Thank you! I'm 61 and about to ride my first hare scramble. I love what you said about starts not mattering. I think I'll let the field get in front of me and then just run as smoothly and consistently as possible to finish. I do ride 2-3 times a month (yes, per month, not per week). But I can ride two hours at a decent pace for me due to pretty active job keeping me in shape.
Go for a 2 day ride the weekend before you race, take your gear off oil your chain put gas in the bike throw it all in the trailer and go home. The weekend of the race gear up ( yes with the same stinky gear from the weekend before) throw a leg over the bike and go race like you were just doing another weekend ride
I've got to force myself to remember that last one . First ever Hare Scramble race coming up next month (55 yrs old!). And even though I -think- I can get a fast launch, I'm probably WAY better off leaving late at the start, and trying to use skills in the woods to catch slower guys than me. I've always observed that at very top level of riding, it doesn't really come down to who was fastest, it most of the time comes down to the guy with the fewest mistakes. It seems the same should be true for beginner racers too.
Thank you for the tips…going to start racing again next year GOD WILLING….building my 2000 yz 125 because I miss the sound and smell…plus that power band….. (after 40 years of raising a family and working….now it’s my time again lol) you earned my subscription!!!!
Great tips! #6 When u get to the course, take some easy warm up riding time to help relieve nerves and loosen up your body. Get there early enough to do it.
4. Hydrate. ''Ask 10 people, get 11 diff answers,'' This is true. So here's # 11: From what I've read, we can't preload against salt loss, we need to replenish as we go, also hydrating at the cellular level needs to start at least a day or two before an event, (Drinking sufficient amounts of water, or more than we typically do those couple of days leading up to an event). Potassium and Magnesium don't work well without replenishing salt/sodium loss, so I'm told.
@@DirtBikingwithDonnie I read an interesting note/article on pickle juice; It seems that if one is experiencing leg cramps, a shot of pickle juice can often alleviate that/those cramps in a minute or so. The determined that it had nothing to do with digestion, rather than a chemical/electrical response of some receptors at the back of the throat, I thought that was fascinating. I don't get cramps, but did and had to look into it, apparently I was deficient in potassium and magnesium, I ride 15 to 30 hours a week, in AZ heat, once I was directed to up my pot/mag, all cramps (mainly legs) disappeared, apparently also, my natural salt intake was sufficient at the time. I now add a bit of salt to snacks I eat after a session in 120f ambient temps..
@@DirtBikingwithDonnie I learned recently that Chris Birch had had a heat stroke some time back, didn't know it at the time, but wow, I found this out a couple weeks ago, what a huge wake up call.... Key for me was NOT how to fix' lol, but how to know that you are heading toward one, symptoms, (and prevention steps of course). I think we should all take a look into the issue , unless we live in cooler climates. Chris was apparently in a comma if I got the info right, for a couple of weeks, he's not an old dude either, I am though, triple indemnity lol...
I completely agree with each one of these. My second race I had changed my spring rate the day before, big mistake. My bike handled better but different from what I was use to. Stay safe
@@bikersoncall It kicked my butt haha, but it was a great experience! Thankfully I walked away injury free and with my bike in one piece. Met some great people too!
@@DirtBikingwithDonnie I be been ripping around for couple years now on yz250x. But dam a couple of 1to.1 and a half hrs .runs in 1 day u gotta be up n shape for that to even finish..imma give it a rip though ..up here in PNW we have tons of large roots(very wet very slick) and rocks so for me the slow stuff wares me out the fastest..good luck bro
On your topic of starting, the best finish I've ever had in a big class is a third place. That race, my bike didn't start first kick. I left the line dead last in a class of 13 to 14 people. I worked my way through the pack with diligence and consistency to my first podium finish. Starts don't matter when the goal is endurance.
I have been racing for years and I still get caught up in wanting to be in the front but end up on my butt shortly after and now having to race in pain for the remainder of the race your advice in waiting and taking your time is solid this give you body time to warm up and making all the free passes when everyone else is crashing really pays off big in the end having to drive to the ER sucks and now I'm out of riding for a year as I heal thanks for sharing my game plan will be different next race !
