For races, what equipment is absolutly essential?

[legoshoe]

Since this will be my first year in a race, I'm just wondering what equipment you guys (and gals) absolutly have to have for racing (certain clothes, accessories, even food). And also what can you have, but you'd survive without?

Also, how well is everyone staying motivated through this winter with their training and such? It been such a horrible winter, not enough snow for winter activities, and usually too cold to spin the tires.

Just wondering,
Travis
Albert Lea, MN

[Burke]

For racing, there are three things that I can't race without: my bike, my shoes, my helmet. After that, I can wing it. At some point throughout my racing 'career' I've been without each. It sucks driving 3 hours to a race and finding that you left your backpack with your clothes/shoes/helmet back at your house...
:mad:
Since then, whenever I leave for a race, regardless of how far away it is, I ALWAYS count front wheels, double check shoes, and helmets.

If I'm driving a long way, or making a weekend out of it, I will bring two sets of clothes to ride in, just in case I rip my shorts or something else happens.

If it's a longer race (over and hour), I will bring something to snack on during the race, powerbar/banana/etc... Also, if you have the luxury of your friends being around, I bring extra water bottles that I fill and give to them to hand to me as I go by on different laps. Hauling an extra 2 lb. water bottle around is worth avoiding if possible.

After the race, I usually plan on having really comfortable clothing. Sandals, shorts, t-shirt, etc... Nothing is worse than being stuck in riding clothes longer than you need to be (well, maybe forgetting your riding clothes in the first place)...

As for staying fit in the winter, I haven't had much luck recently. I have been busy with 'real' life, and haven't been motivated to stay fit through the winter for racing season.

The best racing season I ever had was in college. My roommate and I were pretty strong riders, and really close to each other in ability. Neither of us wanted to let the other win, so we would always push each other to our limit. We kept busy on the trainer, and would get out and ride despite the cold weather. The following summer, we dominated the racing scene. In the races we entered, we were both always top 5 in the expert category, and more often than not, one of us would win.:etard:

It's been downhill ever since.

Good luck with this year!

[jaybird]

Last year was my first racing season and I can say I learned a lot from the first race to the last. Just as Scott said previously, make sure you have the bike, the clothes, and the helmet - it REALLY sucks to get to Duluth, Red Wing, etc and find out you simple left your helmet in the garage.

One of the things I eventually did was get a large storage tote for all my gear - xtra tires, tools, helmet, spare parts, tubes, and bottles. That way all my stuff is in one spot and I can make sure I've got any of the extra's I need with me.

The other thing was, I eventually got a 3 gallon water jug. I fill the jug with water from my home and bring it with to the race. That way I'm not caught off guard with some funky tasting water at the race that may taste bad or upset my stomach. Plus, after the race I can wash up a little bit to be a little presentable after the race and/or the possible long drive home.

As for this winter and staying fit - two words - I haven't. It's been exactly like you said, too cold to bike and not enough snow to x-country skiing. The early races this year are going to hurt! :p

[jeffgude]

At the starting line it's pretty easy to see that there are 2 distinct groups, water bottle people and camel-bak people. Some riders have no problem reaching down to grab a water bottle in the middle of some bumpy singletrack. I am not one of these, I've fumbled numerous water bottles while rolling down a stretch of smooth asphalt. (It really sucks when you drop your water bottle, then run over it with your rear tire, blowing the lid off and losing 3/4 of your water out along some deserted road.) For me the camelbak was a godsend.

[jaybird]

I've used both a camelback and the water bottle for races, with mixed results from both. I'm a heavier rider - clydesdale class - and have had problems with the camelback in warmer weather. With the pack on my back, I've had problems keeping cool during the July-Aug races. The best thing I've done was keep a cooler either at the start/finish line or somewhere else where I can switch out bottles during the hot/humid races with fresh cold water. Otherwise when I'm riding/training with friends I ALWAYS use my camelback - the Camelback Rocket to be exact. Best one I believe out of their product line.

[Burke]

The thing I like about water bottles is that you can get new ones handed to you so you don't have to carry all the weight at once.
The downside to bottles is that you can get them knocked off of your bike, or dropped out of your hand. Depending on the length of the race, this can be catastrophic... (Especially if you're miles from anywhere, and you drop your bottle and ride over it sending your water everywhere)

One of the funniest memories I have of racing back in Michigan was working the water station at sport level race. One rather ample clydesdale rode by on a full suspension cannondale Super-V. I forget the exactly model number, but it was black with orange decals and an orange triple clamp fork. It was a heavy XC rig. Anyway... One of the local shop owners was working the water station too, and he remarked that the large guy probably wouldn't be around the next lap because the camelbak was going to send him into heat-stroke (it was 90+ and sunny). Definitely a funnier when there moment, but still true.

That said, I do have a camelbak, and use it for longer rides when I need the extra water capacity, and food/tool storage.

[SickBoy]

I'm more in Scott's camp on bottles. I like them a whole lot better than carrying the 'Bak every race. I like getting a handup every lap of a nice, ice cold bottle of water and/or sports drink.

For multi-lap races (e.g. races that have been part of the MNSCS) this usually is a pretty good way to go if you can scrounge up someone to do your handups (man, I need a girlfriend :) )

I think the only race that I would have used my Camelbak for last summer was the Chequamegon 40. Unfortunately it was lost in the depths of my parents' basement....

[dennis porter]

I would add that you should bring a good attitude and just have fun. There are more and more people racing today that feel they are leading the Tour De France. Ride hard, have fun, and don't be a wanker. Oh ya, pack your stuff the night before the race. If you like me your always running late in the moring.

[Paul Bunyan]

I saw a guy finish once without a front tire or tube. He had traveled a long distance and wasn't about to get a DNF. Absolutely Necessary?

Saw another finish without a seat. OUCH! Absolutely Necessary?

How about a sling? Felt really bad for a guy that had to drop out because he had a broken collar bone. Absolutely Necessary?

These guys had a good attitude.

dennis porter is certainly right on the attitude. Most of us riders are hacks out to have a great time and pretend that we have some athletic ability left. I've seen the sport riders that get totally pi$$ed off when they get caught up in a mass start. Wankers! Cripes, if you are that good break out from the beginning or race with the experts. If these types ever blew a tube they would heave their bike into the woods foregoing any need for "absolutely necessary" equipment. I see MTB races as large competative group rides where the race is in the first two to three and the last half mile or so.

Bring a friendly personality. MTB racers tend to be from the loonier segments of society and thus are great folks to talk to.

Bring some Moist Towlettes and pit sauce; nobody wants to sit around an awards ceremony with someone that reeks like he just finished an 18 mile race in 95 degree heat.

Other than the above... The more crap you have with you the better. Mountain biking is hard on equipment. I would hate to have driven a long way only to have some part on my bike blow up during the warm up or preride. My car kit contains ALL tools necessary to fix anything on my bike, as well as spare: tubes, tires, cables, helmet, shoes, gloves, seat, eyewear, cleats, cleat bolts, brake pads, deraileur parts (robbed from several that I have broken). I'd carry shifters, brakes and deraileurs if I could afford spares.

During the race I take a spare tube, can of air/sealant, and a chain tool and water of course. I probably should take a frame mounted pump as well but... For long races I carry some kind of nutrition.

Enjoy Racing!