Right,
Just to do something different I thought I might enter round 1 of the Southern XC series.
It looks like there are three classes I could go for
Fun
Open
Masters
At the moment I'm reasonably fit, but I've not really raced before (one race a decade ago).
If I enter Masters will I be last?
Fun looks too short at 2 laps
What's the standard like in open - at least you get three laps.
Any advice gratefully received...
I was in the same boat as you 2 months ago, went for Open which was Sport or summit for the soggy bottom series, rode as hard as i could (however looking back could have ridden a little bit more) came in 16th, looking back was great fun fast pace etc, but thinking I might have had more fun if I had done fun and would have got a top 3 imo. But don't think it would have meant anything... if you see what I mean.
Done a few races in the past and probably will again this year.
Probably same as you. Just fancied giving it a go. Great way to push your limits every now and then
You will not be last in Masters unless you have some technicals.
Personally I would go for Open and see how you go.
Alternatively do what I do and pick the race time that suits best (assuming there is more than one race?)
fun - it's usually cheaper, you won't win it anyway, there's always some quite serious looking racers in Fun who clearly shouldn't be. and if you're not tired after your 2 laps can'tseeanyone stopping you doing an extra lap 😉
All 3 have a massive range, the top of Fun and Open is usually really quite fast, with either young 'uns or pot hunters, then at the back there'll be some people who are literally half the speed.
Masters is now full of former Elite riders who obviously go very very fast, but it does tail off quite quickly. At Southern XC you'll find the fields are fairly small, and because it's BC sanctioned all the quick Masters will be there. I still doubt you'll be last, if nothing else, a few will retire with mechanicals etc.
If I were you, I'd do Open, 3 laps is the nicest distance I reckon!
I would have thought this was obvious. It's a race, and winning is everything, so enter the category that you think you're going to do well in. Unfortunately Fun and Sport are usually full of people with the same idea - assuming you're not already female, have you thought about getting a sex change?
super clyde 😳
Isnt Masters an age group? 30-40 or something?
Open, I'd say. It's now the biggest one (ime) and it has people who are just having a go, instead of people chasing series points.
At the Ringwood one last year there were 90 ish in Open and about 15 in Sport and Master...
Cool thanks everyone.
Yes Masters is 30-39, but I was rather assuming that as he's considering it, he's in that age group.
The thing is to just enjoy it, like I say, if you finish, you won't come last, generally at least 5% of people don't finish!
A general tip with XC racing: You'll feel like death the first time. It really is extremely hard work without a break. Riding as hard as you possibly can for an hour and a half is difficult. However if you do a few and keep it regular, you'll start to learn to cope with it and it'll become much more fun 🙂
I would'nt dismiss the Masters though. You did say it's the same distance, not that the distance will be an issue and you will feel like you've just raced afterwards.
If you plan to do some more then deffo masters, but then it depends on what you want out of it. I'd rather register fast lap times in Masters and come second last than slower ones and come 4th in sport.