My first MTB race

[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.

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. 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.