Ok, taking the plunge - A n00b going XC racing

[Jman]

Awesome work outs man. I just don't know how you guys listen to the music when you ride. I end up totally distracted and either singing the song or counting the beat...1and2anduh3!

I found 2 things out after my first race...I dont suck nearly as bad as I thought I did but I still really suck!

Seriously though I'm using these races to see what its all about and figuring the fitness I have is the fitness I have. This summer is going to have a whole new goal for me....Podium in the next Winter Series!!!!!

Good luck and lookin' forward to that RR

[allison]

Originally Posted by Jman

Awesome work outs man. I just don't know how you guys listen to the music when you ride. I end up totally distracted and either singing the song or counting the beat...1and2anduh3!

I found 2 things out after my first race...I dont suck nearly as bad as I thought I did but I still really suck!

Seriously though I'm using these races to see what its all about and figuring the fitness I have is the fitness I have. This summer is going to have a whole new goal for me....Podium in the next Winter Series!!!!!

Good luck and lookin' forward to that RR

I really like listening to music. I don't usually turn it off, but I do only use a monaural bud. I probably have raced without music, but it helps me kind of lose myself so I don't entirely think of how much I am suffering the entire time.

[Jman]

Originally Posted by allison

I do only use a monaural bud.

Is this a special headset designed with only one side? One of the issues I've always had is that when you drop the one ear bud you lose some of the music.

[allison]

Originally Posted by Jman

Is this a special headset designed with only one side? One of the issues I've always had is that when you drop the one ear bud you lose some of the music.

Yeah, it's not in stereo, so all the sound comes out of one. Clearly for $4 it is NOT the best quality sound you will get, but it works for me I can carry on conversations, hear people ahead and behind me, hear the trail, etc.

[Jman]

For four bucks I might give it a shot!

[jschwart73]

What's your take on race organizers prohibiting listening devices of any sort?

I just started doing a little homework on the Novice 30-39 class pace - At the "warm up" race for this series, the Novices only did one 7 mile lap. 900' climbing over the lap, winner came in at just over 49 mins. The course has pavement and fire road flat sections, no sustained climbs, etc...

I think I can run that pace for two laps. We shall see! I'm getting excited, I dreamt about it last night. Weird.

[allison]

Originally Posted by jschwart73

What's your take on race organizers prohibiting listening devices of any sort?

I just started doing a little homework on the Novice 30-39 class pace - At the "warm up" race for this series, the Novices only did one 7 mile lap. 900' climbing over the lap, winner came in at just over 49 mins. The course has pavement and fire road flat sections, no sustained climbs, etc...

I think I can run that pace for two laps. We shall see! I'm getting excited, I dreamt about it last night. Weird.

The race I did at Bonelli was a USAC licensed race, and the chick that I battled with had two headphones in the entire time. I had thought it was against USAC rules to have headphones.

Donny hasn't said anything about it. I imagine it's never been an issue. I don't think many people listen to iPods. But, the only way I could see it being a problem would be if you couldn't communicate with other races (like they weren't hearing that you were coming around, etc). But, sometimes even when people aren't listening to anything they aren't paying attention.

I called "coming up through the middle" of two guys about 10-15ft apart at Counting Coup and the guy on the right turned directly into me and caused a nasty crash.

At Bonelli I called I was going around to one direction to a dad and his kid, and he told his kid which way to go, but the kid turned right where I was going anyway.

[Jman]

I really upset one rider at the last race. He called out but i didn't hear him and he had to go around me on that sandy section back by the houses. I felt really bad (even though the trail is like 5 feet wide there) but as he rode up on the next rider he called out nearly 50 yards away...no wonder I didn't hear him!!! I noticed one guy riding from my class at the first Southridge race who had both buds on and he couldn't hear anything. If more people do that Donny might have to do something!

[denmother]

My experience (from my last 3 XC races) is this:

1. 50% of the fast guys say nothing when they pass you.
2. 10% of the remaining 50% will actually go the way they call out ie "On your left".
3. the other 40% will call out and then go on the opposite side of you (this is based on the fact that people being passed tend to go the direction the passer calls out).

I have learned, hold your path and let them go around whichever side they chose to!!!!

P.S. Never go down the middle!!!

