I may be riding my first race tomorrow at Tsali, NC. They're the best trails to start on since it's pretty easy riding. Does anyone have racing experience? I've only been riding a little over a year and to me the "Women's Beginners" means that we're all a little green out there on the trail...not just green at racing. That's what I'm hoping any way. I maybe under estimating my skill on the trail, but, but...I think I'm nervous. I don't really care about winning. I guess I care about things like crashing, having to carry my bike out for some crazy reason, coming out of the woods a half hour after anyone else...I haven't a clue what to expect except that I've ridden the same trail (long before I started to improve) in the opposite direction that the race will be ridden. Maybe I'm a little nervous about riding with other women. When all I've done is ride behind the guys, there's an acceptable reason to be last...but more so, I'm not sure I know more than one other gal on the trail around here.

Any words of advice besides, only race against yourself and relax?

Breath...

Have fun and look at it as a learning experience. Once you learn what racing is about, you can better decide if it's for you.

Any words of advice besides, only race against yourself and relax?I used to do some races, it was great fun. You've got the right idea - just do your best and try to stay relaxed. And don't get too hyped and go out too fast at the beginning of the race. You need to know your abilities and try to pace yourself.

Good luck!

Spike

I may be riding my first race tomorrow at Tsali, NC. They're the best trails to start on since it's pretty easy riding. Does anyone have racing experience? I've only been riding a little over a year and to me the "Women's Beginners" means that we're all a little green out there on the trail...not just green at racing. That's what I'm hoping any way. I maybe under estimating my skill on the trail, but, but...I think I'm nervous. I don't really care about winning. I guess I care about things like crashing, having to carry my bike out for some crazy reason, coming out of the woods a half hour after anyone else...I haven't a clue what to expect except that I've ridden the same trail (long before I started to improve) in the opposite direction that the race will be ridden. Maybe I'm a little nervous about riding with other women. When all I've done is ride behind the guys, there's an acceptable reason to be last...but more so, I'm not sure I know more than one other gal on the trail around here.

Any words of advice besides, only race against yourself and relax?

The biggest ovation from the crowds usually is for the competitor who carries their bike and all it's pieces over the finish line. So I'd like to suggest that you just chill and set your goal at finishing. Ride within your established abilities, ride smart and smoothly with riders who will be passing you, and enjoy a path without hikers or equestrians.
After you've finished the race you'll have more questions but they'll be based upon your racing experience and not just pre-race jitters.
Have fun!

How'd the race go?
I got into the thread too late to give you any of my worthless advice.

I was clicking here for an update as well!

I raced in the girls beginner wave. There were 15 of us, all pretty fit looking and on decent bikes. I was intimidated by two girls in Velo jersey's at the start, but the cold weather covered up and nervious shivers I was having. I had the best oatmeal/dates/almonds/coconut/walnut/chocolate chip breakfast and spent probably 20 minutes on a hard warm up. I've learned I ride significantly better after 20 minutes or 8 road miles.

Race was off and my new frog cleats were still stiff and giving me trouble. Both feet left the pedals at the same time and I fell to almost last in line. There was a 1/2 mile of fire road before single track. I was able to pass a few with my burst of adrenaline but was still a ways behind. Three girls were out of site in no time and I was stuck riding closer behind a line of girls than I was comfortable. It was down hill for quite some time but as soon as the trail went up the line of girls fell apart, one girl was walking around a curve, another rode off the side of the trail into slow brush. One by one, they were behind me, but three girls remained out of site.

They started us off after the 10-13 y.o. boys. It was a bit of an ego boost to have to pass each of them along the trail. It speeds me up if I'm on the chase, even if it's a little guy. I was riding some things better than the day before when we'd scouted the track, and some things I blew hard but kept moving on foot until I could recover.

Tsali is fast fast fast smooth single track and (as I'd riden too hard the day before) was taken away by the exciting smooth ride. I've been riding Pisgah lately which is usually 30% hiking and slow in the saddle. It was exhilerating being able to ride fast and ride in a race. Before 3/4 of the race was over (15 miles total) I was told I was in second and starting to pass the weary older men's division. (Those guys are wider and harder to pass. One of them about bumped me down the hill trying to let me pass).

Riding the trail the day before made a 100% difference on the race. I was able to confidently be in bigger gears and do some stream crossings with less hestitation and more splash. I decended faster than any other time I've ridden just because I was so focused on going faster that I didn't notice the little things that usually throw me aroundas much.

