New Zealand Adventure Sports
New Zealand Adventure Sports
Mountain Bike Events - Ten Tips for Beginners
By Karl Check
Mountain bike events can be a great way to ride a part of the countryside you wouldn't normally be able to access and provide an opportunity to meet like minded people. Undertaking your first event may be a little daunting but rest assured there will be other first timers and plenty of support on the day. Here are ten tips for riding your first event taken from my own personal experience of riding and being part of a support crew. Take note of these and you will not only complete the race but actually enjoy it as well.
Try to train in similar terrain and conditions to those which you will experience on the day.
Get your bike in for a service at least a couple of weeks before the event to give time for any major repairs. You don't want to waste all that training with an avoidable gear failure on the day and bike shops can't be expected to turn around a significant job with a couple of days notice.
Ensure your bike is properly set-up for you. Bike shops or sports physios can help with this. Riding a poorly set-up bike at high intensity for a long period will cause you back or leg problems that will take a while to recover from.
Start using energy bars and drinks (including recovery formula) during your training so that your body becomes used to them. Don't suddenly start using a new product on the day from one of the onsite sponsors. Your body may not be used to it and react badly.
For longer rides use a chamoix cream or vasoline to reduce chafing. One of my friends goes by the "if it moves vas it!"
Organise a great support crew to help you get ready, cheer like hell during the event and be there to help you recover at the end of the race.
Get to the event early and go for a warm up ride to get rid of nerves, stretch the legs and undertake final checks on the bike.
Make sure you know the course and don't rely on those ahead of you to be taking the right turns.
Ride to your own pace and don't be tempted to blast after the pros off the start line. Also ride to your own ability in any technical sections.
Have fun, smile lots and banter with your fellow riders - you never know when you might need their help!
Karl Check writes for Perweek, a New Zealand online retail business that allows you to finance your purchases. If you are riding in New Zealand or thinking about coming out for a holiday you should read Karl's [http://www.perweek.co.nz/mountain-bike-events/]Mountain Bike Events page. The page has links to some of New Zealand's most popular mountain bike races. http://www.perweek.co.nz/mountain-bike-events
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karl_Check http://EzineArticles.com/?Mountain-Bike-Events---Ten-Tips-for-Beginners&id=1145744
Mountain Bike Events - Ten Tips for Beginners
By Karl Check
Mountain bike events can be a great way to ride a part of the countryside you wouldn't normally be able to access and provide an opportunity to meet like minded people. Undertaking your first event may be a little daunting but rest assured there will be other first timers and plenty of support on the day. Here are ten tips for riding your first event taken from my own personal experience of riding and being part of a support crew. Take note of these and you will not only complete the race but actually enjoy it as well.
Try to train in similar terrain and conditions to those which you will experience on the day.
Get your bike in for a service at least a couple of weeks before the event to give time for any major repairs. You don't want to waste all that training with an avoidable gear failure on the day and bike shops can't be expected to turn around a significant job with a couple of days notice.
Ensure your bike is properly set-up for you. Bike shops or sports physios can help with this. Riding a poorly set-up bike at high intensity for a long period will cause you back or leg problems that will take a while to recover from.
Start using energy bars and drinks (including recovery formula) during your training so that your body becomes used to them. Don't suddenly start using a new product on the day from one of the onsite sponsors. Your body may not be used to it and react badly.
For longer rides use a chamoix cream or vasoline to reduce chafing. One of my friends goes by the "if it moves vas it!"
Organise a great support crew to help you get ready, cheer like hell during the event and be there to help you recover at the end of the race.
Get to the event early and go for a warm up ride to get rid of nerves, stretch the legs and undertake final checks on the bike.
Make sure you know the course and don't rely on those ahead of you to be taking the right turns.
Ride to your own pace and don't be tempted to blast after the pros off the start line. Also ride to your own ability in any technical sections.
Have fun, smile lots and banter with your fellow riders - you never know when you might need their help!
Karl Check writes for Perweek, a New Zealand online retail business that allows you to finance your purchases. If you are riding in New Zealand or thinking about coming out for a holiday you should read Karl's [http://www.perweek.co.nz/mountain-bike-events/]Mountain Bike Events page. The page has links to some of New Zealand's most popular mountain bike races. http://www.perweek.co.nz/mountain-bike-events
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karl_Check http://EzineArticles.com/?Mountain-Bike-Events---Ten-Tips-for-Beginners&id=1145744
posted by Robee Dobee at 10:42 PM
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