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First race was C class. Bike didn't fire up on the first kick so I started dead last, and I stalled it twice, but I still ended up top 5. That race was only an hour and I wasn't tired. Part of the course was a MX track I was really familiar with so that was a blast, but is why I finished as well as I did.
So I moved up to B for the next race... Which felt like a big mistake because that course was all tight single track, the race was 90 minutes + a lap (20 minute lap times). Half way through I started to get heat stroke.
I love hare scrambles so much I bought myself a YZ250X for christmas and what a difference that bike has made. I'm climbing stuff I couldn't before, I can put the wheels where I want it and it doesn't beat me up over the rocks.
My MX bike is a 250f but it's sprung and valved somewhat aggressively, so in the rough stuff in the woods the bike more or less bounces and ricochets off of everything.
To take it racing I threw on some wrap around hand guards, a slightly better skid plate and strapped a wrist watch to the bar pad to watch for time... I could do about 1:15 before I needed gas. So I would usually stop at the hour mark and throw in some gas.
The new bike has a beefy plastic skid plate (TM designs), big tank, full wrap hand guards, comes stock with an 18" rear, and the softer suspension is a big plus.
It's a blast, less risky for the most part and if you're fit it really pays.
I suggest on the first start to take it easy and let most of the guys go and feel out the pace. I got a really good start on my second race and then I was really in the way for the first half lap.
I'm currently making a roughly 4km loop of single track with various sized of logs to cross (thigh high suspended logs are really a challenge).It should be good to go out once a week after work and do a 2 hour moto.
One of the perks of this style of racing is the bang for buck. I spend $40, show up at 10am, race for 2 hours and then pack up. I might get 40 minutes of riding for $100 and you're sitting there all day for moto... Also, practice is almost always free (just getting out on a fast paced trail ride)
Harescramble: a loop between 3 and 15 miles where you run for time usually 1-3 hours depending on your sanctioning body, heads up racing I.E. you start with the guys in your class.
Enduro: Think stage rally, multiple secions of timed point A to point B, typically 60 miles in total. Not heads up racing, people racing on your row can be any avaliable class, you are racing the clock. Fastest guy wins.
Mods are up to you but i'd say skid plate and your choice of hand guard are the necessities. Agree with the above comment about riding at race speed and see where your at for fuel, i will say that at my speed i can just barley get through a two hour harescramble with my stock KTM XC tank. Most folks around me with YZ's run the 3 gallon IMS tank and like them.
spots that will be trouble at race speed. Don’t be afraid to back it off a notch if you are unsure of the section ahead. Remember you are in a longer race and not a 10 minute Moto so pace yourself and don’t feel you need to go banzai through the pack. A steady clip will get you to the finish in one piece and a wide open balls out approach will most likley get you back to the pits with injuries.
I had a good time doing hare scrambles but you have to show discipline and not treat it like a 15 minute Moto
At 50, I too switched from MX over to scrambles. It is something to get used to and a different mindset. Like someone had mentioned earlier in the post. You will see a guy sitting on an old XR or KDX in your class and think he is a chump. He will be the one waxing everyone. Don't be fooled. These guys can fly in the woods. It will be a learning curve. Give yourself a year or so to get your feet wet. Finishing one is the first step. It is tough. I have had more rough days than good ones. I have made allot of rookie mistakes. Be prepared, go in well hydrated, and with a positive outlook. Good luck!
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Things get pretty hairy after the 1 hour mark if you go out to fast.
Go 75% of the pace you can ride at the first hour then dial it in.
You will learn a lot in your first race. Go from there.
My first one was in AZ in ‘76 on a 250 Pursang in full MX trim. Almost passed out in the heat but finished a 140 mile race. It was on from there.
Way more seat time and plain fun than a weekend MX race.
1hr30m for C class + sportsman, 2h for B and up
Ive raced 2 250's and currently a 300 husky two stroke. the biggest mod would be first getting hand guards and i would recommend a skid + radiator and rotor/caliper guards. nothing sucks more then mechanical midway through a race. next is definitely setting your suspension for your weight and terrain. an oversize tank helps alot, but I use a quickfill and usually only takes half a minute or so into the pit and out (just a splash for the final few laps).
as others have said its mainly about getting used to the duration and learning when to go fast. i am a fan of saving for the last lap. I went from 5th to a 3rd in my class my last race due to conditioning! pre hydrate the week leading up to the race (if not... all the time? water intake is crucial for recovery and performance), get a good meal in the night before and morning of helps for me (slow carbs like sweet potato, and good portion of protein and fat) .
during race I stick to just water, but some people will make a pit stop for a fast carb boost like sports drink or a banana
as for training, I ride local trails as much as i can. I used to also MX but the track has not been kind with injuries. I spent a good 3-4 years as primarily a track kid, so those skills do help out on the moto portion of our races.
I just try and ride the sections of trail I know at decent speed, and usually will practice 'laps' as a 15-20 min quicker then average pace but spend an hour or so atleast total riding whatever and looking for technical lines. in woods racing you have to be very aware of the trail, good passing spots and of course how to choose a line that helps you maintain momentum but doesnt slow up the fast riders from classes behind you + the 'really' fast a and AA pros. learning to remember your strong sections and your "be carful and maybe take a breath" sections as a race progresses.
best of luck with your goals!
-walk the first mile, and go for it on the start, a lot of guys settle into the idea that its a 2hr race starts dont matter, believe me nailing your start and first 15 minutes of the race makes a difference, youll flow better and stay more relaxed if you dont think you have to chase the 20 people who beat you off the line.
-look ahead, look ahead, look ahead. you do not need to follow the main trail, its going to seem tight, but you dont have to follow the guy in front of you, plow through some bushes, duck some brances.
-be easy on the throttle, your throttle is a dimmer switch not a light switch! i dont care how hard you twist your wrist, you will not get traction on that rock or log. i cant tell you haw many times ive seem steaming bikes pinned on a pile of polished roots. just stop, this isnt a mulched, watered, and prepped track.
-let other riders by, there are likely a dozen different classes out there, if someone yells or is reving their bike behind you just move over, theyre not being dicks, its the accepted way of saying faster rider. you can do it too.
-watch for new lines especially in mud holes, do whatever you can to stay out of the mail line there.
-number one, just relax and have fun!
Pit Row
As far as preparation goes, I tend to cramp up in my right hamstring while riding the 2 hour long races, but I've found that drinking pickle juice or eating some yellow mustard in the morning completely resolves that issue. I know it may sound goofy, but I swear it works.
If you're mid race and stop for a pit to refuel/ change goggles or gloves, I would recommend sucking down a packet of energy gel or something. Combined with a Camelbak, you should be ok for the whole 2 hours.
A few gear tips: Put a ladies maxi pad on the top layer of foam on your goggles. It'll soak up the brow sweat and prevent it from splashing onto the inside of your lenses in the event of a crash/ roost/ tree branch impact. I use full bark busters, regular width bars. Definitely clipped a tree or 2 in my races, and I'm thankful I had the full guards.
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I'm certainly no expert but being a fellow Hare Scramble rookie, I may have some more helpful insight.
Sit down as much as u can on the straight aways to ease armpump..extra padding on your ass from the amount of times you change positions on the bike..finally,have a cold beer wating in your cooler for after the race. .its a tough 2hrs and an accomplishment to finish and place well...gd luck and have fun
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