I caught up to the girl in front within three miles of the finish, but her experience on the bike showed. We had a tough stream crossing that I'd practiced several times the day before. We both crossed fine but she was in too big of a gear to climb the bank on the other side. I rubbed her tire and had to run it behind her. I'm still really slow to start from a walk and I lost her getting back on. I never saw her again...finished 3 minutes behind her. I also could have used a gel mid-way but couldn't get it open enough to eat any of it.

I think second is bad-ass for my first race and I think I grossly underestimated my cycling ability. I don't think I should have been in next class up of girls, but I bet it won't be long. I started strong and finished strong. I came in at 91 minutes and I was likely above my maximum heart rate several times. :)

I guess it helps that I ride with a singlespeeder where his only speed is fast. All I can do is chase and feel slow, but when I was teamed with other gals, I was fast. Besides it being a race, it was probably the best ride I've ever had on a mountain bike, and it's a great feeling when race day and best day coincide. :)

Thanks for your suggestions everyone. Another person's suggestion that was given to me also was to "stay off your break" which helped immensely on my descents.

CONGRATULATIONS! Nice job!!!!

I'm racing in a few weeks and I'm not fast, but then again Sea otter is more like a parade than a fast race because there are so many people. Well that's what I'm telling myself to keep down the nervous nauseous feeling I get when I think about it. Gah. ;)

I raced in the girls beginner wave. There were 15 of us, all pretty fit looking and on decent bikes. I was intimidated by two girls in Velo jersey's at the start, but the cold weather covered up and nervious shivers I was having. I had the best oatmeal/dates/almonds/coconut/walnut/chocolate chip breakfast and spent probably 20 minutes on a hard warm up. I've learned I ride significantly better after 20 minutes or 8 road miles.

Race was off and my new frog cleats were still stiff and giving me trouble. Both feet left the pedals at the same time and I fell to almost last in line. There was a 1/2 mile of fire road before single track. I was able to pass a few with my burst of adrenaline but was still a ways behind. Three girls were out of site in no time and I was stuck riding closer behind a line of girls than I was comfortable. It was down hill for quite some time but as soon as the trail went up the line of girls fell apart, one girl was walking around a curve, another rode off the side of the trail into slow brush. One by one, they were behind me, but three girls remained out of site.

They started us off after the 10-13 y.o. boys. It was a bit of an ego boost to have to pass each of them along the trail. It speeds me up if I'm on the chase, even if it's a little guy. I was riding some things better than the day before when we'd scouted the track, and some things I blew hard but kept moving on foot until I could recover.

Tsali is fast fast fast smooth single track and (as I'd riden too hard the day before) was taken away by the exciting smooth ride. I've been riding Pisgah lately which is usually 30% hiking and slow in the saddle. It was exhilerating being able to ride fast and ride in a race. Before 3/4 of the race was over (15 miles total) I was told I was in second and starting to pass the weary older men's division. (Those guys are wider and harder to pass. One of them about bumped me down the hill trying to let me pass).

Riding the trail the day before made a 100% difference on the race. I was able to confidently be in bigger gears and do some stream crossings with less hestitation and more splash. I decended faster than any other time I've ridden just because I was so focused on going faster that I didn't notice the little things that usually throw me aroundas much.

I caught up to the girl in front within three miles of the finish, but her experience on the bike showed. We had a tough stream crossing that I'd practiced several times the day before. We both crossed fine but she was in too big of a gear to climb the bank on the other side. I rubbed her tire and had to run it behind her. I'm still really slow to start from a walk and I lost her getting back on. I never saw her again...finished 3 minutes behind her. I also could have used a gel mid-way but couldn't get it open enough to eat any of it.

I think second is bad-ass for my first race and I think I grossly underestimated my cycling ability. I don't think I should have been in next class up of girls, but I bet it won't be long. I started strong and finished strong. I came in at 91 minutes and I was likely above my maximum heart rate several times. :)

I guess it helps that I ride with a singlespeeder where his only speed is fast. All I can do is chase and feel slow, but when I was teamed with other gals, I was fast. Besides it being a race, it was probably the best ride I've ever had on a mountain bike, and it's a great feeling when race day and best day coincide. :)

Thanks for your suggestions everyone. Another person's suggestion that was given to me also was to "stay off your break" which helped immensely on my descents.

Congrats! Sounds like you've been bitten by the racing bug.

Wow! That's excellent! Congratulations on placing 2nd in your first race! Great write-up, too :) Sounds so exhilirating!

Way to go! Nice story. Keep us posted on your races.

Nice! Congratulations! Thanks for the update.

Glad you had a good time racing and even enjoyed the trail. Sounds like you might just be hooked!

Sound like you had a fantastic first race!

I was getting all nervous and jittery just reading that and cheering for you! Way to go!! Congrats!

very impressive, and a good write-up, too. you go girl! :D

Rita

yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!