5by3MTB series
WindyG
Posts: 1,099
Well decided I would give it ago and enter my first MTB race. Found it seriously harder than I thought it would be but still enjoyed it all the same came 35th out of the 39 that did finish. Did what I set out to achieve which was finish and not come last. Was really impressed with how it was organised and got so much encouragement from other faster/better riders as I struggled on the last lap.
It hasn't put me off and i'll be at the next round in 4 weeks time, got to get a lot fitter and aim higher now.
It hasn't put me off and i'll be at the next round in 4 weeks time, got to get a lot fitter and aim higher now.
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Posts
Don't expect to see results straight away as it will take a while.
Good luck in the next one, let us all know how you got on
Scott Aspect 10
Schwinn Fastback Comp
Cube Reaction GTC SL
Scott Aspect 10
Schwinn Fastback Comp
Cube Reaction GTC SL
Before I say any of this, the overriding aim must be to have fun! We are not professional athletes, it's not fun don't do it!
Firstly a common misconception is what building a 'base' is and what its purposes is, a lot of people associate it with long slow distance rides (LSD) and think building a 'base' is necessary to the 'weekend warrior' type of rider, when in my mind it's a type of training intended to improve your ability to metabolise fat, and to a certain extent endurance - something which isn't so necessary in an XC race, but is in 100mile+ road race. The idea of riding slowly, maybe even as slowly as you can is a farce - when has anyone gone to you 'hey, I wonder how slowly I can go in this race'. Remember your training needs to be specific to what you are trying to achieve, assuming you want to improve you race performance.
Next, I'd say that you should pay little attention to heart rate (although if it works for you, use it) in my experience it has proved to be too variable for it to be an accurate measure of intensity, and without a power meter it's difficult to contextualise. If it feels hard, it probably is, if it feels easy, it probably is, I'd advocate training by feel and analyzing heart rate data afterwards to check you were on the right track.
Turbo training is when you get your really specific training in, something like this: http://www.flammerouge.je/content/3_fac ... /sh1ts.htm would be a good investment in time (ignore the gear selction guide, just go hard for the length of the interval.) + it'll make it far less tedious!
Doing the above session once a week, a fast paced mtb ride, a 2hr road ride and a fun skills focused mtb ride + basic core and flexibility work could see you well on your way to achieving something more than 'just finishing'.
I thoroughly recommend you give the therford winter series a try: http://www.thetfordmtbracing.com/
and mud sweat and gears during the summer: http://www.mudsweatgears.co.uk/
I am also looking at changing bikes soon, just need to decide HT again or FS, i've seen a Giant Anthem X4 at a decent price.
Scott Aspect 10
Schwinn Fastback Comp
Cube Reaction GTC SL
All depends what you want to use it for, looks like a nice bike though as for the hills, you just have to keep going up them to improve! again and again and again
One thing i would say is, spending hours on the bike is good, but varied, sessions on a turbo will bring results faster, but they need to be tailored to what sort of races you want to enter, my situation is ive been off the mtb all year, after an operation, this meant i have done lots of miles on the road, which has kept me fit, but i lost a bit of top end power, but gained strength, sunday was my 2nd race this year and i felt awful for the first 20 minutes, but after that it seemed to settle down and at the end i did my best lap, according to the garmin on the bike.
i may well have come past you at some point (Revel outdoors Kit) and offered some cheery words.
Im at the next one with my son, who does the kids race, so come and say hello.
Darren.
Looking forward to the next one.
Scott Aspect 10
Schwinn Fastback Comp
Cube Reaction GTC SL
I remember now WindyG, that must have been the last lap i reckon, i quite liked that slope up there, not much in the way of traction though, kept spinning the rear!
The lap for the kids was a cracker, my son loved it, he did moan about the uphill bits though!
That drop from the woods to the grass was a laugh I gave up trying to get down it properly and decided to jump out instead and that last bit grass near the end of the lap I cut the corner through the bush on the left more grip that way :-)
Mine sort of loved it, she knew though she didn't try and just rode it which was fine for her first race, she reckons she's up for trying next time plus we might have another 2 in tow.
We were stood near you when kids were racing I think I remember your lad he was doing well despite not changing gear?
Scott Aspect 10
Schwinn Fastback Comp
Cube Reaction GTC SL
Scott Aspect 10
Schwinn Fastback Comp
Cube Reaction GTC SL
I try hard too not be a "competitive dad" but i do like winding the boy up when he rides, he loves it, and he does well for 11, plus he is a skinny little censored , was proud of him on sunday though, he hates mud and getting his bike dirty!
Give the Thetford races a look, have a go in the fun race, its a longer lap, around 8 miles, and faster, not as twisty as sunday, and can range from wet through to frosty, and you can then watch the fast mob in there races too learn a bit.
Scott Aspect 10
Schwinn Fastback Comp
Cube Reaction GTC SL
Taking the boy as he is proper keen, and still pondering over the seniors race, been suffering with back trouble all week, but riding might help.....
Only heavy rain will put me off, been ill most of the is week but what the hell I can carry on suffering next week :-)
The down I don't mind but the up not so much.
Scott Aspect 10
Schwinn Fastback Comp
Cube Reaction GTC SL
Either way I'll come and say hi to you and your dad
Scott Aspect 10
Schwinn Fastback Comp
Cube Reaction GTC SL
Good to meet you properly Darren.
Scott Aspect 10
Schwinn Fastback Comp
Cube Reaction GTC SL
Scott Aspect 10
Schwinn Fastback Comp
Cube Reaction GTC SL
Darren are you entering MSG?
Scott Aspect 10
Schwinn Fastback Comp
Cube Reaction GTC SL
I am indeed doing MSG, need to sort an entry out soon, and check the dates! didnt race them last year, so looking forward to a summer of monthly races again this year.
Scott Aspect 10
Schwinn Fastback Comp
Cube Reaction GTC SL
Scott Aspect 10
Schwinn Fastback Comp
Cube Reaction GTC SL
MSG next, and you will enjoy that, longer laps, fast races and good fun, as im there for the kids race with jack, i will be out and about watching, before the veterans race in the afternoon.