Thinking about your first Race?

Good luck to you first time racers. You will do great. I would join you if I could. I am a very junior rider, but I like races to meet other riders, and also it is a luxury to ride on a course that is marked. A lot of times in group rides I lag behind. I actually feel less pressure in a race b/c nobody is waiting for me.

So I went to LewMo today by myself. I couldn't find anyone to ride with, and I know I can ride around "yellow" at LewMo and not get lost. I went around yellow 3x. Is that any kind of a decent workout? I recall ppl on this board saying LewMo is "easy"...it's definitely not technical, but I can feel those 3 loops, that is for sure. :-X

Just found out it is a half day of school next Tuesday so I am out for the girls ride. Have fun, and somebody post another one!
Heidi
 
Hey Patty,
Do you want to post this ride in it's own thread?
When I spoke with Anne at JORBA she didn't know about the ride, I wonder if there are others...:hmmm:
 
I am considering doing this as my first time race.. I need to get my S**t together on the hills.. it's a pretty easy course.. but any hills kill me. Hopefully I can get in the racing frame of mind and blow up them...
Still undecided! lol
 
Do it. The best thing that could happen is you could find your groove, rock the course and take first place. The worst that could happen is you get out for a ride and challenge yourself, have some fun and come in dead last smiling all the way. Sounds like a winner of a day either way.
 
I am actually not caring whether or not I come in first of last. It's the challenge and the good times.. and it looks like I have no choice now.. Hubby registered me this morning! lol
 
Jam5377 said:
I am actually not caring whether or not I come in first of last. It's the challenge and the good times.. and it looks like I have no choice now.. Hubby registered me this morning! lol
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Yay!!!!!! You, me and our other dirty gurls will have a great time that day...we'll make the boys cater to us!
 
Hey don't worry about the hills I will be right next to you struggling my way up them as well 🙂 all the while saying to myself... why in the heck did I decide to do this voluntarily?

I like this idea of getting boys to cater to us.... maybe I need to race more often lol

I will try and get out to lewis morris sometime the week of the 14th after work. I will post when it gets closer a day and time to see if anyone cares to join me. I usually get there around 5 pm and can finish the course by 6 or 6:15.
 
Jam5377 said:
I am considering doing this as my first time race.. I need to get my S**t together on the hills.. it's a pretty easy course.. but any hills kill me. Hopefully I can get in the racing frame of mind and blow up them...
Still undecided! lol
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For a first race, go easy on the hills. Since this is, by your admission, a weak spot for you it is even more important that you don't over cook yourself on the hills, or anywhere else for that matter.

There is still some time to get a feel for your "race pace" go out this weekend and ride as hard as you can for 20-30 minutes. If you have a heart rate monitor take an average HR of this time. If not, get a feel for how hard the effort feels. During your race, stay just under that effort for at least the 1st 1/2. Then see how you feel and finish the race strong. Give it a try, go at your own pace.

My first race I had NO clue about MTB racing. I had a great time anyway and that is what is the most improtant thing. Go out and have fun. Have a great race.
 
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Kmoodymz3 said:
My first race I had NO clue about MTB racing. I had a great time anyway and that is what is the most improtant thing. Go out and have fun. Have a great race.
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Sounds like my first race too. No one knows what to expect until they get out there and give it a try. The goal of every race should be to have fun, especially your first race!!

See you out there 😀
 
Looks like LM may be my first race this year. Wow how time flies! Are there any pre-race rides or does anyone have a course map? I've ridden at LM just not raced there yet.
 
Kmoodymz3 said:
There is still some time to get a feel for your "race pace" go out this weekend and ride as hard as you can for 20-30 minutes. If you have a heart rate monitor take an average HR of this time. If not, get a feel for how hard the effort feels. During your race, stay just under that effort for at least the 1st 1/2. Then see how you feel and finish the race strong. Give it a try, go at your own pace.
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Thanks! that is some great advice! I am going to try to get out as much as I can in the next two weeks. I will def be getting a HR monitor. I will for sure be pacing myself.. Once I warm up, I can go at a pretty good clip.. (until the next big climb! lol)
 
LM race

since this is my first race (and also for others)...questions about the morning of Marty's race...

what time do people start arriving at the park? I think my category is scheduled for 8:30 start...I would like to get there early enough to get in a little warm up ride/not be rushed...

do people bring coolers/bevs and hang out through the race/after?
 
Pre-ride 19-20 Jun (This weekends)

I am planning to do a pre-ride anytime this weekend. Anyone wants to join? I would love some company. Please PM me. 🙂
 
skiphreaknj said:
since this is my first race (and also for others)...questions about the morning of Marty's race...

what time do people start arriving at the park? I think my category is scheduled for 8:30 start...I would like to get there early enough to get in a little warm up ride/not be rushed...

do people bring coolers/bevs and hang out through the race/after?
Click to expand...

I'd typically get there an hour early to allow time for registration and warming up. No matter what you do though, you almost always cool down when you are standing at the start line (UGH!).

Yes, people always hang out afterwards...that's the best part 🙂
 
skiphreaknj said:
since this is my first race (and also for others)...questions about the morning of Marty's race...

what time do people start arriving at the park? I think my category is scheduled for 8:30 start...I would like to get there early enough to get in a little warm up ride/not be rushed...

do people bring coolers/bevs and hang out through the race/after?
Click to expand...

Like Mare said, get there at least an hour before. Get your number and warm up on the course if you like. The women usually go last, so you will most likely start after 8:30 depending on how many minutes between each group.

Bring a change of clothes and plenty of food and water to hang out afterwards.
 
Personally, I feel like 1 hour is not enough. I feel less nervous if I'm there early as possible and get relaxed. At least 2 hrs for me.
 
Well I havent registered yet, I am still trying to think of a way out of it!

I am just not a fast or good rider, but all my guy friends ride with me then race and I feel left out when I just take pictures. I love riding, I am just not fast! SO racing has never been good for me. It takes me about an hour to do the 6 mile Lewis Morris loop and thats fun for me. My friends say, just register and do the loop at my own pace and have fun. I have looked at the results, I am sure to come in last and I guess? I am okay with that. I really do love the thrill of race day. SO I am giving myself until tomorrow to race or just take pics of my friends!

ALLYGADGET!!! Your boyfriend put my odomoter on my bike yeterday and thought I may be your MTBNJ forum connection! Hope you had a good pre ride, it wsa HOT!
 
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