The number of enthusiasts increasing, today we meet many sports events linked to the universe of Mountain bike . This is the reason why more and more mountain bike races are organized in our country, and more and more cycle tourisms discover its attraction.
These timed mountain biking hikes offer the possibility of testing your physical capacities by comparing yourself to others, testing in landscapes of different reliefs, and better know our limits in order to push them away.
During these races , we have the opportunity to compete, without really being. We can taste what we feel when we are part of a peloton of more than 50 people, experimenting with the feeling of being applauded by an audience by passing in a small town, receiving a recovery massage at the end, and Finally, we can get closer to what can be the atmosphere of the cycling of our idols.
In addition, this is a good opportunity to make new friends, see old acquaintances and tell an infinity of anecdotes.
However, and despite the fact that the level of experience of runners increases each year, there are always new participants who do not necessarily know how to behave during these races.
This is why, on continuation, we offer you a series of advice to take into account during your first experiences of mountain bike raid :
- Departure : Only people who claim to actually play the competition game should position themselves on the leading peloton at the start. The other people who wish to test their limits without hoping for the first race must place themselves between half and the end. In other words, the less you are trained, more You will have to place yourself backwards. As a rule, know that a person who trains 3 or 4 times a week should be placed at half of the group, on departure.
- Look for your group : it is easier to put yourself in the right group when you have already acquired experience in old races. However, advice to place you would be that of trying to observe the legs of other runners in order to find those who have roughly the same morphology as you.
- stop to refuel : the stops are beneficial, especially at the beginning, when you are still fresh. Take the opportunity to take food and restart quietly in order to catch up with the group with ease. If you are well trained, you may no longer need to stop much later. For the others, it is important to stop at the points that arise on your way, every time you feel the need.
- Don't forget hydration : you will have to take two gourdes with you, and try to never run out of water. In a race, no one will be there to help you out if you stop off the refueling points.
- catch up with a group : do not try to "chase" a group larger than yours which precedes you in the race. Rather let yourself be caught by those who arrive from behind: you will spend less energy and it will be easier for you to finish the race.
- Don't prick a sprint : make a 20 -meter sprint you force you to use as much energy as driving at the same rate for 5 km. In the races, it is better not to drive at 100% of your abilities, especially if you do not know the course or if you know that what happens will ask you for energy, which is not uncommon in Mountain bike races...
- ride at 50 % of your capacities : in the first two thirds of the race, it is better to drive to 50 % of your capacities and keep your strengths for the last third. At that time, it will be easier to manage your strengths according to what you have left. Test: start quietly and observe how much speed leave and end exhausted along the way.
- efforts : Always at least go. It doesn't matter if the people in your group go to the front like arrows. They may quickly get tired (and they are supposed to have about the same forces as you left together at the start). Try to keep a regular rhythm. Look for a person with whom "discuss" a little during the race. It will distract you and help you keep an adequate pace.
- always regulate your rhythm : If you feel good, don't force yourself. If you tire, simply slow down. Stay behind and do not try to exceed people who are as tired as you.
- team : As you leave for several hours in the company of the same people, create a little group spirit! Even if it is impossible to talk a lot, do not hesitate to launch a little comment or a little joke.
- Do not break the teams : If you see the group of the same team, do not cut it if you do not intend to integrate yourself. This could embarrass the smooth running of the race.
- Respect the environment : Do not throw your waste on the ground, or the races will eventually be prohibited. The lack of respect is unfortunately still too present during sporting events which are intended to be friendly and respectful of the spirit of this outdoor sport that is mountain biking.
- Be noble : Do not hesitate to lend a hand if you see a person in difficulty. Do not hesitate to encourage people who find it difficult to move forward during the race.
- Be polished : you will make the course easier for you and for those around you.
- security : Always wear your helmet for obvious security reasons.
- To finish, respect the highway code : Remember that traffic remains open!
You will understand, a good raid mountain bike , is first of all the mind and sports values , Self -exceeding Then, and finally, the competition .
In this news Year, train with your own mountain bike or with rental mountain bike now in your region!
