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A few things worry me. Am I too old at 40? Will I have the piss ripped out me when I come last? Will I make a tool of myself with loads of folk watching? Im not very competitive either and I dont really know why I want to race but I am keen to see how I hold up with others. Ive not been into DH for very long but I seem to do allright at Inners. Anyone got any advice? Is there a racing bug that bbites ya after yer first couple of races? Suppose its just a lack of confidence really. As usual all help appreciated.
I got into DH racing aged 50 😉 love it, the Vets is well relaxed and friendly - do it you'll love it!
Thanks cyclelife.
You'll be fine, just enjoy yourself. After the winner, positions don't really matter anyway.
Get lots of armour, and take it easy.
As my son says, "Dad, remember you've to drive us home later"...
Lol,lol,lol! Plenty armour already and its well broken in!
Aye, we're a friendly lot, even tell each other the fast lines 😀 I started when I was 33 and I'm still enjoying it after 17 seasons.
Inners are doing some winter DH orientated races Jan - Mar which would be a good Intro for first timers. http://www.innerleithenmtbracing.com/
I raced once. I came last after crashing. I vowed never again.
I raced again. I came last after crashing*. I vowed never again...
Despite making a complete tit of myself both times, it was actually good fun. I just made sure I was aware of the faster bods behind me, and didn't take it too seriously.
*technically I beat one person. He got a puncture and walked down.
What race are you looking at? Think I'll be doing the Alpine winter series one- not really my cup of tea tbh but I want to do both enduros so it'd be nice to complete the set. Be my first "normal" DH race, also my first DH race with a DH bike. WHich I suppose means I've been doing it wrong til now 😛
Yeah I quite fancied the Inners enduros but my fitness aint up to it just now due to stupid long hours and I wont get a chance to train. I like Inners. I havent raced anything but that enduro style does appeal can you do just the DH section of this race or do ya have to do all 3 parts to it?
allway's remember that if you came last that you have an entire field of riders that are happy that you filled that spot. 🙂
🙁allway's remember that if you came last that you have an entire field of riders that are happy that you filled that spot
Go for it, however before you enter your first race do a few uplift days on the course this will teach you the lines.
It's good fun, if you feel that someone will catch you up you can sometimes ask for the rider behind to wait another 30 seconds.
It can be superb fun but at the same time quite frustrating mentally, a run can feel fast but turn out to be slow.
When I first started out I found the Jumps quite daunting, the key is
practice practice practice. Good luck
bigthunder - MemberYeah I quite fancied the Inners enduros but my fitness aint up to it just now due to stupid long hours and I wont get a chance to train
Training, har har 
It's a hard day in the saddle but just riding your bike really. You do need a decent basic level of fitness but that's all. I guess there's nothing to stop you just doing certain stages but it does seem a shame.
Many thanks for all the replies.
I have a couple of friends who are in your age category - one only started racing about 2yrs ago (he did BMX as a youth), and I'm sure he's just been offered a place (as Vet) with SPS... his name is Glen 🙂
We get plenty of Vets to our timed days, maybe about 20% of entries- its more fun than competitive, everyone eggs each other on, offers advice and rips the p155 in equal measure.