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Race tips for first timer
I am attempting my first race at the Capital Punishment 50km later this month and wanted to get a better idea about what happens at the start if anyone can give me some tips.
Is it a bit of a sh!t fight? What do i need to add to my checklist? Does everyone take off like a rocket or just cruise away? Is there generally a bike lock up area so you can leave your bike there the night before or not? Can I show up and just go with my wave (as long as I am registered)?
I am also still getting used to clips instead of peddles and while I can negotiate places like terry Hills and Manly Dam More, technical runs are a challenge so can I expect good single track or some solid technical sections?
I know that is a lot to ask but thanks for any advice.
Cheers
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Register the night before. It makes the morning a lot less hectic/stressful. You often get a electronic timing ankle tag in these events. So I don't forget it in the morning I will strap it onto my bike frame after registration. Zip tie your race number onto your handlebars and you're good to go.
On the morning you technically should turn up early to listen to the riders briefing. Then slot yourself into the right wave. Be realistic about where you think you go as it can be annoying to constantly overtake if you are in a slow pack or constantly pull over if you are in a fast pack. As far as I know there isn't a bike lockup area.
During the race you will pass people and people will pass you. If it's wide firetrail then it's no real issue and you can just ride on by. However in the tighter singletrack you will need to call "track" when you want to pass. The rider in front should then look for a suitable spot to let the person through. When this is suitable the rider in front should say "on my right/left". Just be polite and patient. It's inevitable in large events that there will be congestion in the tight tracks.
Make sure you have any spares such as tubes, chain links etc. But that's no different to any normal weekend ride.
Sorry I can't comment on how technical the track will be.
Agree its best to register the night before if you can.
Rego this time is in a hotel in Civic, not sure what parking is like on a Friday arvo / evening.
How relaxed the start is depends on where you put yourself in the start bunch (up to you whether you want to be conservative or optimistic) and a bit on the track you are starting off on - the recent DW has a few km's of tar road, then dirt road, then two wheel track before any interesting terrain, so everyone gets reasonably sorted out without too much hassle. If the start for the CP 50 is into single track reasonably quickly, it can be a bit of a battle, followed by a traffic jam, followed by a slow train through the sniggle (unless you're up the front).
Its generally desirable to get there for the rider briefing, but its usually repeated for each wave and often contains not much more than is in the pdf sent out before the race, so don't stress too much if you're running a bit late.
Don't know much about Kowen Forest, but if its anything like other ACT mtb tracks, it will be flowy rather than technical. Still haven't seen a map, but you probably will need to factor in a big climb towards the end - the main track at Stromlo goes up Stromlo over about 6 or 7 kms and while it is very rideable, it will be tough if you've toasted your legs before then.
Good luck!
have been describing the start is usually a open area where the fast riders usually are up front, then it might turn into single track within a km . I think this ride might start at Sparrow & finishes at Stromlo i'm not quite sure yet.
Good questions 'homerj' , i too am a first timer to this and wondered the same things.I am also running clipless which i've only had for three weeks now,but i'm just gonna go for it.!good luck mate , hope to see you somewhere in the pack, i"m in the veterans.
Thanks guys for your tips, very helpful and just what i was after. I hope to meet a few NoB Mobbers down there as well VC, I am running in Masters I think, can never quite remember.
Good to see the video footage from last weekends ride, it was a big help as well.
Unless you're aiming for a top 10 placing or so, don't get too hung up on the start. Just hang back and enjoy the vibe and remember there's still 50k's to go!