Racing 101 -- A look at mountain bike racing for the newcomer.

Only the very strong, supremely skilled, and extremely aggressive mountain biker should consider racing. Each racer needs a sponsor, such as a bike store or parts supplier. You'll also need a special bike, because the typical mountain bike is too heavy to race. A racer must be at his athletic peak, around age 21 to 25, and (of course) must be male. Constant training is required to maintain the required level of fitness.

Still here? Well, every statement in that first paragraph was bull. Here's the real story of Mountain Bike Racing 101 --  information for the newbie. Racers may be started in a large group, or in smaller groups by individual racing category. For example, here's the Men's 50 to 54 Expert at the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George.

Who can race?  Mountain biking -- even racing -- is supposed to be fun. So mountain bike races are divided into categories of gender, age, and ability. First year you've tried to race your bike? No problem. You'll ride in the beginner category. 43 years over-the-hill and don't want to ride against young punks? You won't. You'll race against riders in the 40 to 49 age range. Porked on a few pounds last winter? Enter in the Clydesdale category, where you only compete against riders weighing more than 210 pounds. Anybody can race and have fun doing it.

Why race?  Racing makes you a better rider. You can improve your riding skills more in a single race than in six months of casual riding. Why? A race focuses your mind and floods your neural synapses with adrenaline. This makes your brain learn more efficiently. As you hit every turn as fast as you dare, pick the best riding lines, and make moves you didn't think you could, the race environment makes your brain pay attention, so you really gain skills. And racing gives you a goal, even if that goal is just getting a better time than your neighbor. Knowing a race is coming up, you'll eat better and train better. Every mountain biker should try an occasional race. Checking in. Plan to arrive early for the race. At left, Hog Hollow.

Who organizes races?  Some of the best races for a beginning rider are local community-based. For example, Alpine has a mountain bike race during "Alpine Days." Highland has its "Highland Fling." Park City has the Tour des Suds. These races are filled mostly with local riders -- your friends and neighbors. How many people show up for these races? Maybe 40, maybe 100. Ask at your local bike shop; you'll find there's a community-type race nearby. Then there are the biggies -- the major races. In Utah, that's the Intermountain Cup series. These races are populated with riders from all around the state. Each race has a sponsoring organization -- usually a bike shop. Sample locations: St. George's Green Valley, Snowbird, Five-mile Pass, Wolverine Ridge. As many as 400 riders may show up to race.

Hillclimb (HC): A hillclimb is usually a "time trial" race. Riders are started individually, a few minutes apart. There's no drafting, blocking, or teamwork. It's just you against the mountain. Downhill (DH): Like the hillclimb, the DH race is a time trial. Riders head downhill alone, trying to get the fastest riding time. A DH race often involves tough stuff like ledge drops and technical rock. Freeride (FR): A freeride race is like an extreme DH, but with the addition of points for stunts. On the FR course, there are "gates" -- areas where the rider must clear some insanely difficult technical spot. A judge at each gate awards points for the gnarly-awesomeness with which a rider travels through. The winner is determined by a combination of points and overall time.

What are the racing categories or classes?  While not every race will offer every possible age and ability category, there are basic classifications. First, there are separate classes for men and women. Then comes ability: beginner, sport, expert, and pro. Now age: less than 18, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50+. Finally, there's the special Clydesdale class, for riders weighing over 210 pounds. This classification system dramatically reduces the number of riders who are actually competing against YOU. Out of 200 riders, only 12 may be in the Men's 40-49 Expert category. (The Pro and the Clydesdale categories usually don't have an age breakdown.) The race course, and the number of laps, may vary for different categories. For example, Experts may do three laps around a larger loop, while Sport riders may do two laps or take a shortcut that eliminates a more difficult area of the larger loop.

Who's in Sport versus Expert?  Riders declare a racing class when they register for a race. The Beginner category is for first-season racers or occasional racers. In local races, "Beginner" means those who rarely ride a bike but want to ride with their neighbors in the community race once a year. Rain or snow, the race must go on. Bring gear for any weather! Meet new people, hang with the pros, get some swag...

Did you say Prizes?  Prizes are usually awarded in all categories. For example, prizes may be awarded to the top three Men 30-39 Beginner, the top three Men 30-39 Sport, the top three Men 30-39 expert, the top three Women 30-39 Beginner, etc. That's a lot of chances to win something. Most races offer bike gear and gift certificates to the winners. Sometimes winners just get a certificate, but there may be some goodies raffled off. When a race organizer refers to "depth," he means the number of places that will receive prizes or ribbons. If awards go "six deep," it means prizes are given for first through sixth place.

What does it cost?  The typical community bike race has an entry fee of around $15 to $35. Usually, this includes a t-shirt. In regional races, the entry fee is a bit higher, usually $35 to $70. Often, bike gear prizes and gift certificates are provided free by a local bike store. Races aren't held to earn money, they're done for love of biking. A time trial means each rider goes alone, riding against the clock. The Frozen Hog.

Paperwork?  You'll need to sign a waiver that says you won't sue if you get injured. Some races require a NORBA racing license (community and intermountain cup races do not). You can buy a one-year license (usually right at the racing location), or a one-day permit that costs about $5.

For example, some races allow you to pick up a fresh water bottle, but don't allow you to borrow tools or tubes. Knowing this stuff is important, because a team that makes one rider the "mule" to pack parts and tools, and has water bottles waiting at the top of the big climb, has a significant advantage over a rider who packs everything with him.  Riders check the "leaderboard" where their time slips are organized in order of finish. Different colors denote different racing categories. Five-mile Pass.

What are the unwritten rules?  In general, the golden rule is: don't mess up somebody else's chances of winning. Don't block: If another rider pulls up behind you on a long downhill singletrack, get to the side and let them by. Sitting in front of a faster rider is called "blocking." It may be part of your strategy to hold back a faster downhiller, knowing you can outclimb him on the next hill. But it will give the blocked rider major road rage -- especially if you're a newbie, he's an expert, and you're costing him a chance to win. Don't draft across categories: If another rider isn't a teammate or a direct competitor in your riding category, don't draft them. (Drafting means riding extremely close behind on fast sections, so the front rider is actually doing some of the work of "pulling" the rear rider along.) If you're gaining an advantage, while slowing down a rider who really isn't competing with you, you're not being fair. Don't endanger: Running another rider into the brush while they're trying to pass you is the height of jerk-hood. If you can't play nice, don't show up.

How can I prepare?  The race course should be marked about a week in advance. Go ride it, a couple of times if possible. Make sure your bike works, but don't do major changes or overhauls just before a race. Register for the race in advance. (You'll have enough to worry about on the morning of the race.) Know the course -- plan what cog and chainring you'll use for major climbs, identify problem areas, and know when the next "passing zone" is coming. Alpine Days race.

What happens on race day?  Arrive about an hour early. You'll need to pick up your racing number, and (if not already done) sign the liability waiver. You may have a stiff cardboard number for your bike (as in the photo above) attached with twist-ties, or you may have a floppy number to pin to your back -- or both. Take a 20-minute warm-up ride. Be back in time to listen to the pre-race briefing. The course may have been changed since you pre-rode it. Be sure you know how many laps are required for your riding category -- in community races, you'd be surprised how often this isn't really decided until 5 minutes before the race. Then ride your heart out. 

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