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Coming from a few other bits of thread/posts.
I kinda find it slightly interesting as to why/not.
I sort of race, sort of sometimes, and not particularly well. For me, it's a bit of a battle with myself to get better, to push harder, but a decent chunk of it is that i also get to ride places i otherwise cannot ride outside of racing. Different courses that are not on public land etc.. It's also a bit of the 'different' terrain for me too, stuff that is just either too tricky, or borderline tricky for me to get down.
I also wonder if at times i have something to prove... Not necessarily to anyone else, but to me, proving i'm not past it, too old, too rubbish....
Mostly i enjoy it though, but the fear is often there, the adrenaline is ALWAYS there and i have more than the odd sleepless night over it 😀
I'm never going to podium, ever... even if 4 people enter i'd still struggle lol. But i do find it hard to attend races with my lad and not enter.
Nope, it's expensive and essentially pointless. I'd rather just ride and enjoy it for what it is, not within a purely artificial framework.
No.
I used to back in the 90s, was always mid-pack in whatever category I raced in (except for a 10th at a QECP race once, oh and a win in the fun at the Big Bike Bash!(later than the 90s))... came to realise it wasn't a part of riding that I actually enjoyed, so stopped.
Will never start again 1. cos I'm on AF drugs which have ruined what stamina I ever had and 2. it costs money.
I don't have that competitive thing going on. I've entered a few "events" over the years but sometimes as a bit of a social thing, or maybe just to give me something to train for. I'm running an off-road marathon this year and fully expect to finish last. I just want to finish. The training I've done has undoubtedly made me fitter so that's a win already as I'd not have the discipline to do it without a target of "not making an arse of myself".
However, I also get what might be performance anxiety so I'll be hating myself on the run up to the event too. I really don't need more anxiety in my life so one event per year seems about right 😁
No, I'm fat, slow, not massively skilled or brave on a bike and I like to use hobbies to relax.
I don't think racing is for me
I’m slightly tempted to have a go at a southern enduro - not because I think I’ll do well - more as a challenge to see if I get round competently. Even if I do alright it’s not going to lead to loads of racing as I just don’t have the time with a young family.
No I don't race but I am doing a local GoRace XC event on the evening if 21/06 to support the newly established series and help define the pecking order of the local group I ride with of which I'll most definitely be at the bottom.
Any previous racing has always really been against myself.
I used to back in the 90s, was always mid-pack in whatever category I raced in...came to realise it wasn’t a part of riding that I actually enjoyed, so stopped.
This.
Enjoy watching top level racing though
On the flip side to just riding for fun...
My riding was always about competition, even rides with friends were competitive training rides. A Sunday morning mtb ride was pretty much 4 to 5 hours flat out trying to grind each other down.
I've raced cyclo-cross, mtb races, 24hr races and the odd time trial. My main thing was trailquests though and I even won a national round once! (A long time ago). 🙂
Then I went on pills for high blood pressure - these blunted my performance to such an extent I went from riding at the front on club rides to hanging off the back.
Eventually I drifted away from cycling. Cycling was competition - bimbling about looking at the scenery just wasn't for me.
I've not really touched a bike properly in 5+ years and I'm now in the process of selling everything off as there's no point hanging on to it.
No, because time, basically.
If I can persuade the kids that it's fun I'll quite happily go and find myself finishing in the bottom half of the Masters category.
Or maybe I can just wait until the kids have left home and find myself finishing in the bottom half of the Vets.
Saying that, racing was more than 50% social for me so if I found I came back to it and I wasn't bullshitting around with the other regulars I'd probably not bother.
Generally you pay more to do less so I don't see it as worth it for the limited time I have available.
I did a few enduro's in the past and they were good fun with mates but realistically I was just racing them and having a good time. Now it can be too much effort and expense to enter some races (see Ard Rock) so I can't be bothered.
Tried an enduro, never again. I'd consider a xc style sportive but I don't think that's technically racing. Mainly can't be bothered with the faff and not really competitive so it just doesn't appeal.
Have no competitive bone in my body. Simply not interested in how well I may do against another person/people.
No. No interest in it. I worked out quite early on that I'm faster than some and slower than many. I have no desire to reverify that. I also don't care whether I'm faster or slower than anyone else. Having fun is more important.
What I don't understand is why people race who have no chance of winning. Surely the whole point of racing is to win?
