How do i start xc racing?

Adam Thompson

Maybe a daft question but ive no idea

I have just started mtb a few weeks ago and i love it...
Been riding wharncliffe red route for a few weeks on an old and heavy (40lb) claud butler lol. Anyway im picking up a carerra fury tomorrow and i cant wait to give it a go...

anyway, my question is how would i go about racing in xc? how to find out about races and can anybody enter?

im in west yorkshire but travelling is not a problem

thanks for any help
adam

stubs

First get fit No I mean really fit fitter than you have ever been

I had a go a few years back and pedalling flat out for lap after lap is a killer my first race I nearly died.my secound race I wished I had died and so on and so on. Finishing a race and not being last is a buzz people have told me winning a race is an even bigger buzz though I never got close to that.

You dont need an expensive bike to race a decent hardtail with some spare tyres is all you need to start. Have a look at the British Cycling site they have contacts for XC racing

http://new.britishcycling.org.uk/

Racing is addictive everyone wants to beat someone else.

ravey1981

http://www.brownbacksracing.co.uk/

Autumn series has just finished but there will probably be another in the spring. Haven't had a go but i hear its been well received, and not taken too seriously...

Been thinking of doing a bit of racing again, last raced about 10 years ago in the NAMBS (Northern area mountain bike series, now defunct unfortunately) I entered the fun class as it was my first ever race and won it . I then was told i wasn't allowed to enter the fun class at the next race as i was too fast (I was only 16/17 and hadn't fully discovered drinking etc at this time)

I eventually ended up in the Junior category which was VERY competitive, lots of sponsored riders etc. One race it started snowing, I got cramp in both legs, got off and decided i never ever wanted to do this again and i stopped racing....

But now....i kinda want to do it again

bones3027

i'm going to have my first blast in january, Brass Monkeys winter series. as its my first race im going to enter the "for fun" catergory and see how i get on.
do a search on google for brass monkeys and register online, costs about £20

Adam Thompson

ok. thanks guys, will look into something for the new year

TonyWard

By the way, you don't need to be that fit - just make sure you only enter Beginner or Fun class if you are not though!

ecarpet1

Get your conditioning program started.

Then Jump in to racing. It is a lot of fun. Racing to get into shape is fun also.

Good luck,

HebdenBiker

If you can't wait 'til next year, have a go at this:

Leisure Lakes XC Events Day 29th November

I used to race there about 15 years ago when they had an event every month. Now it's just a couple of times a year. I can really recommend it - friendly and fun and no-one takes themselves too seriously. Anyway I'll be there, probably coming last.

SiLanc

I started racing about two and a half years ago and quickly got the bug. I have put together some pages which may help you prepare for your first race, I don't take it too seriously, but have had some decent results for an amateur...well I consider them decent ;-)

This is my site, check out the racing section:
http://xcenduro.co.uk/

Check out the Brass Monkeys website here:
http://www.meridabrassmonkeys.com/

Also check out this site, the home of XC racing in the UK:
http://www.xcracer.com

Check out the racing calendar on the British Cycling website:
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/si ... future.asp

Most of all enjoy it. Talk to as many people as possible before and at the race...it's amazing how much help and advice you'll get...we're a friendly bunch

Si