The week before a race I drink loads of water a come the day before every mouthful I drink must pee 2 pints out , day before will eat massive amount cooked breakfast and will have loads of pasta for tea , porridge for breakfast race day with 2 bananas 30 mins before and seems to of helped me loads .I've tried to get away off starts reasonable a then settle down into own race and out of 8 races with anywhere between 25- 40 in class had top 10 every time best of 4th a lap times get quicker as the 3hrs tick by only been riding 2 yrs a getting better all the time
In my very first race I started dead last out of 45 people because my bike didn’t start. I ended up finishing 6th this just goes to show starting position doesn’t mean anything
Start out on a bike that fits you. I raced a kx 500 threw the 80s and I got used to it but should have started on a 250. But as time went on I tricked it out and made it fit me. But the first few races felt like my arms stretched 6 inch's !!! And tired after the first lap and arm pump. But I got threw it and like I said made it fit me but still a bear to hold on to. So pick a bike that fits you and is comfortable. WFO
I'm getting prepared to race in a summer series and would like to know your thoughts on gearing. My bike is a 2022 CRF450R with stock gearing which i beleive is 13/49. Ive been told I would need to lower the gearing for woods racing but im not sure on the amount. Some say increase the rear sprocket by one tooth and others say do more. Based on your experience what would you recommend?
Thanks for watching! Wow, that’s a tough bike to woods race on. Maybe others can help with your gearing question. I have no experience with woods racing 450s.
@@DirtBikingwithDonnie Ok thanks. I think I'll add a tooth to the rear sprocket and go from there. I'll keep adding a tooth until it fits my riding style. If nothing else I'll have some extra sprockets. ;-)
@@DirtBikingwithDonnie I hope to participate in the HS's this upcoming year, and yeah, I could see burning out in hour two, by being tense and putting out a 100% in the first 15 mins, when 30% could even give you a win lol. What also amazes me is how a lot of newer racers (from watching footage) wouldn't get through have the course/loop, without e start, they'd kick themselves to death in the first mile, you can see a lot of them hitting that starter button 30 times or more in the first half hour, very difficult to kick start a bike 30 times in the period, when it takes up to 6 to 10 kicks, especially when flooded.
Starts are important - even if you’re not the fastest guy in your class. I’d rather get the holeshot and have the faster guys in the class pass me/me let them by vs getting stuck or bottle necked by the slower less skillful riders on obstacles that I likely would’ve cleaned. Sure, it may not mean much on many races as you described, but often times it will when you look back and go “well I got a crap start and followed this squid for a mile and couldn’t get around him and then he fell on an uphill and I fell bc of him”. Spoken like I’ve had that convo with myself haha. Great content btw
Typically vet classes are open to any size bike assuming it meets the minimum size. I’ve seen Chinese brands and giant adventure bikes line up for races.
@@DirtBikingwithDonnie Thanks!, I thought it was the other way around, I thought a 250f for example could run with 450's , in fact a 150 could run with 450's , but a 450 would not be allowed to run in a 250 and under class. I don't know this, it's just from what watching other videos and reading articles.
Any advice on controlling your nerves for your first race? When I go to the track for practice I get all nerved up and feel dehydrated and tense on first lap. I haven’t raced yet cause I don’t know how to get rid of that feeling and I want to be able to at least finish the race
You’ll definitely get the adrenaline rush just before the start and during the early part of the race. It’s best to recognize it, try to calm yourself and don’t let it cloud your judgment. Stay out of harms way at the start and treat the rest like a trail ride. That’s the best strategy if your goal is to finish. Good luck!
@@DirtBikingwithDonnie Thank you for your advice today was my first race and it was great. The nerves pretty much went away once I got on the line and had some great riders giving me advice. I finished the race 12th place, my class was huge.
Great tips! I wish I saw this video last year when I first started. I didn't even finish my first race and crashed a bunch, I practiced alot last year and I raced just recently and felt very confident in my riding ability, didn't crash and finished. Next year goals will be to finish with a competitive time.
Yes, even when I was road racing the first turn was not that important. I would not get too excited, maybe getting passed by three or more bikes. Within a few laps I would pass them back sticking to a good pace. Crashing on the first lap is never a good idea. Great video.
@@DirtBikingwithDonnie yeah awesome terrain very similar to what I ride in north east California with lots of granite but my endurance isn’t the best lol so only lap and I’ll be happy 😆
Thanks Donnie. On my first race at Perry a couple of weeks ago I made sure to position myself on the outside of the turn. I took it easy on the first 3 turns. Once I got past the initial mud pit the rear of the race was a matter of learning the ropes. I had so much fun.