Yes. I normally finish in the bottom 10%.
It focuses the mind, pushes me to hit stuff I wouldn’t when just out for a ride.
I get to ride places that might not always be open to riders normally.
Often an opportunity to get some decent riding pics, by folk who know what they are doing, too.
What I don’t understand is why people race who have no chance of winning. Surely the whole point of racing is to win?
To answer that from my side... To TRY and win... even if that win is only "not last place" which is mostly my goal when i race enduro. It's a win for me to just get round really. But there's also the atmosphere and the banter, both on track and off track. Going through the jumpy section at Milland you had about 40-50 all cheering/jeering/abusing and pushing you on, no matter how fast or slow, it made me both laugh and push a jump in equal amounts. It's the same at the FoD DH races, you'll get again quite a lot of people who are rarely quiet and often shouting enthusiastic comments to you.
There's also the paddock banter, the camping, the BBQ, the beers and the laughs with people.
Yes. Because it’s a different dynamic riding hard alongside someone you know is trying their best to beat you.
I haven’t sprinted on a chaingang (like the others do) for ages- what’s the point? The ride never starts with racing as an intention and we often re-group so it’s meaningless.
The main reason though is to pin your training to something.
Having a goal event gives me enough focus to concentrate on getting better for many months at a time.
It’s noticeable that the guys that don’t race are the most annoyingly competitive on group rides.
What I don’t understand is why people race who have no chance of winning. Surely the whole point of racing is to win?
For me it improved my riding. The prospect of moving up from 49th to 51st place was often enough of an incentive to try a feature I would normally avoid (I don't know why but being in the 1sts was always incentive to try harder because you could make it into the top 50/40/30 although what difference that made I have no idea).
Also, you get to spend the weekend riding and chatting about bikes with like minded folk and you can sometimes pick up good ideas about what you are doing wrong or could do better (although there were always more bad ideas than good).
Apart from that, I like riding on race courses. It's about the only time I can ride without having the thought in the back of my mind, 'What if there's a walker just round this corner/under this blind drop/hiding in the trees waiting to attack like a drop bear?'
Same as @desperatebicycle. I used to do quite a bit, and even more running events, some of which I was even quite good at (I have a few medals at "local"10k races and such) but I didn't really enjoy it. I liked the social side of 12/24 hour events, I quite liked some of the training, hated the nerves, hated the races themselves, even if I did well at them, just decided to stop, no desire to do them now
No, never have and, for a few reasons, never will.
I’m not the most sociable person, quite introverted really, so social rides, events and races are something I’d rather avoid.
I’d much rather ride where and when I want to.
Like Scotroutes I get performance anxiety so racing and my desire to do well (I am competitive) would change riding into a chore rather than something that I enjoy.
I’m also never going to be at the pointy end and would rather not just make up the numbers.
I can see why people enjoy it, but their make up is different to mine.
No, can't be arsed/not good enough/expensive/don't ride enough anyway/too old.....
Also:
There’s also the paddock banter, the camping, the BBQ, the beers and the laughs with people
I'm just not good at this. In my group of friends I'm usually the loud ****t making a fool of themselves or doing stupid stuff, I'm quite quick witted and funny, the party starts when I get there!!
With people I don't know though, I'm dull as shit and don't like to interact.....
Spent years racing MTB & Cross & Road then kids came along and just didn’t have the time to commit to the training , so just enjoy the trails now but still like to put a few efforts in on the loops , however both the kids have taken to riding road in a massive way and picked up teams for this year so I’m still involved in training 😆
my desire to do well (I am competitive) would change riding into a chore rather than something that I enjoy.
This is certainly a danger - the feeling that you have to go out/go hard because it's part of the training requirement rather than just go for a ride/run for its own sake. It's a difficult balance and one I don't always get right. However, I do enjoy the benefits of the training, mainly the ability to ride/run for longer without the fatigue.
What I don’t understand is why people race who have no chance of winning. Surely the whole point of racing is to win?
Really? I think most people are more interested in beating their mates, or in my case just try to stay on the top half of the results sheet.
I am too old and slow. I did a few - ten under the ben, Sits, strathpuffer. I was rubbish.
the key thing for me was all but strathpuffer was rubbish riding - also not much of a team player so solo is best for me
I doubt I'll do another event now
Only if it’s somewhere I wouldn’t normally get to ride.
