[Closed] Too old to race XC?

Some of the 40+ I've seen race are faster than most of the younger ones! Nothing wrong with having a go at that age.

If you're in the north west, the Mid-Week MTB Madness is a beginner friendly race series. I'm sure there's a few other around the country though.

Just enter, anyone who judges you needs to rethink their life

Good luck, stay upright

Thanks @johnw1984

Just a case of turning up and having a go then? Nothing, other than pride and dignity of course, to lose really!

You're quids in. You don't have to race as far and once you hit 50 there's far less competition.

Well I think you have to sign up first 🙂

Honestly, no matter how slow you think you are, you won't be dead last. Literally all sorts have a go and there's a "non-points" category too.

And even if you are, but you enjoy it, then it's something to aim for.

Just enter and enjoy it.

Be aware of the categories though. In our local Gorrick xc Vet is for regular 40somethings, ie not super fast vets. In Southern xc Vet is for really fast vets and the best cat for regular 40somethings is Open.

And you are never to old.

I've been sort of pondering whether I might have a go at one of the Gorrick races. I'd be in what they call "Super Veteran Male" which is classified as for 60+.

I'm 73 so quite a bit older than 60. I've ridden the recently raced route at Area 51 and got round alright (but slowly of course). What concerns me most is that on narrow single track I'd keep getting in the way of other riders as they lap me.  But I'm tempted.

Just sign up and do one. (I did a CX race in my mid 40s, for several laps the folk on the start finish cheered me on with a hearty 'Come on old feller....' I was utterly f##### but thoroughly enjoyed it. Did a few more but then life and shifts got in the way.)

What concerns me most is that on narrow single track I’d keep getting in the way of other riders as they lap me. But I’m tempted.

It's not really a big deal. The disparity in speeds is so big that everyone knows how to deal with it. The quick folk can just nip past, the slow folk know how and when to get out of the way. People talk to each other too - so the fast people spot a place to get buy then say 'on your left please' or whatever, or they say something like 'can I get past when you're ready please?'

Letting someone past usually means just running wide on a corner or on a bit where the singletrack opens up slightly.

Like the others here I'd say go for it, did a CX race at 40 on my full sus and almost all other competitors jovial and supportive.

Did full SDW this year over two days and at just under 50 couldn't give a stuff what anyone else thinks or says, just wait to see what they do at my age 🙂

Go for it I say, have a giggle, try to race to not be last and then work up 🙂

James

Gorricks are very friendly. A quicker rider will shout 'rider' so you know they are there and will pass you with an 'on your left' or 'on your right' when they can safely do so. If you can help by giving some space on a wider bit of track then that will help. If not, don't worry, they will nip past when they can. The cats are grouped too so it will only be other regular vets or similar speeds at the same time. The vet + expert, sport etc are at a different time.

Unless you actually think your going to be in the top 3 you should not worry about it and dont take it seriously. Just enter and ride round for fun.

You should end up riding with a few other racers that are similar, and the enjoyment is the ding dong between you, not racing for the podium.

Only one person is going to win, the rest lose. So ride round for fun.

As has been said..just do it..

Riders wanting to pass are the ones responsible for making the pass.. Clearly don't hold them up on purpose, but if it's too tight for them to pass, they'll wait. It'll open up, or they can nip by off-piste!

DrP

48 this year, and would have been doing loads of XC and CX racing if it weren't for Covid.  Still managed a couple of events this year.  Just do it, go your own pace and enjoy it.  I'm nowhere near the quickest, but it's still fun fighting it out for 23rd in the open race

That's not old! 53 with RA here and I've done a few races in the past, brass monkeys and big dog etc. I'm never gonna podium but I like the competition. Oh and don't under estimate the 50's +. Man some of those guys and gals are fast!! Sadly the last race for me this year was in Feb.

As above just do it, no reason why you shouldn't. Set your own personal target and just aim to finish and with a smile.
I know plenty of riders in their 60's who are seriously quick so 46 is no age, I'm 50 and I'm happy to race from regional to international levels and will do for at least another 10 years.

Open/Fun race would be a good place to start and is only a 1hr race.

