Quote Originally Posted by Bushranger View Post
Any basic etiquette I should know? My plan is for dh to go first (we are taking turns so one of us can look after the kids) and let me know what the course is like, and let the fast ones get ahead. Apart from that, my plan is not to die.

Look forward to your advice!
You definitely need to pre-ride the course a head of time. Maybe the day before or the morning of. It is dangerous not to ride before hand....especially for some one just learning to mountain bike.

Know the rules of the race. They should either be in the flyer or the race director should go over them at the beginning of the race. If someone asks to pass you, move over if you can. If you can't, tell them it's not safe and let them pass you once the terrain opens up a little. The important part is to communicate, be polite and let the person behind you know what you are doing so they can react safely.

If something is too technical to ride, dismount your bike and run around it. Remember that you have to people who are riding have the right away over people who are running. So you'll have to move out of the way.

I'm assuming that you'll be trading laps with your hubby. Let him do 2 laps in a row to start. It will thin the pack out a little more before you enter the course.