Even then the “race” element is secondary to the “ride” element.
I’ve been known to stop for a sandwich on long loop races.
I rarely ride the second loop of a multi-loop race.
#JustTurningThePedals.
If you're not at the pointy end, the top 5%, then you're just making up the numbers and forking out a shedload of cash for the privilege of supporting those who are at the top.
A mate used to ride the ixs cup. He was quick, but obviously not that quick, or quick enough. I think I'm fairly quick (or was) but I couldn't hang on for long behind him. He was spunking so much money on just getting to events, entry fees and bike bits that he was always skint and didn't have much enjoyment out of cycling. He chucked it in, started guiding transalp tours and fell back in love with cycling for cycling's sake.
If you like the social side then great, but trying to compete, with the risk of injury, financial ruin or both, seems pointless.
You yourself have admitted that you've spent thousands on getting your son to races. For you it's worth it and you're lucky you can afford it. However that money could just as well have been spent on many a holiday in the Alps or elsewhere just riding for the sake of riding without the stresses.
Each to their own, but trying to validate yourself through racing even though you're just making up the numbers seems a bit daft.
Yep. I cherry pick a few events I like the look of every year. Usually places I'd not be able to ride otherwise (Ard Rock, Graythwaite, Naughty Northumbrian) or places I wouldn't travel to to ride alone (Dunkeld).
I enjoy the whole event weekend vibe and find them to be very social and supportive. I go to most enduros alone but almost always end up riding with someone.
Even though I'm not competitive results wise (R&R says on average I beat on average 54% of my class), I enjoy the feeling of riding a trail harder than I normally would and getting to the end of a race day knowing I've given it my best.
Used to, Road, CX and XC.
Did reasonably well road and crit racing. But it took a lot of time and dedication even to be a mid level racer. I just don’t have the desire anymore……plus I’m 50 and now happy that my riding is just plodding, exploring and enjoying being out and about. My girlfriend has recently took up cycling and we’ve been enjoying the late spring and early summer just cruising around. When racing I’d be either training or resting so this type of riding just wouldn’t have happened.
The dedication needed is immense. Not just in terms of riding time, but training, diet, costs etc. I was fortunate enough to have a sponsorship deal with a manufacturer and a shop, but it still cost me a lot of money to race.
Just to add, I’m really glad I did race. At the time it was the right thing for me. I loved pushing myself to my limit fitness wise. There’s nothing better than being in a fast moving peloton, the sound, the buzz, it’s awesome. But I’m now equally glad that stage in my life is behind me.
If you’re not at the pointy end, the top 5%, then you’re just making up the numbers and forking out a shedload of cash for the privilege of supporting those who are at the top
Well you're actually supporting the race organisers, which is massively important as with racing numbers declining in certain fields, they'll end up folding without the support of the also-rans ? If only 3 people are racing, the events won't be going ahead.
I raced XC aged 16-18, I loved riding flat out trying to catch. overtake or just keep up.
I tried again 25 years later on a 22yr old bike. The other riders described my bike as cute ( it has 26" wheels) At 3.5w/kg I'm not unfit but too much of a diesel. The longest climb on the course was less than 5 minutes, I was getting dropped at the bottom despite being on the limit of blowing up, but catching people up by the top of the climbs only to get dropped again on the steeps, log rolls and drop offs that are much more difficult with old school geometry and 26" wheels.
I don't race now because XC is too gnar for me. I have time for 1-2hr events that rules out the easier courses offered by XC Marathon or even Gravel.
used to do lots of XC, 12 and 24hr stuff, then went all singlespeedy and have done events and races all over the world with some fab if somewhat alcohol dependant maniacs.
these days more than happy to strap a number on a still spin my little chubby legs as fast as they will go, it's just that it's somewhat slower then when I was a lean racing thing, now I'm more kung fu panda.
I enjoy having an excuse to train, which keeps me motivated and gives me a outlet to get rid of all the stressy stuff from work.
For me, the main thing I've learned is that I like interesting races and events with nice folks so I'm selective about what I do, rather than trying to pack as much in as possible, and if I can still kick the arse of few folks whilst on rigid single speed or fixie then it keeps an old tubby bloke happy
Its also given me some fab opportunities to play on, own and design some super spangly titanium and shiny things from various companies which has helped to keep the hobby of dicking about in some woods very cost effective
You yourself have admitted that you’ve spent thousands on getting your son to races. For you it’s worth it and you’re lucky you can afford it. However that money could just as well have been spent on many a holiday in the Alps or elsewhere just riding for the sake of riding without the stresses.
