tips for first xc race

[Rexy]

im going to do a xc race and ive never done one before im 14 and do some xc riding as well as djs and other stuff i noticed a xc race on and just said im gonna do it as i do some xc riding and enjoy it what class would be best any tips hints anything is good
cheers :D

[matty_2004]

Remember it's only for fun and don't take it all too serious or you might get turned off racing and never try again, just make sure you enjoy yourself.

Another thing that i've found before going on long XC rides, eat breakfast before you go or you'll feel sick and have no energy in no time, therefore you'll end up either stopping or chucking your guts up half way around.

Make sure your geats are running smoothly or that can end up quite frustrating.

I'm not saying you have to wear lycra, but atleast don't wear baggy clothes, especially if it's windy.

Have fun dude.

[kitakishi]

race at your own pace..... don't go out hardcore at the start. Make sure you know what the weather will be like.... if its really hot etc pace yourself on that.

Your young and should be full of energy so have fun. meet other racers and enjoy.

[Grover]

regarding classes it would be between U/15 and fun (if the club runs that class). in U/15 there are a few freaks so if your not excellent don't get scared off. Fun class usually doesn't do the whole course, there is a modified course and the race is usually only about half an hour. No age restricions.

[Mugger]

I paced myself to fast adn ran out of enerygy on the race, so pace yourself to have energy for the end of the race...

[Senna]

If your regular rides are more than 20km a few times a week I would suggest racing in the Sport class as that way at least you get a decent race as opposed to Fun/Recreational and U15.

U15 is pretty much a one lap screamer, which as a novice racer is unlikely to suit and also is pretty crap from a bang for your bucks perspective.

The most important thing is to treat the race as fun and a new experience. That way if you come last, so what, and if you do well then you are stoked as you achieved more than you expected.

I remember my first State Round with 40 riders in Sport Class and my mate and I were stoked that we finished in the top 20! Of course nowadays you don't get such big fields. If you get into it racing is a good reason to train and ride as it gives you a benchmark and something to work towards, even if it is just to move up from 25th to 20th to 15th to cracking the top 10 over the course of a year.

This year I raced the National Series in Sport and because I did well at Yarramundi I decided to do the second round at Whittlesea and it snowballed from there. I ended up finishing second at Fellcrag and Mt Buller for second in the series...if you had of told me I'd do that well at the start of the series I'd have said you were smoking something.

I just treated it as fun and a chance to ride and see new places, meet other riders. That is what is so cool about racing (don't let anyone tell you XC racers are snobs, sure the pros might keep to themselves but once they see you at a few races they will say good day).

Now I am racing Expert in the State Series with the knowledge I'll never get near the podium unless I quit working and spend all day training, but I love the challenge of 40km/2hour races.

If you get a chance do a practice lap of the course to help settle the nerves a bit and assess any potential technical sections for the best line, the risk of pinchflats etc. On that subject carry a pump and a spare tube and spare chain links and chain breaker. Even if it is only a short race there is nothing worse than being a non-finisher due to a mechanical, especially in your first race.

Oh and stretch before your race, do a warm down after, then stretch and replenish your fluids.

Don't be afraid to ride the day before your race or do the practice lap on race morning, just don't do a hard one as you want to simply stretch your legs so to speak.

Cheers,
Senna

[Fat_Ride]

XC Race... hmmmmm lets see,

I would suggest not doing it!!
You would have a lot more fun punching down a DH track!!!! and afterward, instead of icing up your shaved calves and sipping on a muscle revitalising suplement you could just scrape the dried blood off your shins and head home to raid your dads beer fridge, get drunk, then when you wake the next day at 1pm with a tough headache drop another VB and head to the top of the mountain again for another couple of DH runs!!!

[SPyX]

At thredbo I had chances to practice the course before hand.

A suggestion for gravel uphills. Keep your weight on your seat if you can help it. Otherwise your tyre slips and slips and slips until you run out of energy. Oh and remember, uphills are very different to downhills - you can gun an uphill but chances are you'll run out of energy close to the top. The best thing to do is go in gear 1/3 or even 1/2 or even granny gear if you must! To get up those hills.

I had lots of really good riders in my race. Mungus was one, Garry was another (Garry 1st, Mungus 2nd), the best thing to do is just be happy for their performance, and just try harder each race. The reason they're good, is because of lots of practice and experience. They wouldn't have come first all the time, so just chill, give it ago, and enjoy :)

[Mugger]

A suggestion for gravel uphills. Keep your weight on your seat if you can help it. Otherwise your tyre slips and slips and slips until you run out of energy. Oh and remember, uphills are very different to downhills - you can gun an uphill but chances are you'll run out of energy close to the top. The best thing to do is go in gear 1/3 or even 1/2 or even granny gear if you must! To get up those hills.

So when going up gravel hills just stand up a touch but still try and have your ass on the seat?