I started doing some XC races 3 years ago at age 50. Quickly dispels and delusions you may have regarding your own fitness. Real tough going but very enjoyable (20 mins after the race is over). I finished last in my first 3 races, I was happy just to finish. Dropped down a cat for a few races so was mid pack, a lot more fun when you're competing, as in trying to catch the rider up ahead rather than just watching them fly off in to the distance 🙂

Did my first XC race at 45, on a full sus. Done loads of racing over the years but had never dipped my toes into XC. Great fun and very friendly.
Learned an invaluable lesson....Maxxis Shorty and a 15kg bike are pretty hard work on the uphills on a bone dry July XC course....I learned how to swap my own tubeless tyres after that!

I started racing XC at 37 and entered Sport in the NPS. I managed a top 10 placing in every race against people in their early 20s.

Young folk don’t do XC do they? Thought it was all DH/Enduro these days for anyone under 45?

Happy to have you!

Gorrick is very friendly & chilled. We all know the score on passing each other & give fair warning. I’ve never had an issue either passing or being passed.

I’ve been racing Gorricks for nearly 15 years - started in my mind 30’s. Good organization & great courses. Last one was a cracker!..

If we are talking CX (rather than XC, which I don't know much about) then come to the central league - the vets race is rammed, I'm 56 and look like one of the younger ones. I'm also getting pasted by older riders, but also beating younger riders (on a good day!).

Another 'just do it!' response! I'm 46, been racing since I was 18 and love it, been doing Gorricks virtually since the beginning many moons ago. This is the best age group - we are very friendly - I would agree with all that others have said about passing, it's no bother at all, both passing and being passed. It's a great way to ride some cracking courses and sate that competitive spirit! At the end of the day, really you're racing yourself - go as fast as you can, leave nothing out there and see what happens - always cross the finish with a smile...

Our local cycle club formed 3 years ago, we have loads of 40/50+ members trying their hand at CX for the first time on all sorts of bikes, don't see why XC would be any different - try it for fun, see how it goes.

V60 me. Raced mtb and cross for 35 years. First time on an NT podium season just gone. Never give up! 😁

I did a couple of races in my mid and late 40s. 24 hr endurance solo twice and a couple of shoryter ones. I am no racer and I was rubbish - but it was quite fun and scratched an itch.

Pick the right events and it should be fine.

NOt sure how late into my 40s i started, probably early 40s actually and never reached more than Mid-pack fodder. But massively enjoyed them in a horrific wanting to die as that would be less pain kind of way 🙂

I've got an itch to do my first xc event too (just sub 40 with fitness level concerns!). Any recommendations for events near West Yorkshire?
Thanks in advance

I raced XC fairly regularly in my mid-late 40's, have participated in a few stage races, and even managed to win a B road race after a lot of training. I'm now keen on 24 hour races and long distance stuff, and was supposed to ride DK200 this year. Assuming all well next year and the US survives November hoping to get to Kansas in 2021.

But massively enjoyed them in a horrific wanting to die as that would be less pain kind of way

Pretty much any XCO/Crit racing goes like this:

a) I feel sick

b) I really, really can't do this

c) I'm OK now

d) How much longer FFS

e) Yay!

No matter what happens it all ends with a sense of euphoria.  Like many I start at 42, am now 48 and starting to move to the top 10 in the events that are right for me.  Looking back at an earlier me I'd say stop fretting about results, just do it, be part of it and see what happens.

By all means try XC as you can start at the back and gauge your efforts. If you’ve never raced, then jumping into CX might be a shock - unless you’ve been doing maximal effort intervals and learning to suck air through every orifice as you go into oxygen debt after 10 minutes 😉

Maybe look at the 6 or 12hr races as well
With age you should have more endurance and a wise head. So you can wind your neck in and go steadily fpr longer
I have done a few gorricks, ayte, 24/12,torq in your sleep, mayhem
Its. Gonna. hurt, alot. You womt be fast.
You will wonder how the fast boys can corner so well on slicks
You wont win
But you will enjoy it afterwards

just enter and if you stick at it I bet you will look back and think wow them first few races were the best (even tho they could well be a huge learning curve)...you can't not now...what you gonna do say "oh I thought about it once but then talked myself out of it".

