Cross-country racing is an precise look at of a rider’s properly being, abilities and psychological fortitude.
As one amongst many oldest race disciplines in mountain biking, cross-country is often thought-about the geeky older sibling to downhill and enduro racing.
Nonetheless, XC racing has merely nowadays seen its inventory rise, with the appears to be like of more durable tracks, unimaginable bike tech and tight racing motion.
Nonetheless what precisely is cross-country racing? Why will we predict it’s so good? How will you should have a go at XC racing? And what do it is necessary get began? Be taught on to look out out.
What’s cross-country mountain bike racing?
Olympic cross-country
Not like downhill or enduro racing, trendy Olympic cross-country racing (often often known as XCO) is a mass begin occasion, the place riders full laps of a observe. That is superb for spectators, or any household and mates you could want coming alongside to check out, due to they get to see the riders a wide range of occasions.
A typically cross-country race observe will often embody some climbing, descending and flatter singletrack sections. Lap measurement will differ from race to race, nonetheless 4 to 5km per lap is pretty frequent.
Every race may need a set variety of laps and first all by way of the freeway wins. The variety of laps you full will rely in your age and expertise. Prime elite riders will do mainly most likely probably the most laps, typically six to eight, with the final race measurement being spherical 90 minutes. Newbie, or youthful riders will do fewer laps, with races lasting anyplace from 30 to 80 minutes.
There are generally two technical/feed zones on the course, and that is the place riders can purchase mechanic help. For instance, alternate/restore a flat tyre, or seize bottles and race meals as they fly by.
These zones are the one locations riders can purchase help on track, so throughout the event you occur to get an unlucky puncture merely after a technical space, you will have to stroll (or jog, throughout the event you’re very match) all the best way during which by way of which to the next technical zone.
As you’d depend on, the primary rider all by way of the freeway is the winner, and in sure races, prime placings enable riders to assemble rating components. As rapidly as sufficient rating components have been acquired, a rider can swap as quite a bit as the next class, the place the races could also be longer, with a further aggressive house.
All through the UK, the British Biking class system for adults begins with Sport, then strikes as quite a bit as Educated and finishes with Elite.
Marathon occasions
Marathon occasions are mass begin races very like Olympic cross-country, nonetheless happen over for for for much longer distances. This may be anyplace from 40km, all the best way during which by way of which as quite a bit as 140km for the hardest occasions.
As rapidly as as quickly as further, the course will embody a mixture of climbing, descending and flatter singletrack. Nonetheless, due to prolonged nature of the course, these climbs and descents can usually be for for for much longer – anyplace as quite a bit as an hour throughout the event you’re racing someplace similar to the Alps.
Marathon races typically embody a single lap, nonetheless usually races can happen over a lot of mid-distance laps, for instance, three 30km laps for a complete of 90km.
An similar to shorter XCO occasions, there could also be technical/feed zones the place you possibly can excessive off on meals, drink and cope with any mechanical elements. Though, due to XC marathons cowl longer distances, riders will often be further self-sufficient and carry some spares with them.
What’s so good about cross-country racing?
Cross-country racing is an precise look at of your all-round performance as a mountain biker. Not solely do you need the pliability to cope with descents, you furthermore should be match sufficient to race full gasoline up the climbs on the equal time. Some mountain bike educating will not go amiss.
Collaborating in XC races is awfully thrilling since you race elbow-to-elbow with completely totally different riders. And whereas the begins may be slightly bit nerve-wracking, everytime you’re contained in the mid-race groove, the sphere begins to unfold out and quiet down a bit.
Cross-country can have a standing as being a reasonably ‘excessive’ self-discipline, nonetheless from BikeRadar’s expertise, we’ve discovered the scene to be terribly good and inclusive, considerably at native occasions.
Riders are frequently glad to produce some pre-race suggestion, and it’s commonplace to see households racing in quite a few classes all by way of a race weekend.
Lastly, cross-country races can take you to some stunning and scenic locations, so that you just simply on no account know the place it’s potential you could find yourself throughout the event you begin to division out earlier your native occasions.
