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Unless you’re sponsored to race I can’t see the point. You spend weeks beforehand making all your rides training rides, sapping the enjoyment. If you don’t manage to get a ride in on any given week you feel miserable ‘cos you’ve not been ‘training’. And then when you do race you find you aren’t as fit as you want / need to be and with the realisation that you’ve just spoffed £50+ ‘racing’ somewhere you could otherwise go for free!
As someone who is 'sort of' sponsored, in the sense that I get most of my entries paid for, and given kit, I'll respectfully say, the above is b*locks.
None of my rides are 'training rides'. I just go out and ride my bike. Sometimes I'll do the odd hard effort up a hill, sometimes I'll try hard down a trail, then I'll cruise a few for fun, but I'm not doing it to be better at racing, I'm doing it because it's fun, and I like going fast on my bike. About the only conscious decision I make when it comes to training is, I won't go to the gym a few days before a bigger race, because I don't want to suffer, unnecessarily. And to clarify, by training, I mean going to a ghetto gym, which I would do regardless of whether I rode bikes competitively or not, mostly because I don't want to be fat and unfit.
I get grumpy when I don't ride my bike, not because of training, but because I like riding my bike!
I think some people like the concept of competitive sport, and other don't, which is fine.
None of my rides are ‘training rides’. I just go out and ride my bike. Sometimes I’ll do the odd hard effort up a hill, sometimes I’ll try hard down a trail, then I’ll cruise a few for fun, but I’m not doing it to be better at racing, I’m doing it because it’s fun, and I like going fast on my bike.
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I get grumpy when I don’t ride my bike, not because of training, but because I like riding my bike!
I think some people like the concept of competitive sport, and other don’t, which is fine.
I agree with all of that, riding bikes is fun and entering a race/spoffing £35 is a way for me to have a proper go at something with medics there to pick up the pieces in case anything goes wrong. It's good for narcissistic photo opportunities too, I spent most of the second run at the Hamsters TT this year trying to do decent jumps for the cameras #podiumbedamned 😆
First off, well done OP for having a crack! From what you and others have said, it sounds like it was a pretty tough course.
I have only just started participating in Enduro events myself this year, doing 2 rounds of the Southern Enduro Series. I say 'participating', because if you saw me riding them or looked up my times, you wouldn't call it racing!
I've given it a go beacuse it give me a chance to ride places I wouldn't, or couldn't, normally ride and it's completely different to my regular style of riding, where it's all about doing a nice loop, rarely covering the same ground twice. In just these two 'race' outings I've leant much, mostly about myself. The most important being to not worry about times and competing but just to relax and have fun. As StevoMcD said in his post, there are only and handful of riders there in with a chance of winning anything. They are all probably taking it (maybe too) seriously, so by relaxing and just having fun out there, you may have a more enjoyable time than those on the podium. ;0)
Put it down to experience, you won’t be the only one that has felt like this, sounds like you’re being too hard on yourself.
Try to think of it as a ride out with your mates, rather than a race against other people and just forgot about everyone else.
I’ve done a couple of the PMBA’s in the past, some sections on them were quite out of my depth, at the time, despite being totally rollable, however, the banter and support from the marshals and people watching just spurs you on, no one is judging you, it’s all about mudding your way through and having a laugh while your doing it, if you’ve got the fitness and speed as well, bonus!
Besides, if everyone rode at the same level, it would be a pretty boring event…that’s what I tell myself anyway!
One thing I meant to add - I know a few people in both mountain biking and snowboarding (particularly snowboarding) who ride and/or coach at a VERY high level. Like get paid to go filming in Alaska or had Olympic success level.
They are all full-on affected by doubts. Even some who outwardly appear incredibly confident, completely untouchable, are constantly doubting themselves and getting stressed.
Never think you're the only one who gets this feeling. Everyone gets it.
I'm sure all your problems could be fixed by a new shiny bike, probably.
a few from cmbc did it. It sounded a lot tougher than expected by a lot of folks. Dont be too hard on yourself.
I’m sure all your problems could be fixed by a new shiny bike, probably.
Ha thanks for trying to plant that seed Phil! The bike was much more capable than I am so despite the diddy wheels I'll be hanging onto Goldmember for a while yet
My dropper didn't survive too well though, smashed the remote on my thigh when i went over the bars and there's now a lot more play in the saddle than before. Currently eyeing up drilling my frame for a shiny new stealth post
I'm tempted to do the same (drill frame) when my current dropper dies.
Handy page i've stored for when i do; https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/drilling-a-steel-hardtail-for-a-reverb-stealth/
and this grommet to fill the hole;
EDIT: I don't suppose any of these spectacular crashes were caught on camera? Not that i like to laugh at others misfortune.
You spend weeks beforehand making all your rides training rides, sapping the enjoyment. If you don’t manage to get a ride in on any given week you feel miserable ‘cos you’ve not been ‘training’. And then when you do race you find you aren’t as fit as you want / need to be and with the realisation that you’ve just spoffed £50+ ‘racing’ somewhere you could otherwise go for free!
Horseshit.
Funnily enough i have that same bookmark saved, plus this one http://forums.mtbr.com/turner/stealth-mod-drilling-holes-your-alloy-frame-917427.html
Ask Nic to send you the vid she took of the of the guy hitting a tree on stage 5!
Should have come across and said hello. I've met a few strangers in car parks over the years 😉.Maybe at the next one
Unless you’re sponsored to race I can’t see the point
For me its riding trails and landscape I wouldn't be able to otherwise. Racing against your mates and having a laugh about sections that were crazy ass shit, and yes actually putting your self out of your comfort zone because after, you have a great sense of achievement.
Perfectly put Darren.