[Closed] First Race Nerves

If you don't get the jitters, it would just be another trail ride 😉

Once you realise 1000000x more people will be impressed that you've had a go than will care where you finish, then you can free yourself up to enjoy it. Racing is addictive mind you.

I love the idea of doing a few enduros, but I'm more worried about holding other racers up than I am about entering. All got to start somewhere I know but that's whats stopped me thus far.

That's also a concern of mine, saying sorry about 40 times down the run as I'm mincing round another corner.

I did my first event just the other week, not an enduro - Crossmountain, came second last in my catagory, got out of the way of quicker riders and generally sucked it up but enjoyed the day and the event and keen to do something similar. Go for it.

Been racing years and still get nervous. Don't forget you've paid the same as everyone else, ride your own race, be aware of faster riders but that doesn't mean you dive off into the undergrowth ! Fast guys will always be able to overtake safely. Above all enjoy, we are all amateurs no matter what some think..

Used to get nervous before a race,natural really, but what's the worse that can happen, you may crash, you may come last, [b]but[/b] then you may not, you'll have a laugh and you'll think pfft, what was all that about.

Enter and enjoy it.

My first few (XC) races saw me getting overtaken by small children whose race started sometime during my second lap. Not the youth riders, these were U12s!

Fortunately after a few goes I got 'fast' enough that I was spared that indignity - or maybe they just changed the scheduling 🙂

Anyway - as already said, no-one really cares if you're a first-timer, we've all been there. Best way to improve rapidly is to race - good luck!

I don't nervous at MTB endurance events. I did at Beastway, and I'm already getting nervy about road racing at Hillingdon in January.

Dunno why...

Dunno why...

I get the same thing. Possibly because the start isn't so important in endurance events as it is in shorter races, the pace isn't so high and you've got more time to make up for any mistakes?

Can't comment on road races though as never done one.

Being passed is no worse than at a trail centre, in fact racers are more polite. There will always be someone faster than you but there will always be someone the same level or slower so don't feel intimidated. Just ride with a smile, be polite. if you are battling someone of similar ability you'll be amazed where the extra energy comes from to keep them behind or over take.
Do it, the positives far out way the negatives. I didn't do my first race until well into my 40's so imagine how rubbish I am compared to other "veterans" who've been doing it for years. When you line up on the start next to Terrahawk you know it's gonna be tough, but I wasn't last that day!

Just get on with it and enter, the nerves are half the fun!

Every time i get within about 15 feet of a start gate at an enduro i desperately need a piss. As soon as my run starts, that's it, we're off!

It's bloody marvelous.

Don't worry about being caught, just tell the people behind you that you might be a bit slow and ask them to give them a bit more time at the gate.

I lost about 30 seconds last saturday, catching someone that had started over a minute ahead of me - no worries though, she had a race, same as me 🙂

Don't worry about holding people up, you won't get caught or catch much generally and on most tracks you'll be able to get out of the way almost immediately, and it's up to the rider behind to let you know they're there (though the onus is definitely on you to shift!). Everyone catches someone or gets passed sooner or later too so don't be negative about it.

If it's seeded (which is pretty uncommon) then that'll more or less take care of itself, if it's not then generally just placing yourself towards the back of the starters will take you away from the fastest and most enthusiastic riders- this is also where the best chat is ime.

Even if you're last, you're still ahead of all those who didn't enter.
Just have a go.

Is this common behaviour?

Yes, nerves are common.

The good news is you will deal with it better once you've got a few races under your belt! Also, few things make you ride outside your comfort zone than a race.

Good luck.

Also, even if you're competitive, hardly anyone does well in their first race. Greg Minaar got overtaken in his first enduro 😆

Here's my (xc) take on this.

Nerves are good - shows you think this is important ( in a bike riding sense). Key is to turn them into a useful bit of impetus. So focus on race, the key components, the start, how hard are you going to go, the first tricky bit, the line you have dialled already etc. The passing bit is something that will happen - see above, but really don't let that put you off your race.

Racing is great though, as you really push yourself. And it's really addictive. You usually finish wasted, but then think that this bit or that could have been better, so you are immediately keen to get to the next race. Good luck and enjoy it!

Do it, and take the advice from the folk above. I've done some where I've been (very) close to last, and some where I've been firmly midfield; so I've done overtaking and being overtaken lots. It's fine, don't be a dick and generally other folk won't be either.

More importantly, urban enduro? Where? That sounds ace!

So focus on race, the key components, the start, how hard are you going to go, the first tricky bit, the line you have dialled already etc. The passing bit is something that will happen - see above, but really don't let that put you off your race.

Racing is great though, as you really push yourself. And it's really addictive. You usually finish wasted, but then think that this bit or that could have been better, so you are immediately keen to get to the next race. Good luck and enjoy it!

+1

I sulked on my first every road crit after coming 35th and last. One of the marshals asked me whats up. I explained that I trained all year only to come last in the lowest category of bike racing.

He not only took the time explain about everything else I had to learn but also reminded me that there were 50 starters, AND I'd ridden (as it turns out at max HR) for the whole hour plus 5, whereas 15 other couldn't hack it.

Just do it, the more you do it and learn the better you'll become and however you feel during the race, you will have a massive grin on your face.

How about all you STW veteran racers, did you have jitters before your first?

I think I'm worried about going arse over tit in front of a load of people. Part of it is an "urban enduro" so the ground will be rock hard too. Literally.

Bit far for most I imagine!

It's in Trujillo which is about three hours drive from central Madrid.

It all looks quite easy and since my other half is from that part of the he world and I'll be visiting in laws the week of the event I thought I'd go for it.

Here's a vid of last years event.

Crashes in front of people are the best crashes. You get a cheer, a round of applause if you get straight back up, and if you break yourself you'll get help faster- what's not to like? Don't waste your crashes where nobody can share them!

I'm quite prone to falling off and I think the thing I'm most worried about is pushing it too hard and stacking it spectacularly which will hurt a lot and may damage my bike on the granite paving slabs.

I've had a couple of inexplicably sleepless nights before big races, despite not being that competitive and not consciously thinking I was all that bothered or anxious.

Just go for it and don't worry about holding people up especially if you

Yes it is definitely normal to be nervous just don't let the adrenaline get to you. Also it may help if you do some timed sessions before a race on your local runs with your mates.

I dunno, could be a fun holiday...

As you get older are increasingly few things you can do for the first time (that you want to!)

You only get one first XC race - take that feeling of incipient terror and treasure it!

So... First race over.

I came in around the bottom third of the table (not sure though as I had to rush off before the results were announced), got passed loads (though by the fastest guy in the over 40s) and had a great day.

Couldn't sleep the night before and made loads of mistakes on the day that could have been avoided with more practice time but hey.

Overall very pleased with myself. I got through the day only taking one tumble and a knock to the shin from my platform pedals but nothing serious.

Will definitely be racing again in the future even if I am a mincing softy.