All the years I've been riding ive never though of ensuring a race. Ever.

Now this thread has got me thinking.

As always said because it's so true, it's not the things you do that you regret, it's the things that you don't do.

Anyone know what races go on on the SE by any chance?

Sorry for thread hijack op!

Depending on which bit of the SE then Gorricks as above would be ideal for dipping the toe in.

Yes I'd agree ferrals. The gorrick would be a very good way of having a go. Their courses are really good and mostly well drained even in the winter. Also the Brighton Big Dog is a really good one day event which is usually held in August. I wish I started racing alot earlier than I did. Now intend to make up for lost time!

I'll just add that big dog has a one lap timed cat' which can be good fun and way of finding out if you like it or not but I believe it's very late in the XC season.
Mind you next years season and dates may look different what with the current situ.

I've raced most seasons for about 10yeara cx and some xc (mostly regonal)...and nothings come close to the fun of that first and second season when everythings new, no pressure, making friends...you must. And you'd be surprised at the diversity of racers...you'll find people racing for all manner of reasons.

I personally feel you can't beat the dynamics of a cx race. Especially when its a weekly thing...seeing the same people each week and planning how you can get one up on the little group of racers you'll find yourself in.

Another +1 for just give it a go.

Re passing. The ones that will moan and complain about passing are usually racing for about 36th place and any delay you create will be minimal anyway. I've never really had any issue and I've been passed loads of times (it's best part of 10 years since I raced mind) - and Jon Gorrick is quick to admonish anyone reported for "impolite passing" anyway, the less pointy end of the race cats is for fun, not prizes and he wants everyone to enjoy it.

And those where a delay could be significant, the properly quick ones, seem to be able to teleport - a cheery "passing when you can please" from behind and without you doing anything they then reappear in front of with no more evidence that they passed than a breath of wind.

I'd say definitely do it - if you can find a series that's running

Did my first ever race at 52, cyclocross, fwiw. Deliberately started at the back to keep out of the way and then also got to overtake a few, which made it feel nice. I'm a settled lower-middle duffer and have never finished a race without being lapped. Nobody cares about your speed (except those who're about the same and trying to race you)

I've only ever seen one tantrum which was a rider who really failed to get out of the way vs someone desperate to keep ahead of his chasers. Messy, that 😉

Is 46 middle age ?

**** ! how long does it last till it's old age ?

how long does it last till it’s old age

Over 60 for Supervet, so probably at the upper bracket of Supervet.   There is no upper limit...  😀

**** that, I'm closer to 60 than 46 ! lol.

I'd like to officially declare that old age starts at around 85.

I just bought ****ing Hi-tops last week ffs !

I've raced a couple of local enduro events, pedalhounds etc. always mid-pack fodder at 49. Never thought of XC but if it's ok to plod around at the back then i might. Sounds like Gorrick is a local series for me (Hampshire based), but only have a biggish trail bike, would that be ok with a change of tyres or is it all lightweight hardtails?

I'm 48 & my XC bike is 25 so fark it, I'll give it a go.

The Gorrick races are really good, friendly and well organised. They always have very good courses and make the most out of the area they hold the races in. Nothing too gnarly. I should do more of them as I've enjoyed my few previous efforts.

I'm mid forties and I'll never ever win one and that does not bother me one bit. You'll always find people of a similar pace to you and then you tend to end up in a mini race with them, well if you're competitive you do anyway. The open category is good but can have some quick people at the front. I tend to not see them for long though.

Trail bike will be fine. I've seen all sorts, from full on race carbon hardtails to DH (as they were 10 years ago) bikes. Even singlespeeds 😉 but they never did very well because all the ladies would congregate around them obviously and stop them doing proper warm ups.

Have a word. That's not old these days. Won my last race at 53. They're fast, but you'll just get lost in the moment.

As it stands are there any XC or CX series running? Esp in the North West?

Lots of encouragement in this thread, but a difficult time to act on it...