[luckyphil]

u guys are talking about running out of energy half way through a race is known as "bonking". basically u didnt prepare for the race as well as you sohuld have. u need to eat carbohydrates the night before (pasta, cliche i know), and have a solid breakfast, but at least a couple of hours before the race. also, dont eat meat before hand. go for a ten minute ride before the race and stretch for at least 10 minutes. buy some fucken knicks, you'll thank me after about 5 minutes. take a multi tool, a tube and some tire levers. at least then if u come last u know that you suck.

[Rexy]

ok i ride in sand so any gravel riding tips are good as thats what the race is on. i wont wear really baggy shorts but im not buying knicks! how many water bottles do you carry?should i wear a pack to put all the stuff in? and as for the dh thing i plan to do dh as well as xc i might not be the best at one but its all about fun because thats why we do it. should i put my fallties back on or are motocross bars fine (yes motocross), so pace yourself ok ill keep that in mind! ive done a 41km ride so the distance should be fine, ah what armour should i wear ive got the lot open helmet im wearing should i wear my shinnies?obviously i wont need body armour or nothing well ill keep you updated the race is on the 28th at jarrahdale perth anyone else going i just hope transport is ok my dad said hell take me so it should be fine, cheers for all the help

[luckyphil]

lol, i would recommend normal helmet, GLOVES, and no armour.
drink bottles? maybe get a camelback (or similar), but if not, it depends on the weather how much water u take. better too much than too little tho.
might be a good idea to drink some sort of energy drink AS WELL as water, and maybe eat an "energy bar" before hand, even if your a scpetic, it cant hurt...

[Gonzo]

A basic rule for water is that you will neede about 1 bottle per hour of riding. That will change depending on the conditions and all but it is a good place to start.

[luckyphil]

Make sure your geats are running smoothly or that can end up quite frustrating.

or dont have any!
SS PRIDE!!! :lol:

[Rexy]

ah i better fix me gears pretty soon stuff single speed now ive got a derauiler im never touching a damn single speed again :D yeah forgot about gloves so no shin knee guards hey?yes must get powerbars from lbs thanks again for help and keep it rolling in!

[Rexy]

ok shit i just mixed up the date of the race i was going to attend with the state xc round so i might attend that if the location isnt to far away any perth boys know where northcliffe is? would my flat bars be worth putting on instead of my motocross bars?

[luckyphil]

yes. if u can be bothered..

[Emmett]

XC Race... hmmmmm lets see,

I would suggest not doing it!!
You would have a lot more fun punching down a DH track!!!! and afterward, instead of icing up your shaved calves and sipping on a muscle revitalising suplement you could just scrape the dried blood off your shins and head home to raid your dads beer fridge, get drunk, then when you wake the next day at 1pm with a tough headache drop another VB and head to the top of the mountain again for another couple of DH runs!!!

Very useful reply... :roll:

[junior]

hey rexy, i've raced sum XC races and theres no point takin food and water (take water if hot) cause the races are 8km most or sum thing and usally only go for about 40mins.
just have fun and dont go to hard in your first race just see wat its like and injoy it.

PS. make sure u eat before your race, cause i didnt eat and was sick as matty 2004 said and it was'nt to good :?

[junior]

ah i better fix me gears pretty soon stuff single speed now ive got a derauiler im never touching a damn single speed again :D yeah forgot about gloves so no shin knee guards hey?yes must get powerbars from lbs thanks again for help and keep it rolling in!

wat ever u do dont get power bars. THERE SHIT HOUSE. u will be riding the whole race eating 1. take a fruit bar or sum thing. sumthing easy to eat.

and there not recomended for ages 15 and under.

[Rexy]

really arent they reccomended for ages 15 and under? why not?ive heard that they are yummy and you eat them before you need to :D

[junior]

they taste like shit and its not worth wasting 5 bucks on them.
i dont know why there not recomended for ages under 15 but there crap.
i used to eat them afair bit until i found jelly beans and bannas :P

[LordNikon]

I find that lollies give too much of a short term "sugar rush". Powerbars and gels tend to work better for me.

My advice would be to try whatever's out there and find what's best for you.

[junior]

I find that lollies give too much of a short term "sugar rush". Powerbars and gels tend to work better for me.

My advice would be to try whatever's out there and find what's best for you.

yeah i find that abit wit lollies. i just got a thing against power bars, the gels are ok (they go down quick) :P

[SPyX]

A suggestion for gravel uphills. Keep your weight on your seat if you can help it. Otherwise your tyre slips and slips and slips until you run out of energy. Oh and remember, uphills are very different to downhills - you can gun an uphill but chances are you'll run out of energy close to the top. The best thing to do is go in gear 1/3 or even 1/2 or even granny gear if you must! To get up those hills.

So when going up gravel hills just stand up a touch but still try and have your ass on the seat?

Pretty much. Having your weight on your seat means the rear tyre has more grip with the ground. After you ride a gravel road, you praise plain dirt or grass!

[Rexy]

that sounds hard bum on seat and in the air at the same time! i hate gravel it so hard to ride on i love my grass and dirt gravel hills are the worst. jellybeans huh i dont think i would have any left by the start of the race thats no good!