My first Mtb Solo Race

[han-grrl]

I just wanted to say thanks for being such an awesome group of cheer leaders! IN BIKE SHORTS of course!

I felt pretty good about my race, but you gals are making me blush a bit. Thanks, its nice to hear nice words

[snowtulip]

Wow, great accomplishment! I'm feeling inspired now. I did a mountain bike tour this summer and completely loved the endurance aspect of it and had been considering an 8-hr solo. I might have to go for it! Keep us posted on your future rides.

[mtbdarby]

Han-grrl - congrats! What an awesome job!

So how did you train or overcome "getting into" the race by jumping into it? I have darn slow twitch muscles and I absolutley DIE the first half a lap. I was gonna try a 3 hour solo ride tomorrow but I tried to pre ride it 2 nights ago. The course is a 7.5 mile loop on brand new single track. Half the course is single track (and I use that word loosely). There are 8 DIFFICULT hills on this thing and both up and down hill is unbelievable steep. There is very little flat terrain and i was walking up and down hill in the first two miles. It's loose, soft and steep and I have a hardtail. I didn't finish the lap - a first time for me. It was discouraging because I'm in better shape for this than I was for my 12 hour team race. I thought a 3 hour solo would be a great start for me since I"m not a sprinter, but I feel this course is simply over my head. There's no room to pass on the singletrack because if you go off of it you'll fall down the hillAnyone have anythoughts on how to approach a race like this?

[han-grrl]

I am not the fastest racer, and i have been training for this race by doing 3 hour long mtb rides. I worked into 3 hours, by working my way to 2 full hours, then 2.5 then 3. I try to do my rides as continuously as possible, only stopping to pee or eat. I started my rides slow and alone, then i invited some pals who i know are faster (and fitter) than i am. and tried to stay on their pace when possible, dropping back when necessary.

WALK UP the hills during a race, it will give you a chance to stretch your back. Just try your best on the single track and have a game plan for what you won't be able to ride, (ie when to dismount when to remount). And ABSOLUTELY DO NOT feel bad about dismounting. As you fatigue some technical sections are best walked anyway, that is you are faster walking than trying to ride.

It sounds like this course and race was designed for sprinting. Short races often are. I don't want to sound like a bummer, but if you can't finish the lap, then you might want to consider another race.

enduro racing is not the same as team racing or regular racing. You really just go out and ride your own race. Unless you are trying for podium or something, you really just go out and ride.


well my two cents...good luck!

Hannah

Han-grrl - congrats! What an awesome job!

So how did you train or overcome "getting into" the race by jumping into it? I have darn slow twitch muscles and I absolutley DIE the first half a lap. I was gonna try a 3 hour solo ride tomorrow but I tried to pre ride it 2 nights ago. The course is a 7.5 mile loop on brand new single track. Half the course is single track (and I use that word loosely). There are 8 DIFFICULT hills on this thing and both up and down hill is unbelievable steep. There is very little flat terrain and i was walking up and down hill in the first two miles. It's loose, soft and steep and I have a hardtail. I didn't finish the lap - a first time for me. It was discouraging because I'm in better shape for this than I was for my 12 hour team race. I thought a 3 hour solo would be a great start for me since I"m not a sprinter, but I feel this course is simply over my head. There's no room to pass on the singletrack because if you go off of it you'll fall down the hillAnyone have anythoughts on how to approach a race like this?

[mtbdarby]

Hannah,
Thanks for the advise. I actually did the 3 hour solo race on Saturday - I walked most of the hills but I had a pretty good time! I even flipped over the handle bars on one down hill and dropped a chain and crashed going up one hill. The course elevation was 100 ft per mile which is the toughest I've done yet. AND - I finished first! LOL, between us, I was the only female in the running, but hey, I got the trophy

Not one biker, even out of the experts, rode all the hills. That's how steep some of them were. I was pretty proud of myself. My other confession: I only rode one lap. Hey, I figured why risk injury when I had first place all wrapped up! I got enough bruises from the first lap, hehe.

I did learn that I agree on walking the hills. Minor hills I could handle but I bet I walked 3/4 of them. I even walked one downhill that was so steep I couldn't control my bike. The other think I learned was that I do need to warm up first. I rode 3 miles first to get my muscles awake so I could hit my grove faster. I think that really helped me.

The fun part was talking to the other riders. It was a small race - about 40 riders in all divisions. So I talked to some of the solo riders. One of the experts even said this course was over his head so I didn't feel so bad! I know it's the end of the season here, but it got me pumped to plan my goals for next year. I even have my first race picked out for next April

[han-grrl]

Good for you!

I am so glad you did it! I was going to suggest just going and doing what you can, but i was a little worried how you said you can fall down the hill! So i played the safe advice...congrats on your first race and your podium finish!


We will have to share training/racing stories for sure!

Yay!

Han