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Tips for the Race Day
Tips to get you Started
Mountain bike racing is not just for the highly trained. It is an exhilarating physical activity that can add to your health and quality of life. Racing is as much about fun, shared experiences and making new friends as it is about competition. The MN State Championship Series (MNSCS) is open to all and welcomes new female and male participants of all ages and athletic abilities.
Fitness:
The MN Series has various classes to accommodate racers of all abilities. A beginner may want to participate in the "Citizen Class" if they have any questions regarding their fitness or skill levels.
Riding with more experienced cyclists can help develop your technical skills.
Riding a variety of terrain/courses can assist with technical abilities.
Avoid spending all of your time on trails with features that are above your riding abilities.
Be sure to warm up well before your event. A good warm up ride will greatly improve your race and you will feel better and be faster on the trail.
All racers can benefit from pre-riding the race course. Pre-riding the course consists of riding the designated race course prior to the day of the event. if it is not an open trail, pre riding information can be found on the events page. Pre-riding the course gives you the opportunity to learn the terrain and boost your confidence for your first race.
Maintenance:
At least a day in advance, check over your bike to make sure everything is in good working order: check your wheels, drive train (chain, crank set, cogs, shifters, derailleurs) and brakes.
Refrain from making any significant changes affecting the fit of the bike within a week of the race, such as changing your seat or handle bar positioning or replacing or upgrading components.
Nutrition:
Get plenty of rest, nutrition, and hydration the night before your race.
Eat a good breakfast 3-4 hours before your start time
About an hour before your race, have a light snack (power bar, fig cookies, etc.), to give your body a little energy boost.
Drink plenty of water leading up to your race but you should stop 30 minutes before the race. This will give you time to use the bathroom just prior to the race start.
For a race under 60 minutes, you may not need food. However, some people use energy gels like Clif Shot or Hammer gel to keep there energy up during a race.
During longer races, it is recommended to ingest the gels every 20 minutes with fluid to maintain hydration and a steady energy flow.
Continue drinking during your race to remain hydrated.
Registration:
Arrive at the race an hour or two prior to your start so you can get registered, change clothes, and get in a good warm up ride.
When you register, the race registrar will direct you to fill out forms and pay your entry fee. If you have registered online, you should still visit the registration table to sign a release form and pick up your race number.
After registration, change into your race clothing and prep your bike. Final bike prep includes putting your race number on your handlebar, checking tires and suspension for proper air pressure, checking for clean shifting, and checking your brakes.
If you have any questions please ask for the Series Ambassador.
The Race:
It may be beneficial to carry a multitool with you during the race.
You should arrive at the starting area 5-10 minutes prior to the start. Usually there is a scheduled racers meeting just prior to the start, so listen for instructions given at the registrars table.
Mountain bike races start fast, so be ready to work hard after the countdown. Usually the hard initial pace slows a bit and the riders find their comfort zone.
Beginner races are usually short enough that you can maintain hard work for the duration depending on your fitness.
Most importantly, have fun. Mountain bike racing is a great way to spend a day and the people you meet along the way make it even more rewarding.
