way to get down. Hope to see you at the April Non-Dot race or at OTH.