(intense music) (bike tires riding on dirt)
- I've probably done my fair share
of mountain bike races in the last 20 years.
I've made a lot of mistakes, that's for sure
but I'm gonna give you some tips
on how to approach your first race.
(upbeat jazzy music)
So first thing to do really, is try
and prepare physically so try
and identify the demands of that race
and maybe this might inform you
into the type of race you do,
if this is your first ever event.
For a fitter rider then maybe think
about heading out and do a cross country race.
Maybe your skills are really good
but maybe you're quite so fit,
then maybe go for downhill.
So try and identify these demands as early as possible.
Try and get as fit as you can,
try and ride as much as you can,
that is gonna make your life easier
but probably gonna make your first race more fun as well.
(upbeat jazzy music)
What about the mental approach to racing?
Often people come apart at the seams
when it comes to race time and time to go.
How do you try and stop this?
Well everyone gets nervous, people try
and prove something to their mates or whatever
but just relax and ride like you know how.
It will disappear with a bit of practice
but you'll also know how to recognize it and deal with it.
Maybe try to recreate the race situation.
Maybe time it if you're racing downhill
and try and put a bit of pressure on yourself.
I know loads of people who are super fast
on Strava or at a race where you can do
as many runs as you want, but many of them
can't back it up if you only have one go
and the pressure is on, so try and practice this.
(upbeat jazzy music)
Now it's time to enter the race,
which is pretty easy to do nowadays.
Get online, look on Facebook, look on websites.
There's loads of information out there.
Find a race you know you can compete in,
so maybe don't go for an epic 400 kilometer challenge
if you're new to riding.
In the UK there's a good range of races
catering for the top pros who want
to race downhill, cross country or marathon
but there's also grassroots cross country,
downhill and enduro racing.
You might need to travel to the bigger events
like the Enduro World Series or world cups
but you'll need to qualify for these first
by racing locally and nationally.
Do your research online and speaking to riding mates.
You can learn a lot from riders with experience
but don't take it all for gospel.
Some people love to tell a war story from a dramatic race,
like how they were t-boned off a cliff
and the mega avalanche.
At a lot of races for every
super serious racer head that's there,
there's another person who's there just for the experience
and won't risk life and limb to beat everyone.
Even check out YouTube for previous head cams of the race
to learn about it.
Right, now you know the event, you know what to expect
and you're working towards getting ready
mentally and physically, time to make sure
you have the right equipment and your bike is up to it.
Again, read the race website.
There should be a list of compulsory and recommended kit.
For example, downhill races often make full face helmets,
back protectors, gloves and knee pads compulsory
or maybe just recommend some of it.
Same with enduro, some series have full face helmets
as a must.
Don't forget to take spares for your bike.
(upbeat jazzy music)
So I like to make sure prepared at races
and take spare everything, really.
I take my full kit bag.
You never if maybe practice is gonna be wet
so you get through loads of that.
I'm at an enduro race so I've got a couple of options.
Got my bumbag, a Camelback and I've got my bigger one.
That's the one with the back protector, that's the Kudu.
I'm taking that one today because I'm also taking,
I'm taking spares so a spare tube.
I've got some bars and gels in there.
I've got some water, I've also got a bottle on my bike
but it's a super hot day today
so I've probably got like two liters of water.
I've also got my mini camera.
If you can take a mechanic with you
to help you out, fix your bike.
And then spares, I've got things that I might need.
You know, you never know if there's gonna be a shop
near the race where you might pick up extra bits
so I've got a chain, got some tubular sealant,
got a couple of tubes.
Things like lubes, spare break pads
and all the tools to look after my bike
so pumps, shot pump.
First aid kit, never know when you might need that
and spare tires.
(upbeat jazzy music)
Try and make sure your bike is prepared before the race.
There's nothing more frustrating than spending your money
on entries, fuel, accommodation and food
and then your bike letting you down
so I really check this bike over before I came here.
It's race day today and I did some practice yesterday,
I rode four of the stages, so again,
I checked the bike over afterwards.
I actually had a couple of loose bolts on it.
And it's good to do that after that practice.
Don't do it the morning of the race
because you might find something wrong
and then it's too late so try and keep on top of your bike.
Check the most common things, really,
like, you know, your tires, check the side walls.
Check the chain, lube it up, and you're ready to go.
(upbeat jazzy music)
Time to fuel up and prepare for the race.
If you're doing an endurance race
then you need to carry some food so just make sure
you plan this ahead and even practice
what food you're gonna take, just to make sure
it doesn't disagree with your stomach.
So there you go guys, there's a few tips on how
to do your first race.
Don't be too nervous, everyone's got to start somewhere
and we all mess it up, so get entered
and hopefully have some fun.
If you want to see the video of me racing
the Ard Rock Enduro, click to the left of the screen
for that one and for an older one,
me racing the Andes Pacifico in Chile a couple years ago,
click to the right.
Don't forget to give us a thumbs up
if you love racing mountain bikes.