Riles

First race comming up this Sunday - beginners level.

Been working on my fitness a little, but I know it's going to hurt - although I hv heard the course is pretty flat, which sounds like a good one to start in.

I have no targets - just a fact finding, see what it is like, get some experience and watch some of the better level riders to see what they do...

The one thing that dawned on me when riding this weekend - taking on liquid in a race ?? - I have always stopped to do this and when I tried it while riding I realised it's not so easy to stay fast and drink - I am assuming the aim is to be able to drink and keep almost the same speed up ? - guess you also need to choose the right place on the course to do it.... I guess not much more to it than that - I just shud have been practising this more I guess...

Also how much liquid do you racers take ?

born2bahick

Most people I know in a race will use a camelback of some kind rather than drinking from a bottle. If that is what your finding difficult.

wvxc

Let us know how you do. Good luck!

Riles

I didn't think people used those for racing - I think my pack is a little large anyway - I will get one of those streamline packs that is only used for holding liquid & problem solved.

I hv one other question - what about the saddle bag that has spare tire & basic tools assume I need that ? although time it takes me to change a tire the next level race may have started....didn't get around to practising changing tires....

Thanks !

pinkrobe

I have found that drinking while riding is a skill that is learned over time, but in a race situation, it's actually easy to forget that you need to drink. If it's a short race [less than an hour] and not too warm out, you might be able to get away without drinking at all, but I can't recommend that. Try and get a mouthful of water every 10-15 minutes. That small amount should be enough to keep you hydrated but not slosh around in your belly while you're riding. I would also recommend energy gel [i.e. ClifShot, PowerGel, etc.] to keep your energy levels topped up.

Race preparation is an art and a science. When you're training, try and ride the way you would in a race. Make sure you set up your bike properly, especially things like tire pressure or seat position. Avoid last minute changes if you can. I've known racers who practiced changing flats in their spare time. I checked the tire pressure just before the race and otherwise spent my time at the pub.

Evilbee

You're supposedly meant to drink 1 litre per hour of medium - hard riding, but I don't think I ever do (but I'm not a racer). Bear in mind that excessive consumption of energy drinks/gels etc can inhibit the absorption of water into the body. I don't know how much qualifies as excessive though.
Best of luck in the race.

LowCel 

The most important thing is have fun. The next thing is don't try anything new on race day. If you haven't done it before or during a ride before, don't do it on race day. You should have your normal breakfast before the race, just make sure you do it at least two hours before the race so you will have time to process it.

For the fluids I have always carried a camelbak in the races. This year I am going to try to switch over to bottles just to give my lower back a bit of a break. Just do what you feel comfortable with.

Riles

thanks guys - some good advice there !

WannaGetGood

You have to start somewhere. Lets hope that you win and go on to harder levels of racing.

apclassic9

My son's experience with those little saddle-paks is that one tends to lose the contents on the trail... the younger one used to stop & pick up what the older one dropped during a race. They both pretty much use medium sized hydration packs - the pockets on it should be big enough for your spare tubes & tools.

You should drink during a race, but, more importantly, begin to hydrate the day beofre the race (and not with beer!). Don't eat within 2-3 hours of racing, but when you have your breakfast, it wouldn't hurt to focus on thinks like pancakes or waffles with some eggs, or some oatmeal. You will need the carbs and the protein! Munch down an energy-type bar during the pre-race meeting. If your race does not offer a post-race meal, pack some food for after the race, because you will be hungry. Also, a really cheap alternative to those energy-gel packets are circus peanuts - those orange things - they're basically the same stuff as Gu.

Drunken Chicken

I don't know what distance you'll be doing but I participated in an enduro even (lots of uphill, lots of downhill), 30km. I was wearing goggles, a fullface helmet and shinguards which came VERY useful on the DH but were a pain in the ass upwards. After 45 minutes I ran out of water and the rest of the "race", about 2-3 hours more was pretty hellish in 34 degree Celcius temperature with a FF and no water.

Remember, hydrate or die. Apart from that my suggestion is to just enjoy yourself, I had sooooo much fun on that race I couldn't believe it although I did place somewhere in the middle-end of the participators.

MattP.

Just a suggestion: don't attempt to tweak anything the day of the race or right before the race. Get all your adjustment done the day before and just let your bike chill

Riles

I got everything cleaned and lubed up & checked it's all working sweet yesterday - I will not ride now until Sunday...

I am going to take the saddle bag off and put what I need in hydration pack pockets & I will use the pack for drinking and leave the bottles at home.

All I need to get now is a pre-excersise carb loader to drink on the morning & I think I'm set...

Trained pretty hard Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and I will now rest up until Sunday(Race day) and just stretch out on a few days - as long as I enjoy it and learn what it's all about it will be worth it...

Appreciate all the advice guys ! I feel more confident now I sorted those concerns out.

LowCel 

Have you done this before? If not then don't try it on race day no matter how much anyone says it helps. In the past I've tried things like this on race day that made me feel like I was going to puke or made me feel like I was going to have to stop and find a tree to hide behind the entire race.

As for the carbs you actually need them a couple days prior to the race, not the day of the race.

KeeganB1991

Good luck!