As this was directly towards us, i thought i'd respond. I really wouldn't like to count the costs we're putting in, lets just say that this month already i've spent over £500 in fuel/days/bits, possibly closer to £700. That'll go up by another chunk before the end of the month as we've got racing this weekend, then off to Bringewood, then Dyfi, add in 170 miles round trip on each and every Weds... well it stacks up yes.
There's a reason for this though and of course a 'goal'.... Which we may never reach, but we'll do our best trying to. We're both working incredibly hard at this and i don't put a lot of detail into his racing/growing thread these days like i used to, but the efforts from him, sponsors, team, coach are honestly mind blowing.. Let alone factoring in what me and his mother are funding/doing.
We have had the discussions of "Morzine or Nationals" and every time he picks Nationals and racing over 2 weeks in the Alps. He wouldn't thank me for a beach type holiday so that's not even in the discussions, but an Alps trip he would LOVE.. but deffo not at the expense of giving up racing. This is what he really really wants at the moment, so we do our best to support it.
Rarely.
Why not - Too costly in terms of both £ and time. Not sure i really want to drive for hours in all directions at the weekend.
But, when i do, I get really competitive and give it my everything. So i enjoy that side of stuff even if it doesn't bring out my best qualities.
In terms of progression and improvement, i ride with a club that has better riders in it than me. So trying to stay in touch with them at 52 is more than enough. No need to add in a stopwatch.
I am too old
Age isn't a barrier. It's an excuse. 😉
The main problem with starting late is that you find yourself "competing" against folk who've been doing it much longer than you.
I started entering a few XC races a couple of years before my first son was born (now 6). Used to love it! I was one of the few riders not in lycra. I'd usually start near the back thinking I should because I was fairly new to racing. Then get stuck behind people who clearly barely mountain biked before. Usually finished mid pack. Used to do the 1.5 hr races, 3 hr, and 4 hr, organized by Gorrick, and also the 6 hour Brighton Big Dog twice. Or at least the first time... the second time my partner and I had gone DIY for fuel/hydration which combined with a complete failure to pace myself left me done in at 4 hours followed shortly by puking. To be sure, I don't recommend fueling on hard boiled eggs (lol ffs) and drinking cucumber/celery juice resembling dirty pond water.
Having children changed all that. I couldn't maintain my usual riding intensity and if I tried it affected my mood too much for dealing with babies/children. Wasn't fair for me to continue to do impromptu 2 hour rides home on the way home for work instead of the 25 minutes it should have taken. It changed my whole approach to riding. Now they're 4 & 6 my riding is completely different. No longer a sin to pause and catch my breath on a ride! Having taken up learning trials riding I'm more focused on riding up/over/off obstacles etc. Barely used to flick an eyelid at a 35 mile XC ride, 20 miles now takes it out of me.
On the plus side I now have more energy for other forms of exercise which I'm really enjoying. Have always had a bit of a competitive streak despite being nothing special performance wise, so probably could get back into racing if time/energy levels allowed.
Nope to racing. For me:
1. Got nothing to prove
2. Cost
3. I'd rather ride the same trails with mates and have a laugh than in a race environment
All events I've done in the past have always been for the social side of things: SITS, 10UTB, SSUK, SSWC etc. I'm quite happy to do the social side and ride bikes and not bother with the actual race bit of it.
It's not that I'm not competitive: I am, just not like that. Mates races are brilliant even though I know I've got zero chance of winning, being mid-pack in our riding group. I was a (very) competitve swimmmer in the past and now that I'm back training I'm looking forward to competing in masters stuff.
I tried a load of enduro races but found I was really bad at getting in the zone when I had to, so I never performed as well as I "should" have done. I liked the atmosphere and riding new trails though!
If I was into XC style riding and wanted to train like that then I think I'd perform well (for me) because I'll take the pain but despite having decent fitness for downhill/enduro riding I just can't switch on "shred mode" under race pressure .
