MTB racing - Triathlon - Runner's World

ultra_w

19/10/2003 at 16:20

Just wondered if any other forumites here dabble in MTB racing.

I'm sat here feeling a tad battered & bruised after my first race (falling off 5 times didn't help), and definitely have a lot more respect for the sport than I did before.

Advice gratefully received from anyone that knows what they're doing... ;-)

Bionic Ironwolf pirate

pirate

19/10/2003 at 16:24

Yep, the Mr. and I do an occasional one in the winter months. Tougher than it seems, isn't it?

nicemonkey

19/10/2003 at 16:39

Hi

I have converted from MTB racing to running this year and really miss the down hills!!!! and being able to drink when you are going along...how the hell do you drink without getting most of it down you? If you need any advice on Mouantain biking just ask.

ed_m (a.k.a. ultra bunny)

19/10/2003 at 16:53

i did some when younger... very hard work compared to casual riding.

my sis' races elite :)

ultra_w

19/10/2003 at 17:08

Yep, a different game from just pootling around in the woods, that's for sure. Fair play to anyone who races elite - I tried novice, although the fact that some of the others had £3000 bikes and shaved legs kinda suggested that they were anything but.

My main problem seemed to be the downhills - there was one steep one with lots of loose gravel. I fell off on the practise lap, on lap one, and again on lap two. I walked down on lap three ;-) I just couldn't figure out how to control it when the front wheel was sliding about all over the shop...

cougie

pirate

19/10/2003 at 17:42

Used to race MTB and rode the Nationals a few times. I packed it in when I realised I was spending longer cleaning the bike than racing ! Very muddy business in winter.

Great fun though - bike handling will improve eventually. Try keeping the bike as upright as possible and in a straight line wherever you can, that way the front wheel won't skid away from you. But running is also good ! ;-)

Daz

19/10/2003 at 17:45

borrowed my flatty's bike for a bit of mtbing today. theres a little track around the tooting stadium thats quite handy. dam fun and almost came off a couple of times :O>

fraggle

pirate

19/10/2003 at 17:53

Where did you race Skinny Whippet? Mr Fraggle is keen on mtb, and rides around Bracknell forest at lunchtimes, and I think he'd enjoy a race. Are there any more coming up?

ultra_w

19/10/2003 at 18:27

Yep, there's one in Crowthorne on 9th November Fraggle, see www.gorrick.com

Don't think I'll be doing it though as it's too close to the Brighton 10K.

fraggle

pirate

19/10/2003 at 18:29

Cheers!

Don Minquez

20/10/2003 at 11:15

Daz? Tooting Stadium?!

Don Minquez

20/10/2003 at 11:15

(I'm guessing it's part of Tooting Centre for Sporting Excellence!)

cougie

pirate

20/10/2003 at 11:16

Maybe its in already for the Olympics ?

20/10/2003 at 11:18

*lol*

cougie

pirate

20/10/2003 at 11:21

And they can hold the rowing in the Lido ?

Might be a tad unconventional, what with them having to turn round a few times to get the distance, but that adds to the fun !

Daz

20/10/2003 at 11:29

:o)
hehe tooting stadium is my affectionate name for it.
i guess i say it for most tracks now, after the millenium stadium came to battersea park!! and what an enormous, fine example of modern architecture that is :o/

Don Minquez

20/10/2003 at 11:35

erm... Quite!

I know the bit ya mean though. Not baaaaaaaaad, but try Wimbledon common/Richmond. bit better. Still not quite life threatening though.

Daz

20/10/2003 at 11:39

no, because the bike weighs more than a car!
and i dont like wimbledon, people keep exposing themselves around there

Don Minquez

20/10/2003 at 11:41

I can only apologise for that.

Dr Nic Twinks

20/10/2003 at 11:45

*LOL* Jon.