First off-road race...need advice
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364 days
Quincyceltic posted 38 weeks ago.
Sounds like you got the right idea, just ride your local off road trails as much as possible and make sure you fuel up pre and post race. Also make sure if you see a big muddy puddle you ride through it as fast as you can. GL
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1686 days
Triguy98 posted 38 weeks ago.
Have fun. It really is that simple. Smile as often as you can. MTB racing is an odd animal. Takes a few laps to figure it out.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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306 days
amphibops posted 38 weeks ago.
Sounds like you already figured it out: keep expectations low and see what it's like to race. Ride it like a normal ride (you said you've ridden a lot of hours on mtb). Have fun!
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456 days
orangedog posted 38 weeks ago.
If the race is on a loop course, crashing is half the fun, so wear some gloves.
Other than that, sounds like you've got a good plan laid out.
www.theorangedog.net
skills>> spirits>> speed>>
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TonisTri posted 38 weeks ago.
Thanks everybody. I'll let you know how it goes!
That which does not kill me makes me faster...
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2081 days
beads1985 posted 38 weeks ago.
Have fun and get dirty. Ride as fast as you feel comfortable.
Depending on how they have the course set up it could be more technical than you are used to.
Be prepared to get off the bike and push/carry it.
Do you have MTB bike shoes that you can walk/run comfortably in for some short distances?
'Nothing to it, but to do it!'
719
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678 days
TonisTri posted 38 weeks ago.
beads1985 wrote:
Have fun and get dirty. Ride as fast as you feel comfortable.
Depending on how they have the course set up it could be more technical than you are used to.Be prepared to get off the bike and push/carry it.
Do you have MTB bike shoes that you can walk/run comfortably in for some short distances?
Another athlete told me he had to carry his bike on many of the hills so I am already planning on having to do that. I don't have bike shoes or clipless pedals for my mtb...I just wear my running shoes. Inefficient, I know, but that's just where I am in my tri journey right now. My mtb is old, heavy and has no suspension. I am completely aware this will be a punishing race.
I went out on some trails yesterday on my mtb for the first time in 8 months. I've been exclusively on my road bike since last season. Two things: 1. It was HARD. One mile of off-road on a mtb is like 3 miles on the road on a road bike. I have some serious work to do over the next few weeks and 2) It was FUN! I forgot how great it is to ride over all the junk I have to avoid on my road bike.
I expect to get really dirty and tired and I hope not to finish dead last ; ) Side note, this race is my way of celebrating my 40th b-day. Can't think of a better way to mark the occasion!
That which does not kill me makes me faster...
4
Member
582 days
rocknrollgirl posted 38 weeks ago.
Are you doing The Oddman? I have not done it, but one of my teammates did last year. It is a 3 mile run, 10 mile mt bike and a 3 mile run if I remember correctly. Just go and have fun. The feedback that I got is that it drew a number of really serious cross type racers and and and equal number of folks just out to have fun.
So go and enjoy yourself. It is not technical, so if you continue to ride your local trails you should be fine.
719
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678 days
TonisTri posted 38 weeks ago.
rocknrollgirl wrote:
Are you doing The Oddman? I have not done it, but one of my teammates did last year. It is a 3 mile run, 10 mile mt bike and a 3 mile run if I remember correctly. Just go and have fun. The feedback that I got is that it drew a number of really serious cross type racers and and and equal number of folks just out to have fun.So go and enjoy yourself. It is not technical, so if you continue to ride your local trails you should be fine.
Yep! It's the Oddman. Thanks so much for the feeback. Just what I needed! I can't wait!
That which does not kill me makes me faster...
I am doing my first off road race at the end of March. It is a 5k run thru the woods followed by a 10 mile bike that I understand is pretty muddy and difficult. I have NO experience here. I have logged a lot of hours on my mtb over the years but never raced on it. I am going to try to ride on the nature trails near my house as often as possible over the next few weeks. What else should I do. How can I prepare? This is just about finishing a gritty race for me. I am not looking for an big finish...just want to finish in once piece and hopefully a smile on my face.
Any advice appreciated!
That which does not kill me makes me faster...