My first MTB race

[sundial]

I was in my LBS Saturday and noticed they were signing up people for an event. When I looked at the flyer, it was a mtb race--the Tour de Forest--set in a nearby park this Sunday. I gave it some thought and decided hey what the heck. I rarely get to do mtb stuff around here and it sounded like fun. ;)

So today I lined up at the starting line and headed for the trail. I was in the lead and then hit my first technical part and BAM! did an endo. I quickly got up and grabbed the bike and got back on when I noticed my saddle was sitting askew. So I stopped to adjust it and watched the other riders in my group pass me by. I continued on but I just couldn't seem to focus and really enjoy the ride. I continued on but by mile 7 of a 10.2 mile ride, I had noodle legs, I was second guessing myself, and my blood sugar probably tanked. :( I think too I felt really spent after my adrenaline died after the endo. I couldn't seem to maintain my momentum and on many occasions, walked the technical areas. :( I kept going, even though it was a painstakingly slow pace, and finally finished. :p I actually came in 2nd for my age group but my time was really....slow. ;)

This was a trail that I had never ridden (on such short notice) and didn't know to anticipate so many technical features. Super steep 20 foot drops, narrow single track where you can barely move your handlebars between the trees, really twisty, loose rocky areas, etc. Oh, and I hadn't ridden my mtb in.....months. :o I learned alot today but I also have questions.

I was wondering.....do you stop on the trail to take in nutrition if the trail is really technical? How much water do you carry in your Camelbak if you are racing? Do you also carry a bottle of sports drink in the bottle cage? What else can I do to keep from that sinking, spent feeling? Any other tips you have for me?

Thanks in advance. :)

[Alex]

Congratulations on getting out there! I think you should tell the story more like this:

"Yeah, I endoed and still came in second." Make sure to sound as nonchalant as possible. :p

You're a tough cookie! (And I'm glad you're okay!)

Alex

[TahoeDirtGirl]

oh this is such a great story I'm printing it out. I hope that getting tossed in the start of the race doesn't scare you off from doing something that spontaneous!

As for nutrition, I would wrap stuff to my handlebars that you could rip off and eat. I would usually rip it off and eat it on a smoother part. But if I needed it then and there, I would usually stop along the trail and look for a rock I could hit with one foot to balance me while I threw it in my mouth and took off again. I can chew and pedal. You can also toss jellybeans or candy in your shirt pockets and dig em out as you ride.

The whole water thing is an art. I have a 3 liter camelbak. Out west, I needed all 3 liters for a 20+ mile race (and then some). I haven't raced here on the east coast, but from the looks of my training and rides, I could handle a 20-30 mile race with only 1 liter. But on both, I had a vitaminwater in the camelbak in case my blood sugar got too low. Water and what to eat is something you can practice and play with during training.


Still an awesome race! I wanted to ride in a race this wknd but my PT said if I did he would discharge me. So...I didn't :( I behaved!

[sundial]

Alex, LOL! Yeah, I need to say it like it's not biggie. ;) When I crossed the finish line, I had dirt down the front of me and the sports watch was still buried under mud, lol. But.....I DID finish. One guy's front rim shattered in 3 big pieces not long after he started. 2 guys went crashing over the steep drop and another guy bloodied up his shin. 2 kids bailed and one chick fell as her bike cartwheeled down a drop. All in all, 80 mtb'ers remained in one piece and the ambulance didn't have to haul anyone away. ;)

TahoeGirl, I have the Camelbak Dream and I chose to fill it only half full because I was only going to ride 10 miles. I only drank half of that. :o I was so focused on the trail I just didn't think to drink. I did pull off and ate a gel, but by then my whole system tanked. I hate coming off a big adrenaline rush.