xc race tips

[ali-s]

In a moment of over stimulation () i've only gone and entered the up and coming honda xc race at maddix pk on the 31 march - this will be my first competetive m/c race ( done a bunch of trail riding and raced lots of downhill/xc mtb). will be in the super() vets 45+ class, the mrs is busy that day so will have no pit crew etc. any advice that could maybe help me out/save me making some rookie clangers would be appreciated.
Cheers
AL

[jimmy 2006]

i was always told, take your time in the pits and don't stress yourself out. have a bite to eat and a good drink as you fill up. 30sec, maintaining your body can have make a massive difference onceback out on the track....... ? having said that i still suck at xc!

[scott411]

mkae sure you drink plenty of water in the days leading up to it,
and make sure you have a good feed before you start, you will notcie a lot of the top guys will be eating something liked creamed rice during riders breifing, make sure you set up to have water when you stop for gas, and some food is good as well,

[cheese]

Carb it up! you can get carbo shots and shit like that from nutrition shops. I cranked up the old V and E2 for the T100, If I'd just got carbo load it would be better.

How far is teh race?

[Ktmboy]

About 5 bottles of Red Bull and 4 Voltarins does the trick for me.

Makes you go like shit for the first hour and if you fall off then you don't feel any pain.

[jimmy 2006]

fark thats a dangerous combo ktmboy!!!

[Danger]

Warm up before the start, try to get a ride in if you can.
Place a rubber band over the front of your seat and tuck a small off cut of damp chamois to clean your goggles with under it.
If they give you a wrist band for live timing tape it to the outside of your jersey so you don't struggle to get it to read when being scanned.
At the start expect the congestion to be bad in the first corner so aim to go wide.
Don't try to win the race in the first 20 minutes, relax and ride smooth and stay out of oxygen debt.
Not sure how long your race is but if its 3-4 hours try to split the ridding time equally between sitting and standing. If you usually stand most of the time start practicing riding sitting or vice versa before the event.
When standing try not to bend at the knees too much. This will only tire your legs out. Try to ride with a reasonably straight leg but not locked at the knee.
Try to scope out the trail ahead and be creative with your lines. 90% of people only use 10% of the trail. Only 10% of the riders will use 90% of the trail. Try to be in that 10%.
If you get stuck on something, try to get out with one 100% effort. A maximum effort 1st up will be less tiring and you will recover quicker than having 2 or 3 75% efforts.
Expect your tire pressure to increase 2-3psi. Start with the tire pressure a little below what you want to run with. Be prepared to back of a bit if there are sharp rocks some where on the course. A puncture costs a lot of time.
Try to ride smooth and well within your limits. Going too fast and falling will burn your energy faster than anything else. You will be faster over the length of the race if you ride smooth while others are fading.
Momentum is your friend. Use it to cross logs, climb hills, through bogs etc.
If stuck behind a slower rider, back of a bit and try not to follow his lines. Look ahead and if you see an opportunity where the trail widens enough increase your speed, close the gap and then blow right by.
Have fun.

[Reckless]

Thats bloody good advice as usual DANGER!!!
I'm gonna copy and paste that for a reminder later. No copyright on that is there???

Oh and one more thing on a lighter note to help ali_s !!!!

Tie a pic of your favourite Centerfold (pref bent over from behind) to a stick. Tape that over top of your helmet so it dangles about 500mm in front of your googles------- Now just GO GET HER!!!!!!!


HAHA have a good ride!

[jimmy 2006]

for that one, best advice yet.

[crazyxr250rider]

Thats bloody good advice as usual DANGER!!!
I'm gonna copy and paste that for a reminder later. No copyright on that is there???

Oh and one more thing on a lighter note to help ali_s !!!!

Tie a pic of your favourite Centerfold (pref bent over from behind) to a stick. Tape that over top of your helmet so it dangles about 500mm in front of your googles------- Now just GO GET HER!!!!!!!


HAHA have a good ride!

Bling!!

[FROSTY:Me]

its simple
Remind yaself at the start--"im doin this for FUN
Relax and enjoy yaself.

[Reckless]

its simple
Remind yaself at the start--"im doin this for FUN
Relax and enjoy yaself.

Same thing as when you take a fat chick home!!

[ali-s]

hahahaha - big churs for the advice all - i'm compiling my shopping list for the event right now:

pasta
pot noodles
x-large camelback
mars bars
V
red bull (in case the V don't work)
voltarin
nurofen ( in case the voltarin don't work)
penthouse
hustler (in case the penthouse don't work)
rice pudding
tapioca ( in case.......well u get by now)
more tear offs
chamois leather (in c...........)
tyre pressure gauge

all this plus gas, oil, entry fee
+ copy paste and print + laminate all this stuff and tape it to van window

awesome

[Reckless]

Aaahaa!! Sounds like the peeeerfect day to me!!!!

[Ktmboy]

Reckless, you're on fire tonight!!! Beautiful.

Back to the thread. This race should be about 2-3 hours. The KLX will only need one fuel stop, I think you even have a reserve for emergency.
How many stops you need is another matter however. Don't waste time in the pits. Slip(on a new pair of goggles) slop(fuel in the tank) slap(a half banana into the gob) rule here. In and out as soooo much time can be wasted in the pits.

This track from memory is quite short and lap times are around 20mins. Fluid fluid fluid as posted by the others to stop the dehydration. I also use "Replace" in my camel back to put some electro lights back into the system.

Have fun and never ever give up!

"Failure is not an option"