So I want to start XC bike racing....advise anyone?

djty111

djty111

Active member
Ok so I want to stat to do low level xc races...for instance the Solitude Full Throttle Bike Series...I have been on a bike my whole like but only realy started xc rideing a few years ago...would the sport or beginner group be better for me? Do I realy need a XC bike or will my 5/5/ travel prophet work ?.... any other advise would also be helpfull thanks..
 
first, how old are you? if youre 16 or older, do the sport class. you'll get your ass kicked but who cares. itll give you motivation to do better and try to ride a few times a week on a ride thats 5 miles or more. practice, practice and practice. itll take a while to get into racing shape, probably wont happen before winter to be honest.
 
ya I am 22...I think I might try sport ...the race on a 4 mile mostly st loop at solitude that I dont know much about the beginier group does one lap and sport does two. Should I take the normal gear with me on the race(tube,irons, chain tool) or is it not worth it casue if you half to fix it you would already be far out of the race?
 
its not a big deal if you dont win your first races. its all about figuring out what its like to race. learning how to pace yourself etc. but yeah if you can carry that stuff its always a good idea because honestly who likes to be stuck on the middle of the trail broken down? ive had that experience a few times and it sucks hard. always upkeep your bike after and before every ride and you shouldnt run into those problems. run your tires at about 40 and you should be set for flats. can never be sure so its always good to bring extra equipment with ya.
 
does anyone know anything about the solitude xc course I think it might be on Serenity...I tryed the bike cults but the two I am in are dead.
 
Word. Relate it to skiing. You could be out there having fun with your friends in the park, or you could race. But I dont wanna be an asshole, thats just my opinion. I love riding around, but it gets boring after a while, as did racing on skis.. maybe after a while you'll get into some DH. its a wholllllle different world.
 
i have a friend who was once a sponsored xc motocross racer, not sure how this helps you but just thought i'd claim
 
theres nothin wrong with XC at all. i worked at a bike shop for two years, and all of the guys who worked there rode XC bikes, so i got into it too. i dont race but ive considered it, having a few years experience in some intense trails in massachusetts. youll probly be fine riding a prophet for now, but eventually if you progress in the racing scene i personally would recommend a bike with a little less travel, like 4 or 5 inches max. im riding a specialized epic marathon, and i love it. best bike ive ridden for XC, but other good stuff too would be like a cannondale rush or scalpel, or like a santacruz blur xc. but anyway good luck racing.
 
all the kids saying dont do XC either have never tried it, want the cheap thrills fast, or the smallest percent is that it isnt their thing. honestly im not hating as ive been into downhill pretty good even taking the pilgrimage to whistler for heli-biking, but found everything to be way more rewarding after working hard to achieve it. as relating it to skiing? its the same thing to say you can chill with your buds XC riding. hell im going up camping for a weekend to the Northeast Kingdom this weekend with a few friends. i couldnt have better times doing it. you wont enjoy it IF you are trying to do it with a non-XC specific bike. i did a 100k mtb race last year and it was the worst time of the year because i didnt have my bike set up for a long XC race. my back was destroyed only 15 miles in. but anyways, get a good riding buddy and you can have just as much fun as anyone and not to mention the runner's high after a ride cant be beat or matched by DH riding.
 
work out the proper angles with your body position and it is fine. its an all mountain bike meaning its a xc bike but a little more built for the tech. descents. really its good.
 
aka BMX. lol.

I'm not gonna bash XC. but if were me and I wanted to move under my own steam on a bike, I'd do BMX racing. It's totally different, but in the end you're supplying the power on a bike.
 
if you want to get really into it start training alot, i have a friend who was 1st in the nation for jr expert, pretty sure he is onto expert now and is 3rd or 2nd in the nation now, hes in college so i dont talk to him much anymore (greg carpenter if anyone is wondering) anyways he trains ALOT to get to what he has achived, im pretty sure he is on a bike every single day preparing. i had raced for a season i loved it at first but the next season rolled around and i did one race and never got back into it, it takes alot of work and alot of time. i didnt buy any special XC bike when i raced, thank god would have been a good waste of money, i raced with a hardrock comp, and a P2. nothing special for racing on them i built them up for DJ. id say do a season or a few races on your prophet and see how you like it then if you feel like your going to be doing it for a few years, go make a nice XC bike purchise. thats my 2 cents, good luck!
 
I would love to DH but I live in central ohio and its not much of an option. I just got into xc this year and it has been a blast. I havent considered racing but maybe someday, my endurance skills are lacking. I dont see why hate, its fun and a great workout.
 
Are you joking? There are some pro big mountain skiers (not going to name names) that XC bike to stay in shape. I would get a better bike though. lol. I dont know your budget but i started off with the Specialized XC, thats a sick entry level bike with full suspention.
 
Do what you want, DH, DJ or XC. it doesnt matter as long as you have fun. all i can say is for xc do beginner first, if you start taking first then move up to sport. just start riding but never loose the fun because once your not having fun it will turn to shit. ride when you feel like it, if you start riding and you dont feel like going any more but you push yourself to then turn around. i also suggest getting a single speed and racing/riding ss instead. way more fun that geared bikes and you can smoke way more pot and ride because you dont have any gears to mess with.
 
im not going to lie xc is bad ass. so much respect for those guys. so much fun. i wish i could get into more mountain biking.
 
Ya pretty much sums up what i was thinking. Kinda like a "earn your turns" mentallity to it. Also there are a lot of good trails that aren't lift accesed either.
 
If you really wanna try it seriously, you gotta ride at least 3-4 days a week for an hour and a half or more. the guys that podium in those races are in much better shape than you can imagine, even in sport because so many people sand bag. it's fun though, especially if you're good at downhill too since most xc racers won't know how to ride it as well as you.
 
Buy a Road Bike

Ride your road bike at least 3 times a week for 2-4 hours per ride focus on hilly roads

Ride you MTBike 1-2 times a week on technical tracks

Get a mountain bike with minimal travel suspension

Make sure your bike has some nice light wheels

Get clipless peddles and proper shoes if you don't have them already

Get some tight fitting clothes - look as Euro as possible

Shave your legs.

Thats how to win.
 
haha word. road biking is a great way to build endurance. my parents are wicked in shape because of it. they're already done planning the next trip for next summer.
 
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