Might have been tempted to give it a go if I'd got into cycling besides commuting and simply getting from A to B earlier than 2017, but ultimately £££ would have been a restriction. At least on that front Zwift is relatively cheap, no travelling costs and little risk of bike damage.
trying to validate yourself through racing
Well that's definitely a thing for some people, but my problem (or is it?) is that I didn't give enough of a **** how well I did.
Not really anymore, I dabble occasionally with Vet category Wessex CX in the winter because it's fun, cheap and doesn't require loads of time (unless you actually intend to win, which I don't). I will definitely try to do some more this winter.
I used to Race DH occasionally (badly) the odd push-up Southern DH race and some of the old Dragon DH races, I wasn't very good, but it was fun, trouble is it got expensive, and then expensiver and felt a bit 'serious' for my tastes, then I had kids. I've not entered a DH race in over a decade and wouldn't fancy it now TBH.
I would like to try Enduro (I think I technically did an early one, the 2011 'mashup' at Afan) I reckon my bike is up to it, but can't help feeling like Enduro might be headed the same way as DH, pricey bikes and getting a bit 'serious' for nodders like me, and my fitness isn't stunning at present...
I suppose the obvious thing to try is XC and the Gorrick races are on my doorstep so that would make sense, the only really suitable bike I've got is rigid. Meh might be a giggle if I ever get a spare day to do it...
Riding bikes is something that I do for fun and mental health. Trying to beast myself on a predefined route with a bazillion other people around me is pretty much the antithesis of that.
Used to do events in the 90s and 00s but quickly realised that the only ones I enjoyed were those that involved a weekend in a nice place with a beer tent and some music and not actually having to ride at top speed or on the same bit of path at the same time as a bunch of other people.
I race cyclocross a bit - started in mid-50s. Hadn't raced anything before that (well, one kids' road crit that I hated)
I'm not interested in beating others (don't even sprint for the line) but I'm lazy too and need to be "made" to work hard now & then to keep fitness up. Races do that for me as there's always somebody to chase when you're a mid-pack duffer.
I also enjoy the atmosphere at the events (it's a big league, so lots of people around)
If I had the time to travel for mtb racing, i'd still use it better by "just" riding as I don't get to decent terrain very often.
1. I had enough of the effort of (being at the top of) competitive sport when I was on sailing youth squad.
2. It is more fun to ride for fun.
3. Cost.
4. Big gatherings based around a thumping sound system, commentators, comparing yourself to everyone else, cheap food, plastic tents and lines of VW vans leaves me cold. It is a very specific culture IM(limited)E.
5. I am an antisocial git these days.
Well you’re actually supporting the race organisers, which is massively important as with racing numbers declining in certain fields, they’ll end up folding without the support of the also-rans ? If only 3 people are racing, the events won’t be going ahead.
If only 3 people want to race then yes either prices go up or races fold.
But unless the organisers are selling something I want (unusual trails, places I wouldn’t see otherwise, local knowledge) then I’m unlikely to buy.
I do the odd sportive for exactly that reason - I’m paying someone to think about how to connect the roads / trails in an entertaining way.
Equally my wife seems to have entered me for the Ard Rock Sunday cruise “to keep our son company”.
He’s a much better rider than me at 17 and I’m somewhat nervous.
It's expensive and generally pointless as you hardly do any actual riding.
I'm never going to win, I'm not fast or commited enough. I'd rather have fun and ride what I want, when I want.
Racing is not about winning for me (although lord I’ve tried) but I really like having the structure of preparing for a race. Training is fascinating, do these horrid efforts to this pattern and feel awful but then find a few weeks later that you are suddenly up a level in fitness.
Then I went self-employed and haven’t been able to get back into the routine and I can’t fix on a goal. Oh dear. I miss it.
I suppose the few things I do enter I would like to chart some progress in, the trouble is that as I get older that increasingly means I should be training, and that's not something I've ever really done. I'll turn up have a go and if my fitness lets me down that's it, I don't really have the time/family setup to dedicate to a proper training/dietary regime, but can't quite shake the idea that if I did the physical prep when I came to race I'd actually do better. "The mind is willing but the body is weak" and all that...
That's a question, who actually "trains" I mean has a structured plan that they adhere to, with the goal of improving in whatever flavour of racing they might do? Especially as you get older and/or race less?
I did a bit in my early twenties but was crap. Ignored it until my early forties when i took up 'cross & was a regular last place finisher in the Yorks Series. 5 years later I'm training properly and a regular mid-place finisher. For me the impetus to improve my race results has massively improved the enjoyment I get from general riding. The notion that I'm actually getting better as I get older is massively alluring.