[allison]

Originally Posted by denmother

My experience (from my last 3 XC races) is this:

1. 50% of the fast guys say nothing when they pass you.

DDiamond said, "Are you Allison?" then he blazed by on the left off trail

The really fast guys (expert/pro racing for money/sponsors, etc.) they will find a way to go around you no matter what. Typically they call out (even if on a fire road, I've found).

If *I* want to pass, and it's unsafe to do so, I usually say, "Can I pass at the next spot, around the next turn, when possible?" If there is plenty of room to go around, I don't say anything.

[davidB]

the few times I've passed someone and the many times I've been passed by the pros, it seems to be hit or miss as to what really happens vs what's being said. If I hear them coming and they're on my ass, i just tell them what side to pass on if they haven't said a thing. It is however, a little victory every time I get to pass someone.

[D. Diamond]

Originally Posted by davidB

the few times I've passed someone and the many times I've been passed by the pros, it seems to be hit or miss as to what really happens vs what's being said. If I hear them coming and they're on my ass, i just tell them what side to pass on if they haven't said a thing. It is however, a little victory every time I get to pass someone.

+1.

I just hope that at the end of the race I haven't made anyone mad at me, LOL.

Everyone's oxygen deprived and things are happening pretty fast so if someone does something stupid (especially if it's me ) it's good for everyone to remember that most MTBers are nice people and they probably didn't do it on purpose.

[S54MCoupe]

I just did my first MTB race this last Saturday at Southridge. I race XC, and take my advice for what it's worth, since I lack experience.

1. Have fun.
2. Race as soon as possible, and have fun while doing so.
3. Don't get discouraged, especialy by sandbaggers. Let those who's pathetic egos need to be stroked have thier wins in the lower levels and wait for the day when you can yell at them to get out of the way and let you pass. They only hurt themselves and their own fitness by sandbagging.
4. Have fun... if you're having fun, your training will be easier and you'll stay motivated much easier.

[jschwart73]

Spent some time at the LBS today, did a full fitting on Stumpy - I was pretty close on seat position front to rear, but I was a bit off on the seat height and pedal cleat position. He also recommended a new, slightly shorter stem to shorten up the riding position. I also had set sag in my fork and shock when I was 20 lbs heavier than I am now, so we reset both of those, taking a bit of air pressure out of both.

I skipped buying a new stem (I know you're shocked that I didn't buy something Allison!), I haven't been uncomfortable at all on the bike, so I'll leave it.

Picked up some Sport Legs while I was there, I haven't heard one person say something bad about them yet, so I'll give that a try as well.

Finished doing the buildup on my buddies Kona The King last night (bike turned out very nice!), but I can't seem to convince him to come out and race with me on Sunday...

Gonna go to the REI loft sale tomorrow AM and pick up a trainer - Both the wife and I want one and it'll be nice to have at the race if it's raining, so I can warm up and stay dry...

[allison]

Originally Posted by jschwart73

Gonna go to the REI loft sale tomorrow AM and pick up a trainer - Both the wife and I want one and it'll be nice to have at the race if it's raining, so I can warm up and stay dry...

Race is Sunday, right? Can't wait to read the race report!!

Just remember to race your own race (at least for the first time) and have fun Oh, and don't let 'em hack you!




(SportLegs - I take two [suggested for my body weight] like 1-1.5hrs before, then take them after the race also.)

[Pho'dUp]

Goodluck sunday. On a short race like this, I can't think of anything but this. You DON'T have to give up the good line on a climb. If somebody wants to pass you and there's room and you have the good line. Make them work for it.

Have fun!

[allison]

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

Goodluck sunday. On a short race like this, I can't think of anything but this. You DON'T have to give up the good line on a climb. If somebody wants to pass you and there's room and you have the good line. Make them work for it.

Have fun!

Totally agreed. My opinion is actually that if someone is faster and wants to go around you, they should be a good enough rider to make a clean pass.

[D. Diamond]

^^ I am not disagreeing, but I have been in both situations and in my opinion if you have the attitude that you'll win by slowing someone else down (and you might even be right, racing is racing after all), you may end up forcing them to make a bad pass and if one or both of you crash you'll have no one to blame but yourself.