What it takes to race

What does it take to race?




Racing is the venue in which you test yourself against others who share your passion for going fast on a bike. In its simplest form it requires three things. You need to show up with a strong bike, a strong brain and a strong body.

A strong bike is not a bike that weighs so much that it handles like a tank. It is a bike that is well maintained and that will last the duration of the event. Sometimes that means spending quite a bit of money to replace parts that might be just fine but allow for that shadow of doubt as to whether or not they’ll hold up when you stand up and put all your power into the pedals. Or when that rock comes out of nowhere and strains your suspension or tires to the limits of their performance window. It means that you have evaluated the course and chosen tires that will withstand the obstacle. You’re using a tire pressure that allows for the right combination of speed and traction. It means you might replace a perfectly good chain just for the peace of mind that it gives you knowing that it will withstand all the force you demand of it. It means checking bolts and torques. I’ve seen others and experienced myself losing races because of a mechanical breakdown; which includes flat tires. I lost a race I was sure to win because one of the bolts holding my derailleur pulleys worked loose and I lost chain tension. I would never have expected that to happen. I’ve seen races in which a considerable number of people have finished with flat tires. I’ve moved up placements because others have had “mechanicals” Without a working bike you cannot bike race. Losing a race because of a foreseeable or preventable mechanical issue is your own fault and stems from laziness and a lack of maintenance. There is no excuse for this. Losing a race because of an unforeseeable mechanical issue like breaking a brand new chain or crashing onto a rock and bending your derailleur hanger or breaking a seat post is just bad luck. Even so; you have to make sure your bike is ready to go the distance.

A strong brain means you’ve ridden the course, hopefully more than once. Course knowledge is worth a couple of minutes a lap because it gives you the advantage of knowing where to push hard, where to rest and where you need to bleed of speed because of a tight corner or obstacle. It means you’re rested and alert. It means you’re quick thinking enough to find a new line on the fly. I know where the perfect line for me is in the Grand Beach rock gardens but during a race there might be someone occupying the space I want to ride through. I know where to go fast and where I have to go slow in Bur Oak but someone might be chasing me or I might be tailing someone who rides a different pace than I wish to.

I also means knowing your opponents. It means knowing who will most likely blow up, who to chase, who you can follow and when to take off on a group. It means knowing how much you have left in the tank and knowing when to drain that tank. It means knowing how hard to go off the front, when to conserve and when to put it all on the line and push yourself to your absolute maximum. A strong brain means you can watch others and gauge their fatigue by how they ride. Mistakes they make and being ready to capitalize on those mistakes.

A strong body seems self evident but it ties into having a strong brain. It’s exactly knowing when to “burn your matches” and when to conserve. It’s impersonal self evaluation. Judging your strengths and weaknesses and turning those weaknesses into strengths. It requires stepping away from your pride and ego and judging what you can do well and what you cannot do well. One of the earliest things I discovered about myself and bike racing is that I am not a strong climber. I do very poorly on steep climbs but I’ve also realized that I have considerable physical strength in my legs over short bursts. I made myself into a shallow climb specialist. Short, non steep climbs allow me to turn big gears and use my strength to close or open gaps. Steep climbs will always elude me but the more I climb the stronger I get at it. I feel strong on straight sections where I can turn up the speed but tight, twisty and technical sections also challenged my limited abilities but I practiced sections of trails that were hard for me in races and over the years I improved. I’m not nearly where my friends are in these regards but I’m not nearly as poor at them as I was. Confidence comes from practice and confidence wins races.

Most important of all though is that racing requires respect. Respect and celebration of your fellow athletes. No person ever brought accolades to themselves by sitting in the stands or standing on the sidelines. Racing is a celebration of physical endeavour. Without your foes you have no race. You need them as much as they need you. It is an honour to line up at the starting line and test yourself against them and against yourself. We must respect and honour our antagonists; for without them we have nothing.