19 Great Tips On Mountain Bike Events for Beginners

Tips on mountain bike events for beginners will help you to say on track. Mountain bike races may be a terrific way to ride an area of the countryside you wouldn't ordinarily be able to reach and offer a chance to connect with others who share your interests. While participating in your first event can seem a little intimidating, be assured that there will be lots of support and other first-timers there.

You succeeded. You've signed up for your first mountain bike race, and you're starting to feel a little uneasy about your decision. Relax. Yes, your first race's starting line might be a little daunting, but you don't have to show there unprepared. Your first mountain bike race will be a success if you follow these nine advices.

19 Great Tips On Mountain Bike Events for Beginners

I've compiled 19 suggestions for riding your first race based on my own riding and support crew experience. If you remember these, you'll not only finish the marathon but also have fun doing it.

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1. Make a training schedule and follow it.

Although you are not REQUIRED to train for a race, you will have a lot better time if you do. You may take this as lightly or seriously as you'd like. Getting out to ride three times a week and mixing in some intervals may count as "training" for your first mountain bike race, or it could be more involved like hiring a coach.

Make sure you put in some HARDY work, whatever you decide to accomplish. The more you can do to get your body ready for a race, the better because you'll be surprised at how hard you push yourself.

2. Practice eating and drinking quickly.

During the race, you'll undoubtedly need to hydrate, and depending on how long it is, you could also need to consume some calories. Practice this beforehand because most of us aren't used to eating and drinking while riding at race pace. To save weight, most racers use bottles rather than hydration packs, but you should do whatever seems most comfortable to you.

If your mountain bike race lasts more than an hour, you should probably bring some calories that are simple to consume and digest. This can come in the shape of a gel, some Shot Blocks*, or a sports drink like Hammer Heed. Calories can be kept in a jersey pocket or taped to the bike's top tube. To avoid having to deal with opening the box while riding, if you're going to consume something like Shot Blocks, cut open the packet beforehand.

3. Ride the course before.

Pre-riding the route is one of the most effective things you can do (even more than once). You may practice technical passages, identify broad locations that will be ideal for passing, and develop your confidence by doing this.

4. Passing drills.

Passing is one of the most challenging things for novice racers, particularly for women who often behave more civilly than males on the racing course. Prior to the event, get a mountain bike friend or partner to practice passing with you. Search for a safe passing spot before yelling "passing on your right" or "passing on your left" (although you should generally try to pass on the left).

Practice letting your friend pass you after that. Don't leave the trail and stop as you would on a trail ride. To make the pass as safe as possible for both you and the other rider, instead SLOW DOWN SLIGHTLY and go to the side of the track.

5. Be sure to arrive at the location well in advance of the race.

Being late or feeling pressured at the starting line is the very last thing you want. By getting there early, you'll have enough time to prepare your meal, affix your license plate, check your tire pressure, and stand in line for the porta potties.

6. Before your race, warm up.

Before proceeding to the starting line, spend some time warming up. Your warmup should ideally last between 10 and 15 minutes and end as soon as the race is scheduled to start. Spinning for the first five minutes should be easy, followed by some stronger attempts and a few intervals at race speed.

7. Perfect your pre-race diet.

A typical lunch should be had around three hours before the event. This shouldn't be anything novel or unusual; rather, it should be something you often eat before a bike ride. Good options include yogurt with granola, oatmeal, or eggs on toast.

Have one last (light) snack around 30 minutes before to the start of your event. This may be a banana, a gel, or anything similar that you like the taste of and will provide a small boost for you.

8. Keep from burning all of your matches too soon.

Races begin VERY quickly. really quickly You might not want to kill yourself straight away if you don't believe you can genuinely win or place. The action will ease down a bit after everyone is seated. It is quite simple to push yourself too hard too early in your first race and blow up before you've even reached the halfway point. Arrive early for the race.

9. Don't stress about coming in last.

I've completed a lot of races on the podium and a lot of races in the bottom three as well. Finishing in the rear of the group is not quite as horrible as you might imagine. People who ride mountain bikes are popular with mountain bike racers. Even if you come in last, people will appreciate you for not being like the other 99.9% of people lounging on the couch at home.

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Great Tips On Mountain Bike Events for Beginners: A Takeaway

Try to practice in areas with comparable topography and weather to what you may encounter on race day.

To provide time for any significant repairs, get your bike serviced at least a few weeks before the event. You don't want to squander all of your preparation by having a preventable gear breakdown on the big day, and you can't expect bike shops to finish a big task with just a few days' notice.

Make sure your bike is configured appropriately for you. Sports physiologists and bike shops can assist with this. Riding an unfit bike at a high rate of intensity for an extended period of time can result in back or leg issues from which you'll need time to heal.

Start consuming energy snacks and beverages throughout workouts to get your body habituated to them, including recovery formula. On the day of the event, don't start utilizing a brand-new item from one of the onsite sponsors. Your body might respond poorly since it's not acclimated to it.

Use chamoix lotion or vaseline for longer rides to prevent chafing. A buddy of mine goes by the motto "if it moves, it's it!"

Set up a fantastic support team to assist you with preparation, to yell your head out during the race, and to help you recuperate when it is finished.

Make sure you are on the proper path and don't rely on individuals who are traveling ahead of you to make the correct turns.

Don't be tempted to race ahead of the pros off the starting line; instead, ride at your own pace. Additionally, in any tricky portions, bike to your own abilities.

You never know when you might need the assistance of your other riders, so have fun, smile a lot, and chat with them!