Getting started in DH racing

[Gripper]

Yeah, no doubt this has been covered before, but the difference here is I'm not a grom...........

I'd like to give it a go, just for some fun and being plenty on the wrong side of 30, have my doubts if this is a good idea.....or even foolhardy.

Is there a class of DH for someone like me? are there many oldies still doing what looks to be a very youth orientated sport.

What's the process to compete..... club/licence/joining fee's........

BTW have been riding all my life even DH on my BMX back in the early 80's...... before there were MTBikes

Thanks and please don't laugh

[scblack]

When you're over 30, DH is not that cut-throat, no matter whhether you're at a National, or a club race. You'll be in Masters class, you don't necessarily need a club licence, you can get day-licences, which will cost $15 per day this year I believe. So you can just turn up for the day and ride. Need FF helmet and gloves is all per regulations I'm sure.

I started DH racing when I was 33, so just give it a go. And it has improved my riding HEAPS too. Just seeing the good riders, their lines, body language, a bit of everything helps.

And there is no ego too much at any DH race, so don't think people will be dissing you - that just doesn't happen.

Gripper, I'm 35 and loving it - give it a go. :D

[demo man]

yeah man, there's no reason why you can't!

there are two ways to start,

1. go to your bike shop and ask where/when the next race is and go check it out, you can get a day license for around 10 bucks plus race entry. even just go without a bike to sus it all out.

2. get in touch with your local club! AMB mags have club listings in them so find your local and check out the race dates and become a member.

as for catogories, yeah there is one called masters that's aimed at the middle-aged bracket.

try and pick a track you've been to before, it just makes it a little easier because that's one less thing to worry about. but if you can't help it just get to the track a little earlier and do some practice runs in the morning.

racing is a lot of fun, and as long as you don't get all worked up and nervous you can improove your riding heaps. plus you'll meet tons of new people and make plenty of new freinds. you will also learn more about bikes, as those needy repaires on race day from that practice session crash can lead to a freindly local teaching you some cool tricks.

Enjoy it! :D

[cam-o]

Jump in son! Vets (30+) and Masters (40+) have a pretty healthy turnout at most club rounds, and there's shitloads of us at the big races.
It's a good category as there's still plenty of dudes going fast but the care factor is much lower than those whippersnappers, making the fun factor through the roof.

[bradmc]

Just rode my first DH race at this years Nationals at Lithgow. I entered the masters catergory and had heaps of fun. I entered on the day, had a few practice runs, never took a B line and pretty much nailed the course until i crashed on my race run. I got back on the bike to the sound of cheers from the spectators at the rock garden and finished my run a minute + worse then my best.

It took a week for my ribs to recover, made the crash footage on SBS's Cycling Central, but i will be at the next DH meet, no worries. I had a blast.

Oh yeah, about improving your riding by watching guys at the Nationals go about their business. I now jump bigger and ride faster over rough ground then my regular riding buddies.

Give it a go....you will have a blast.

[jeremyb]

I'm 31 and just started DH along with my wife, get involved with your local club and get to know people and you should be sweet :)

[MikeyP]

Definitely give it a go man - and I'd agree you'd be best off checkin it out first without a bike.

Best would be to find a smaller, local club that races monthly or somethin like that - you'll find everything there and will feel more comfortable.

Last race I checked out (doin exactly what you are) there were all sorts of bikes from cheap hard tail to way top-end (even one all mountain/cross country bike on the DH course!).

Best I've ever seen - very impressed - was a dad & really young kid. Kid was racing, dad was there just for support and followed down right behind him to give him tips and pick him up if/when he crashed. Cudos to whoever that was!

Tip for when you get up the courage to race - the fastest line isn't always over the big jumps, drops, etc. Watch close, and you'll see a lot of the top finishers goin around stuff if they can....

[udi]

Dude... gripper... you've set up the sweetest dh bike ever, don't give me none of that trailriding crap, vp-free, 888's, lowriders, m4's, come on...... it would be a SIN if you didn't go rip up some DH tracks.

Who cares how old you are or how good you are, give it a few runs and you'll be lovin it. Go son. :p