Hi (total MTB NOOB here)
I spent Sunday riding a 50km event in PA - the Rattling Creek MTB Race at Weiser State Forest. As I said above I'm a bit of a noob on MTB and I found the total distance and ride okay from a fitness perspective. I started well but the rock gardens just wore me down to the point where I kept falling and walked anything where I thought I'd hurt myself.
I've got two questions:
- How does one get better at riding rock gardens? I'm worried just practicing them with poor technique doesn't help.
- Are all XC organized races in the area generally going to be that rocky or are there some flowy rides that are less technical?
Perhaps my road riding has ruined me.
And yes - I know I suck. I'm 43, riding my first race and I finished in about 5 hours. The winner was 2.45 hours.
I spent Sunday riding a 50km event in PA - the Rattling Creek MTB Race at Weiser State Forest. As I said above I'm a bit of a noob on MTB and I found the total distance and ride okay from a fitness perspective. I started well but the rock gardens just wore me down to the point where I kept falling and walked anything where I thought I'd hurt myself.
I've got two questions:
- How does one get better at riding rock gardens? I'm worried just practicing them with poor technique doesn't help.
- Are all XC organized races in the area generally going to be that rocky or are there some flowy rides that are less technical?
Perhaps my road riding has ruined me.
And yes - I know I suck. I'm 43, riding my first race and I finished in about 5 hours. The winner was 2.45 hours.