Top 5 Strategies to a Successful Mountain Bike Racing Season

What’s up mountain bikers? It’s Coach Adam here!

One of the greatest advantages you can have during racing season is to be well prepared. Preparation is KEY to riding your best race and to minimizing potential pitfalls, while you are out there on the track.

So today, I’m going to share with you my top 5 strategies to help you have a successful racing season.

Dirt Squad Youth Team members Rhys Blair and Kai Sargent, racing at the 2023 Sooke Enduro.

1. Check your bike.

Check every bolt, rotor, brake pad, chain link, cog, chain ring, everything. And be sure to check the cleats on your shoes. Cleats only tend to come loose on race day.

You’ve spent all this time training and preparing… make sure your rig is fully ready too!

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen an athlete put hundreds of hours into their preparation spent thousands of dollars on a flight a big chunk of money on an entry fee only to have a mishap in a race from something that was completely preventable, had they checked their bike.

2. Plan your pre-ride.

Know the course profile. Know the amount of elevation and length of each course. Look for videos on Trailforks or YouTube to help you visualize what lies ahead on every corner.  Know where you’re going. Know the length and characteristics of each stage.

3. Plan your fueling and hydration.

How you feel on race day will have a lot to do with how you fuel during pre ride. If you go deep into your reserves during practice you won’t have enough gas for race day.

*Remember that for optimal performance, you’re going to require 60-120g of carbs per hour EVERY hour depending on how demanding the transfers will be.

4. Rest.

Find somewhere, either the day before or two days out to take a rest day. Don’t pre-ride too much. Rest is super important to make sure you have the gas in the tank and muscle recovery that you’ll need to ride your best on race day.

Taking a easy day 2 days before the race is ideal, but don’t go into the race TOO fresh. That can make you feel sluggish.

5. Make a pre-race checklist.

This is a schedule of what you’re going to do every hour for at least 24 to 36 hours before the race. Take a lined piece of paper, start at the bottom with your start time of your race, and work your way backwards up the page. Make note of what you’ll be doing every hour prior to your race, and STICK TO THIS SCHEDULE!

The more things you can control, the less things you leave to chance, the less nervous and anxious you’re going to be before the race. Control the controllables and have a wicked race. And most importantly, have FUN!

Now GO CRUSH IT!

Is your young rider keen to race? Learn about our Dirt Squad Youth Development Program HERE!

 

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