| By Mr.Andrew Caxton | | | | information of the other members of your club. You |
| Just like we work with dedication towards any | | | | will thus not only learn more about mountain bike |
| challenges we take up in life, similarly mountain biking | | | | racing but also about various races and the locations |
| races require effort and dedication. A lot of | | | | where they are held. Preparing yourself for the race |
| preparation is required to ensure that your biking | | | | As mentioned before, preparation of your equipment |
| adventure concludes safely and successfully. | | | | should be an important part of you pre-race |
| Participating in a mountain bike race is a tough and | | | | preparations. Basic equipment like shoes, money, |
| demanding commitment and requires advance | | | | extra clothes for a change and towels should be |
| preparation. Since these races can be extremely | | | | packed and kept ready. Also to be considered is the |
| competitive and dangerous, it’s important | | | | possibility of changes in weather that you may to |
| that you put enough time and effort to get yourself | | | | experience during the race and equipments to match |
| ready for the competition. An individual aspiring to | | | | probable weather changes should also be packed. |
| participate in the mountain bike race should ensure | | | | Practical Tips to be adhered on the Day of the Race |
| that his actual preparations involve becoming part of | | | | It is not only important to have your equipments |
| mountain bike club, taking steps like checking on the | | | | ready for the day of the race but it is equally |
| biking equipment, researching the track and getting | | | | important to get physically prepared as well. For |
| information to help him face the possibilities during | | | | instance, you should hydrate your body by drinking |
| such events. Membership of a Mountain Bike Club | | | | adequate water before the race and also have a |
| This is an essential step towards your goal of | | | | breakfast high in carbohydrates. Breads like bagels, |
| participating in a mountain biking race. Joining a | | | | waffles, pancakes etc. are high in carbohydrates and |
| Mountain Biking Club can prove beneficial to you. A | | | | are ideal to be eaten for breakfast before |
| few benefits are that you get to interact and learn | | | | participating in a strenuous sport like mountain bike |
| from other biking enthusiasts. You will also benefit | | | | racing. Once the necessary physical and equipment |
| from their training methods which will include a trainer | | | | preparations are done, the next task should be of |
| or companion who will ride with you on actual trails | | | | mapping the track to safeguard yourself from |
| thus providing the necessary practice and experience | | | | eventualities. Mapping helps you to be aware of the |
| that you may require before participating in the race. | | | | type of track you may have to ride on and help you |
| If you join a Mountain biking club then you become | | | | get ready to face tracks with loose gravel, water, |
| accountable to the other members. Being accountable | | | | pot holes etc. The final step should be doing a few |
| to other members will encourage you to give your | | | | warm up exercise which will help your blood |
| best each time, to focus on your goal and will always | | | | circulation, muscle loosening and toning of your body |
| keep you high spirited and eager for your training | | | | to avoid serious physical injuries. |
| sessions. Thus the accountability aspect can be | | | | Andrew Caxton is a journalist who writes |
| advantageous to you in the long run as a mountain | | | | newsletters on bike economical for . You can find |
| bike racer. Another significant advantage is that you | | | | more information and resources on road bikes at his |
| will be able to share the experience, advice and | | | | website. |