Bel Ray Round 1?

[Jay GTI]

Anyone else going? This is going to be my first ever race, I've done everything I can to be prepared (as per the cantrideforshit thread) but still feel massively under-prepared.

Plus all signs are pointing to it being a complete mud-fest... oh joy my first race and it will be on wet clay.

[takitimu]

I'd rather wet than dust myself, can't say I know to much about wet clay, but from what I've seen keep it smooth, look ahead & your finger on the clutch.

Enjoy , hope it goes well for you.

[Jay GTI]

I'd rather wet than dust myself, can't say I know to much about wet clay, but from what I've seen keep it smooth, look ahead & your finger on the clutch.

Enjoy , hope it goes well for you.

Cheers

Yeah I'd prefer nice, damp, tacky clay but if it's raining on the day (forecast to) it'll be like riding on ice. Still, being there's a VMX class, it has been intentionally kept sensible, rolling terrain etc.

Smooth, head up, cover the clutch... if I stay on the bike I'll be happy enough!

[raglanash]

Don't over think it bro. Just concentrate getting a good start, the rest will fall into place. Bel-ray is usually a hands on head dead engine shotgun start. Might want to practice a couple in the paddock beforehand, that's 90% of the race right there.
And good luck!

[Jay GTI]

Don't over think it bro. Just concentrate getting a good start, the rest will fall into place. Bel-ray is usually a hands on head dead engine shotgun start. Might want to practice a couple in the paddock beforehand, that's 90% of the race right there.
And good luck!

Cheers!

It's the nervousness that's making me a bit over the top. I know there's nothing to be nervous about, it's not like I've not ridden a dirt bike before, just race noob nerves.

The start is the least of my worries, I'm taking that part easy. I will just take the first loop nice and steady, get over my Icantrideforshitonthefirstloopitis, then find someone who is of similar pace to follow for the rest of the race. Not even remotely concerned where I will finish in the standings, I just want to experience a race.

[raglanash]

Haha good on you man, props for getting out there!
$5 says when that gun goes you forget about any plans you might have had and get caught in the hype.
A good shot of adrenaline and 100 nutters pinning it for the first corner with you might be just what you need for the cantrideforshitonthefirstloopitis..
Everyone tends to find their place/pace in the field after a couple of laps but don't just let everyone go off the start man, much easier to go backwards after a good start than push forward after a stink one. Having to come through the pack can be very frustrating and ruin a race. You should be sweet with that magic button on the KTM.

I would be there on the line with ya but doing the Vets MX champs. Make sure you put the Raglan ROCX 4 hour on the calender, 18th of Jan next year. Its a goody.

[Jay GTI]

Haha good on you man, props for getting out there!
$5 says when that gun goes you forget about any plans you might have had and get caught in the hype.
A good shot of adrenaline and 100 nutters pinning it for the first corner with you might be just what you need for the cantrideforshitonthefirstloopitis..
Everyone tends to find their place/pace in the field after a couple of laps but don't just let everyone go off the start man, much easier to go backwards after a good start than push forward after a stink one. Having to come through the pack can be very frustrating and ruin a race. You should be sweet with that magic button on the KTM.

I would be there on the line with ya but doing the Vets MX champs. Make sure you put the Raglan ROCX 4 hour on the calender, 18th of Jan next year. Its a goody.

Yep I will be bringing a window with me to throw my pre-race theories out of, as soon as the race starts. I guess that's what makes me the most nervous, wondering just what kind of idiot I'll become at the sound of that gun I'll give you the $5 now.

The magic button is definitely going to help, although makes using the "bike wouldn't fire" excuse for a poor start a little difficult.

Just also found out I'll be racing with (not in the same class as, obviously) Paul Whibley, Adrian Smith and Daryl Hurley. Eeek!

Yeah keen on the Raglan ROXC, should be my last opportunity to ride before I become a new Dad (from which point my racing career goes on hold).

[gwynfryn]

Magic button will only help if you can start in gear, the two smokers that started in second will be gooone.
Good luck and you know what they say " if you don't come off you aren't trying hard enough".
Well thats the excuse I use.

[Jay GTI]

Magic button will only help if you can start in gear, the two smokers that started in second will be gooone.
Good luck and you know what they say " if you don't come off you aren't trying hard enough".
Well thats the excuse I use.

Cheers for the good luck!

I can start in gear, so that shouldn't be an issue and I regularly try hard enough, so this race certainly won't be any different

[Crisis management]

Enjoy the racing, weather looks good and 2 hours is readily achievable. Drink lots of water before hand (starting now!) and get a good sleep tonight.
I think you're getting off lightly, I have to pedal a bloody bicycle around Taupo tomorrow, I'm going to kill my "mate" that talked me into it if I can catch him.

[Jay GTI]

Enjoy the racing, weather looks good and 2 hours is readily achievable. Drink lots of water before hand (starting now!) and get a good sleep tonight.
I think you're getting off lightly, I have to pedal a bloody bicycle around Taupo tomorrow, I'm going to kill my "mate" that talked me into it if I can catch him.

Yeah I'm definitely getting the easier of the two, sod cycling to Taupo! I hope your cycling shorts are double-padded...

Weather is looking pretty good, way better than was predicted earlier in the week. Will start making up my rehydration mix tonight, 2 hours is not much more than a big loop at some trail rides, so distance and time is fine, just I'll be resting less. Fun!

[Jay GTI]

Jesus H that was hard work. I managed the two hours without too much difficulty, seemed to be ok with arm pump and fatigue, but I made so many schoolboy errors that left me digging my bike out of places it shouldn't have been.

The track was tricky too, rolling hills and natural terrain... well it was natural, some pretty good climbs and decents, but nowhere I could really get comfortable and get a flow going. Ground was hard too, which didn't help.

Didn't come last, but wasn't far off it (134 out of 139). My ride buddy was last.

[andy 101]

At least you gave it a go and finished, I woke up with a stinking migrane and pulled out before I even got there.

[jimmy 2006]

Good stuff, as I said in your other thread that track in the dry I found tough. Just got beat up.
Now that you have had a race are you Gona chill out a bit? No point getting all worked up to fight it out for the wooden spoon. Do some more and just relax and try ride at an even pace. U'l probably come a lot higher up the feild.

Have you got the bug and entering another soon? Or is the race career over?

[Crisis management]

Well done finishing, first GNCC I had a go at almost killed me and I pulled out before finishing so your doing better than me. Sounds not too different to my cycling, just about killed me and almost came last!