What’s with all the changes?
A friend and I were discussing the recent changes that he had seen on the site. Changes not only in the site layout (rotating header, black design and etc) but also the focus and direction we’ve taken in the last few months.
You may have scene quite a bit of racing postings, events and team news. This friend found it rather interesting that in a few short months we’ve gone from recreational mountain biking and towards a sudden focus to racing.
Well, yes its true. Our focus since late 2008 has been on racing, that’s due to the fact that we found we had a pretty talented staff that liked to go fast. When we formed the MtnBikeRiders.com Racing Team, we wanted to to bring “recreational” mountain bikers to a new level of riding. Don’t get me wrong, none of us really dream of being a pro (well maybe one), but if you take away all the events and all of the jerseys, we’re still the same group of people…recreational mountain bikers…that race. Think of it as Vegetarians that eat Sea Food. Get it?
Every time we finish an event/race, we like to post our experiences so we can share and even relate to our readers. I have another friend that likes to comment on the site (dial tone), we were having a conversation about racing. I had encouraged him to at least try it, but he said no thanks because he was a recreational rider, but we had taken it to the next level. But what I want everyone to understand, sure we have a number of our staff that race, Moe and I just started racing but it doesn’t mean we’re “hardcore” or anything like that. Honestly, I raced DH because Priscilla thinks its hot…Moe races to achieve personal goals.
Our racing focus on the site is basically a grass roots effort to make mountain bike racing more appealing to those who consider themselves recreational riders. If you’re lucky enough to have a race series by your home, please take advantage of it. Some of the people we meet at Fontana come as far away as Colorado just to race…for us its just a 40 min drive. You never know, this racing thing might just be your thing…just look at Priscilla, a mom of 3, college student and wife…but she’s a champ! Or you can be like Moe and I, not really serious racers,(c’mon…its Moe and RL…)but we have fun when we’re out there.
I hated racing, in fact, I still don’t like to race XC, it is just not my cup of tea. I found that Super D suits me fine and I’m having fun with it. As far as DH goes, well I wouldn’t try it if I wouldn’t be reviewing the KHS DH200.
Am I serious about racing? Well, I only train 1 day a week, at the loop… For me is all about having fun and testing my skills on new trails and testing bikes and parts during racing conditions, (for some reason, we now get higher end bikes to test, mmmm.)
That’s a good point, Moe — since many bike manufacturers focus their development efforts on racing tech, it stands to reason that if product testers are also racers, the companies will want to get higher-end goodies into your hands.
Something I should point out is that being a racer isn’t necessarily about being hardcore — it IS possible to do it just for fun’s sake (and for personal goal achievement/fitness, etc.). You don’t have to be a “eat/train/sleep/race/repeat” person to do it. You merely have to appreciate the virtues of pushing yourself on occasion and trying new things.
I’ve been thinking a LOT about getting back into racing on a casual basis — trouble is, there just aren’t a lot of fun events in Florida either on- or off-road. Everyone is too serious around here!
I meant to say “in my part of Florida”. I have a moral/ethical problem with strapping a bike onto a car in order to go somewhere to ride my bike.
To be a hardcore racer, I will need a set of full sleeve tats…just like Dale Holmes.
This post comes at an interesting time, I have been thinking of casual racing, but like Ghost Rider, there are Way to many hardcore people around here, and it seems as though I am stuck with 2 catagories of rider, Hardcore Racer or Enthusiest.
There is also a misconception about me, since I ride all over town, people think IM friends with Tinker or Hans.
Quinn,
You really should give it a try, at least 3 races. Go into it with a mind set that you’re there to have fun, then you’ll see that your experience will be a great one.
Basically you can be a hardcore enthusiast.
On my first (and only) MTB race, I tried to hang with the hardcores and got hammered. I finished the race mid-pack and then promptly threw up from exhaustion.
I should have tried it again a few times, though…something I regret.
Sounds like you guys should all try endurance races (6+hours, 50+miles, etc). Here in the South East they’re super popular. Very few of the participants are competeing with the goal of getting on the podium. Most, like myself, are in it for the personal challenge. Everyone there is chill, there’s no crazy rush to get the hole shot, etc. I like seeing how long I can hang on and tough it out, and how many miles I can get under my tires over an extended period of time. Endurance races are perfect for this. I have no interest in bumping elbows with people for an hour or so like in XC race.
We did try the 24Hrs of the Fullerton loop, the “race” was a blast. Like you said, I “raced” to see how many laps I was able to do, not to win or break the record. We are hoping to do some of those Team 24hrs of Adrenaline races, they look like fun!
Dman, that’s not a bad idea at all…I’ve often heard that endurance challenges are a lot more laid back and fun, and it is much easier to concentrate on personal goals rather than getting a spot on the podium.
One of the road races I’d love to do is the FM/24 in Atlanta…more fun with a team. Anyone interested in going to the ATL to shop all those hipster kids how it’s done?
Dman, I am using these smaller races to stay in shape for the longer races, I am entered in the “Counting Coup” and “The Traverse” both put on by the Warrior’s Society. http://www.warriorssociety.org These races are both 44 miles long and go up and down our local mountains here in our backyard, both of these races are intense.
Thanks for the mention RL! LOL
If I ever join you guys in a race event it will definitely in support capacity! This summer for sure.