2025 XC MTB Season Discussion Thread (Schedule in 1st Post)

Should have checked this thread when my wife asked me if I had any plans for March so she could set her work schedule. Unfortunately not making it. Especially bummed since the mud hole that was there the first 2 times I raced it isn't there.
 
I'm in for Endurance 45+. Will be using the rigid SS, with 34x17, which is my Pine Barrens gearing.

@Matt_ , assuming you'll be running some huge gear like 36x18 for Cat2 SS?
 
That is one twisty course.

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@Jeremy flew by me on his 7th lap while I was leisurely cruising to my 6th lap and an 18th place finish in the 45+ class while riding my rigid SS. I see 1 other SS that I know on the results pictured above, and he's shown in 6th place. So I will say I got 2nd place in the imaginary Endurance SS class.
 
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I ended up around 1:07 in Cat 2, I think I had my goal time around 1:10 so content with the result for March.

My starts continue to be a serious issue. I need to practice them desperately. I lost the lead guys at the start through the snake in singletrack and never caught them. It would've been a serious ride for me to stay on their tail...I'm curious if they were sub 1 hour.

Onto Jungle.
 
Cassinonorth said:
I ended up around 1:07 in Cat 2, I think I had my goal time around 1:10 so content with the result for March.

My starts continue to be a serious issue. I need to practice them desperately. I lost the lead guys at the start through the snake in singletrack and never caught them. It would've been a serious ride for me to stay on their tail...I'm curious if they were sub 1 hour.

Onto Jungle.
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It’s definitely worth practicing starts. No coincidence that I was best at starts when I was racing cyclocross.
 
Cassinonorth said:
I ended up around 1:07 in Cat 2, I think I had my goal time around 1:10 so content with the result for March.

My starts continue to be a serious issue. I need to practice them desperately. I lost the lead guys at the start through the snake in singletrack and never caught them. It would've been a serious ride for me to stay on their tail...I'm curious if they were sub 1 hour.

Onto Jungle.
Click to expand...

I made big strides in cat 2 when I just started going batshit at the start. I raced a lot in those days.

So next race, start hard and assume you’re the fastest person there. Go for the hole shot. Hold as long as you can. Then break, curse my name, and settle in.

Every race you’ll make it further into the race before you break. Eventually you won’t break anymore. Then you’ll win. And upgrade to cat 1.
 
I registered last minute cat2 with a freshly beat up shoulder for the first time on a non fatbike in a while. Took it easy first lap for fear of blowing up because I’m out of shape. Eventually settled in and picked up the pace a bit. My time of 1:15 definitely isnt going to impress anyone, but my shoulder was behaved, it was a beautiful day, and the trails were quite fun.

Best part, I didnt get passed by my daughter and finished with one minute to spare to see my daughter take first in her group.

Second best part, I got to see her friend take third with her seat in her hand after she ran about the last 3 miles with a broken seat and still grabbed a podium spot!

All in all, very fun time!
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pkovo said:
I registered last minute cat2 with a freshly beat up shoulder for the first time on a non fatbike in a while. Took it easy first lap for fear of blowing up because I’m out of shape. Eventually settled in and picked up the pace a bit. My time of 1:15 definitely isnt going to impress anyone, but my shoulder was behaved, it was a beautiful day, and the trails were quite fun.

Best part, I didnt get passed by my daughter and finished with one minute to spare to see my daughter take first in her group.

Second best part, I got to see her friend take third with her seat in her hand after she ran about the last 3 miles with a broken seat and still grabbed a podium spot!

All in all, very fun time!
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I think we probably rode together a bit at some point. I finished right around the same time in the 40-something to 50-something category. I agree with your notes. Really fun trails and perfect conditions. It was a long day of driving for the length of the race but ultimately well worth it.
 
Norm said:
I made big strides in cat 2 when I just started going batshit at the start. I raced a lot in those days.

So next race, start hard and assume you’re the fastest person there. Go for the hole shot. Hold as long as you can. Then break, curse my name, and settle in.

Every race you’ll make it further into the race before you break. Eventually you won’t break anymore. Then you’ll win. And upgrade to cat 1.
Click to expand...
Yesterday's race definitely was "a go batshit at the start" course. The prologue was setup like a CX course and very short before hitting the straight DT. Once in the ST, it was very tough to pass. Endurance was a mass start of all classes and really surprised there wasn't any carnage.
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JDurk said:
Yesterday's race definitely was "a go batshit at the start" course. The prologue was setup like a CX course and very short before hitting the straight DT. Once in the ST, it was very tough to pass. Endurance was a mass start of all classes and really surprised there wasn't any carnage.
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I have no idea what the solution is but I ended up passing 20+ racers from the age category that started 2 minutes prior. That age group also had the 2 fastest racers in Cat 2 as well so...who knows.

It just absolutely sucks passing in singletrack, thankfully 99% of people are cool and aid in the effort.
 
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