What kind of bike would you want for cross-country racing?
On the newbie stage, it’s advisable to make use of any mountain bike in good working order for cross-country racing.
So when you should have a path bike or enduro bike and fancy dabbling, you possibly can flip up, pay your cash and race. (It’s frequently price checking with the organiser throughout the event you want any further documentation ahead of you do flip up).
Granted, a path bike will not be as quick an XC race bike, nonetheless it’s the suitable approach to supply the self-discipline a attempt ahead of you identify to upgrading your devices.
Hardtail vs full-suspension
For riders attempting to purchase an correct cross-country bike for XC racing, there are two selections: a hardtail mountain bike or a full-suspension mountain bike.
We’ll rapidly cowl the professionals and cons of each correct proper right here, nonetheless for extra data be taught our devoted in-depth purchaser’s information to cross-country mountain bikes.
A hardtail solely has suspension on the doorway, combining that suspension fork with a inflexible rear. Hardtails are generally lighter and simpler to keep up up due to there’s no refined rear shock to fret about.
They’re furthermore often further pretty priced than a full-suspension bike of the equal spec.
A full-suspension bike has suspension on the doorway and rear, combining a suspension fork on the doorway with a shock on the rear. This makes them further environment nice – and confidence-inspiring – when descending as in contrast with hardtails, whereas furthermore being further cozy.
The draw once more is the additional suspension provides weight they typically want further time/cash close to upkeep.
What works largest for you could principally rely on the place and what you need to journey, coupled collectively collectively along with your expertise stage.
In case you get pleasure from driving and racing on technical terrain, then a full-suspension bike may most likely be the best way during which by way of which to go.
In case you need smoother, quite a bit a lot much less technical driving with a wide range of climbing, then maybe think about a hardtail.
Funds has a element to play, too. Riders with a wonderful higher funds will typically select a full-suspension bike, whereas these on the lookout for further pretty priced selections will most actually be best-suited to a hardtail.
Nonetheless, it’s price contemplating that whereas the bike may make a small distinction when racing, what actually counts is your properly being and experience stage, so don’t get too hung up on what kind of bike you could want. The best riders might be equally surroundings pleasant on each.
What else would you want for cross-country racing?
As quickly as further, at a newbie stage, you don’t want tons for cross-country racing. A every day bike helmet and biking gear you’re cozy driving in could also be advantageous for a serious attempt.
As factors get further aggressive, it’s potential you will have to dip your toe into the world of clipless pedals and sneakers, Lycra clothes and XC-style helmets.
These are all designed to make you a bit quicker, further cozy and extra environment nice, which can hopefully get you higher up the leaderboard.
As we talked about ahead of, your properly being and expertise on the bike will lastly resolve the place you end.
Race spares
By way of spares, it’s a terrific suggestion to take your standard travel-size instrument package deal deal or saddle bag to a race. This may assist with any minor mechanical elements you could want on the day.
All by way of the precise race, many riders furthermore carry a CO2 canister or mini-pump, merely in case they get a gradual puncture.
Furthermore, don’t overlook just a few vitality gels or your hottest present of carbohydrates since you’ll be burning a wide range of energy all by way of the race.
Racing licence
Lastly, within the occasion you need to race in an occasion organised by your private residence nation’s federation, then it’s potential you could appropriately want a racing licence. All through the UK, you will uncover further particulars about racing licences on the British Biking web site on-line.
At smaller races, it’s potential you could not want a race licence, nonetheless it’s frequently largest to test ahead of you flip up on the day.
The place can you uncover XC races close to you?
All through the UK, British Biking is the only place to start out. You may uncover further data on the British Biking web site on-line. The menu helps you to filter the state of affairs and type of race you’re after.
Smaller, native races may need their very private web websites or Fb pages, so a fast search for occasions in your space may do the trick. If not, ask at an house bike retailer, or maybe converse to some native XC riders to see what’s about.
All that’s left now’s to sign-up and get began.