I did get lapped at a Yorks summer series race a few years ago by a chap called John Ginley, the then over 70's world CX champ, which was a huge motivation to get better. By my reckoning I've got 25yrs to get fit enough to win a world championship, doesn't sound too hard when you look at it like that.
Racing is my personal barometer of how I'm improving, but I can see that its not for everyone.
When I get to the point that the ability to improve at things that matter to me is no longer possible, I want to be able to say that I gave it my best shot (that also applies to family life & my work as well).
Bike racing - I do SSUK because it's fun, there's the odd bit of mid-pack overtaking but mainly it's a weekend away.
Boat racing - Despite an elitist reputation sailing is far better VFM. 3 days racing is frequently <£60 including camping.
More regularly though there's "They're not races honest." club runs, reliability rides, chain gangs and audaxes for the road cycling, and Strava for the downhill.
Well you’re actually supporting the race organisers, which is massively important as with racing numbers declining in certain fields, they’ll end up folding without the support of the also-rans ? If only 3 people are racing, the events won’t be going ahead.
It's a circular argument though. If you're not at the sharp end, why does it matter if the race goes ahead, you're just doing it to ........
Big gatherings based around a thumping sound system, commentators, comparing yourself to everyone else, cheap food, plastic tents and lines of VW vans leaves me cold
+1
When people say why I should go to ArdRock, I just hear a list of reasons that I don't want to.
I'd rather go to a proper festival and get on one like BITD.
I do - I do it because I like it. I like the style of riding (I like pushing myself and seeing how fast I can go), I like the social element of the bigger races, I like that it makes me fit and I like to see what I'm capable of.
I race almost entirely XC, and most of that is endurance stuff. I don't like structured training, but I absolutely bloody love riding my bike so I ride a lot. Apparently just enough to put me at the pointy end of a race - I've won a few and it's rare I've been out of the top ten. I got a bit complacent after my old racing partner was killed in 2012 and got up to 14st and wasn't enjoying day to day riding as much because I wasn't fit enough - getting back to fitness because I started racing again means I like riding my bike more. It's also entirely different to the riding I do day to day (other than the beasting yourself bit). It also means I'm fit enough to do other interesting challenges (West Highland Way in a day, Great North Trail from Yorkshire to Edinburgh in two, big 100km exploratory mountain bike rides). Crucially, though, I don't let it rule my life - I get the result I get, and I only do two or three a year.
I've race a few enduros. I like them but find it hard to justify them. I doubt I'd be like this anymore, but the pressure of beating my mates always meant I would do fine in practice then crash out in the race itself. But the races near my are on the trails I ride anyway, and for a lot of money - why would I spend £75 to ride in the Tweed Valley on my usual trails? I'm quick downhill but I'm never going to win an enduro, and I know which of my mates are faster than me down those trails.
Yeah, did race a bit in my 20s and 30s. Wasn't very good, but enjoyed it. Often singlespeed too, but not exclusively. Team 24hrs were fun, social events too, but that ended when 24:12 ended. Not motivated, nor have the time to race anything now. Tbh I don't ride that regularly now either, so when I do go out it's purely for fun. No training or anything like that. I did have a thought to do some enduro racing a while ago so did a mash-up. Trails were fun, but there was a lot of queueing. A big single-loop/ big day out enduro does quite appeal though so maybe I will do one of those one day.
I used to race Gorrick and Southern XC but packed it in a few years ago for a couple of reasons.
It seemed that the guys I was racing against starting taking it more and more seriously, something I just didn't have the time or interest in doing.
Entry fees started getting pretty steep for the races.
The Southern XC organisers handed over to some other guys and it just didn't seem to run as well after that, the same went for 24/12 as well.
I've thought about entering a couple of races again but really can't be arsed anymore.
I've tried a bit of CX in the past any enjoyed it so I'll probably aim to enter a couple of local league races this winter.
It’s a circular argument though. If you’re not at the sharp end, why does it matter if the race goes ahead, you’re just doing it to ……..
