A good first mtb race?

T

TAGfan

New Member
So I've been biking relatively consistently for the last year or so, and I can help but think I want to try and enter a race somewhere in 2012. Never done one, so I'm curious if there are any that would be good for a newb like myself.
 
Where do you normally ride? As in what kind of terrain? Best race would be one at a park that fits your strengths riding style wise.
 
Honestly you'll have the most fun if you do one of the races at Stewart.
Singlespeedapalooza if you have a single speed, or can borrow one.
Darkhorse 40, yes, you can do 40 miles, it's a LOT easier there
Stewart Super Six pack, yes you can ride for 6 hours.

But yeah, Lewis Morris is an easy course, but it's very fast and very competitive.

You can also try one of the short track races in the spring at Allamuchy.
 
as luke points out, if you are in any kind of shape, you might want to skip to cat 2 and get your money's worth (longer course)

just be aware that if you race 1 race in cat 2 in H2H, you cannot downgrade .. the stewart races and the mtbnj.com races don't matter though since they are not part of H2H
 
The Kittitanny TT might be good for you. It's basically a race against the clock and the best part is its early in the season do you can see what you got in the tank and if you like racing. Its 7miles so set a time goal at like :45min and go out and get it.
 
Nice - thanks for the responses. I need to check out some of the links and find a good listing of the when's and where's of mtn races.

I don't really have a category yet - usually ride up and down baldpate, which for me is a good workout - at least going up.
 
Chainsaw's idea is a good one to see if you should be Cat 2 or 3. You'll see where you fall time-wise.

I started with L-M, Kitt, and Neshaminy (MASS race), all of which were good rookie spots.
 
I think there is a race in monmouth cty that is beginner friendly. Someone has posted about it here before, I don't recall the name.
 
Just do it....

I did Tymor last season as my first bike race ( CAT 3 oldster ), the CAT 3 course was easier than the CAT1/2 course and it was pouring buckets so likely many folks passed on it. Never rode there before and it quickly became a mudpit for which my tires were all wrong, no worries.....

The biggest plus for Tymor is was very early in the season and it got the "First Race" over with early enough to be able to pick and choose from the rest of the season. ( KVSP and LewMo were both fun and non-technical enough for me )
 
bigW said:
I did Tymor last season as my first bike race ( CAT 3 oldster ), the CAT 3 course was easier than the CAT1/2 course and it was pouring buckets so likely many folks passed on it. Never rode there before and it quickly became a mudpit for which my tires were all wrong, no worries.....

The biggest plus for Tymor is was very early in the season and it got the "First Race" over with early enough to be able to pick and choose from the rest of the season. ( KVSP and LewMo were both fun and non-technical enough for me )
Click to expand...

Only problem is that this years first H2H is Blue which may make the first time racer race a tad bit overwhelming and tymor is the last race just saying...

edit I misread I was thinking Tymor was the 1st race it was waway last year, either way KVSP and LM also Taconic 909 are your easier H2H races...

I say jump into the short track series every saturday in March for 40 mins of pain...
 
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Monmouth Co. Park System race referred to earlier is called Woods Hollow. It happens in or around August so it may be a bit late for a first race. Info is generally posted on MCPS website.
Ed and Pat Gifford
the Snot Rocket tandem
 
the woods hollow race is very low key... the beginners race is 9 mi and the sport race is around 13 mi or so... i think they are holding it in Nov this time around...
 
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