Yeah, I think if you just want an "Event" rather than a "Proper Race" to participate in, perhaps with a bit of a challenge to yourself (in terms of time or endurance) then Sportives/Gran-Fondos/Audax (both on and off-road) start to make some sense.
not paying to ride trails I can ride for free. money can be spent on other things.
who actually “trains” I mean has a structured plan that they adhere to, with the goal of improving in whatever flavour of racing they might do?
Me, at the moment - and for the first time ever.
Tried it a few times and never really enjoyed it. The day is fun, but 'cos of my asthma* I can only ever push to the limit of that and not to the limit of my riding, so there's just no real fun in it. I know I can do bits faster and I know I've got the ultimate capacity to do a lot better than I have done, but I physically can't because I'll keel over if I try, so it's simply an excercise in frustration.
*it's weird in that the blue inhalers do absolutely nothing for me, but seems to be that the instant I push above a certain threshold I just blow up completely, can't recover and have to stop, or have to really ride within myself or take loads of breaks. This is mostly fine on the very short tracks at home or just bimbling around, but absolutely no use in a race setting.
Well you’re actually supporting the race organisers, which is massively important as with racing numbers declining in certain fields, they’ll end up folding without the support of the also-rans ? If only 3 people are racing, the events won’t be going ahead.
True. But should we support 'because'?
There has been a huge decline in dinghy sailing over the years since I first sailed as a 14 year old. Clubs and races are just dying. Boats left abandoned, few new people coming in.
It is expensive in cost and time. It is exclusive. It requires car travel all the time. It is a massive jump from most of the fleet to front of the fleet. Weather massively affects it. It usually happens in rural areas away from population.
It has some parallels with MTB and MTB racing in my view.
Too much waiting around. Not enough riding. I dont like over exerting myself.
I'll go the the southern enduro open days at milland for a chilled ride around for some different trails to ride. Thats about it.
Edit. b1ke - Spend many hours at tidworth for £12 or so, less as I'm a full member.
Race - spend £40 plus for a few minutes of riding over the same time period.
Yeah, I think if you just want an “Event” rather than a “Proper Race” to participate in, perhaps with a bit of a challenge to yourself (in terms of time or endurance) then Sportives/Gran-Fondos/Audax (both on and off-road) start to make some sense.
I can see the appeal in XC, because there's always going to be someone you can play cat and mouse with or stick your elbows out to keep someone behind on the singletrack.
Even road TT's allow you to compare your own progress against a fairly consistent course.
Downhill/enduro though, you might see some progress against someone else if they're going the whole series, but with so many variables would you know if it was your training plan, their training plan, tyre choice, did they get a puncture, just got over a week of flu? There's an argument in there that the strava leaderboard at your local trail is actually a better measure even if it is +/- seconds rather than thousandths.
I could not think of anything more boring, I can't even watch mtb racing which I find just as boring.
I do a time trial every week. No idea why because they are misery and I’m pretty useless. On occasion I do win it’s because the fast guys haven’t turned up
im due to ride ten under Ben at the weekend, a rare off road race for me. Sounded like a good idea at the time of entry but if I’m honest I’m dreading it. Luckily my team are full of fast folks so we should do well in spite of my attendance
Riding bikes is something that I do for fun and mental health. Trying to beast myself on a predefined route with a bazillion other people around me is pretty much the antithesis of that.
Used to do events in the 90s and 00s but quickly realised that the only ones I enjoyed were those that involved a weekend in a nice place with a beer tent and some music and not actually having to ride at top speed or on the same bit of path at the same time as a bunch of other people.
This. Its all about the ride, maaaaannnn.
Best one for me was the Minehead Mondraker Gravity rally in 2014. We all took our families and kids, and it was full of people doing the same, and riding the course on whatever they had.
The event has moved to a slightly different nearby venue and has morphed into one of the Southern Enduro series races. It full of po-faced blokes in all the gear trying to be fast, look cool and taking themselves too seriously.
Thats fine but its not for me.
Not only but also, a friend who raced it last year reported that the trails weren't even that interesting so they could be made to run faster.
Did a few DH races waaaay back about 20 years ago - was involved in the Project Leeds stuff and they arranged a few races at Hamsterley back in the day.
Then did a few of the ST Classic Weekenders inbetween which were really good fun. Loved the format of those - a DH, some trialsy stuff and a XC race in the same weekend on the same bikes...
Then ended up doing some enduro stuff - Ard Rock a few years running, various PMBAs and Boltby Bash last year.
Can't seriously see myself doing anymore TBH. Its not a cheap thing and I'm pretty anti social... love riding with my mates but traipsing around the same trails as hundreds/thousands of other riders at the same time etc. Nah, not really for me anymore.
I like to race - do cross and TTs most weeks in season, odd XC and enduro race for fun. Would love to try road circuit racing at some point but prob missed the boat on that one - nearly 50 and don't think I could tolerate the crash risks.
Like people have said, it's a different dynamic, you make some strong connections with other competitors, gitting gud is awesome but comes with its own challenges. You have to accept that there's a limit to how much you can improve and the best amateur racers are strong AF in context, so finding progression is not always straightforward - varies a lot between disciplines.
Training can be frustrating - the turning the pedals part is the easy, rewarding bit. But anyone who's never done sport at a high level (most of us) probably doesn't have a great training constitution. I find it hard to sustain week in week out without getting derailed in some small way. The wheels never completely come off, though, so I manage enough to enjoy the racing I do.
Did a few, (Cannock Chase, some bizarre hill climb challenge near Middlesbrough) in my 20s but nothing since then (30years...). Life took over. I had contemplated doing the Boltby Bash this year but circumstances prevailed so it didn't happen. I think I was intending to do it, "just to see", but I also struggle to see the value of something like Ardrock, which is knocking on the door of £100 just to enter. I struggle to justify that, and the rest of the costs that would come with it, just on a whim and for the bantz, when you could go somewhere like oldskool MTB in Wales, get plush digs, fed and watered and ride to your heart's content and have as much craic as you need for probably the same overall costs*. The Dyfi thing on 1st June looks tempting, decent miles/£, but still 256 out of 300 places left?
Fair do's to the OP, following that tribulations thread he must have spent over £20K on his project to get his lad where he is, but that it simply not in any sort of contemplation or financial means for me, but I get that he has a bigger picture in mind so thems the choices. It's clearly not a cheap game racing regularly so with that, and maybe analysing how much riding time you get, it's just not worth it, or not worth the sacrifice for the majority if it's going to be mid-table mediocrity?
*I still do fancy a crack at an Enduro though, I have the odd decent strava result on a lot of local gnarly descents in Calderdale so I need to plan when I burst on to the Enduro scene for maximum impact.
I do (only Ard Rock/Boltby so far). I have no chance of winning but enjoy the weekends spent with a few hundred like minded people and the general good vibes.
I like to try and beat myself and over the last 8 years have gone from beating 13% in my class to 67% if I keep going i'll make a podium! (well I would if I wasn't nearly 53 🙂 )
Also - it gives me a reason to try and stay in some sort of shape..
For me, it’s a bit of a battle with myself to get better, to push harder
Theres your problem, right there. I'm with Homer on this one...
I race Xc every once in a while maybe 2 times a year..kind of enjoy it but I can't be arsed with training so I am never going to be any good
god no, might actual have to talk another rider and possibly a british one at that 🙁
I used to race in the Thetford MTB series, and a few other places, but then they stopped, and I never really got back into it and now I have other things going on.
Used to enjoy some racing when younger.
But now im nearly 50, more important things in life to do, I’ve got a knackered hip, and im never going to be the best so imo no point.
Prefer to just ride when I can
I think if you're in the right mindset then xc racing can take you to places mentally and physically that you couldn't go alone.
Cx bikes are way more fun when amongst a mass of other cx bikes fighting their way around a muddy course. Fact!
Do I still race? No, not really. Not prepared to train hard enough to be at the pointy end anymore and It's just too darn expensive these days. I can get my kicks for free by running at either a club track session or a parkrun.
That said I'll hopefully be bothered to race some cx again this season. It is really good fun.
I can't usually keep up very well with my mates, never mind a bunch of faster strangers.
Nah, it's interesting. I used to only be able to exercise with a bit of friendly competitive angle, things like squash. Never to a high level, I just liked to have a challenging game of something athletic. On the bike I've almost no interest in competing against others, I'm idly interested sometimes in pacing myself against my own PR but that's about it. And the idea of having to wait around a long time to only have a relatively short ride doesn't really appeal. That Ard Rock looks like it might be pretty good fun if I ever managed to get there, so maybe I'm not as completely against the idea as I think.
Not enough time. Nowhere near enough money. And probably nowhere enough talent/fitness either but it's the first two that precludes it for me.