XC racing how to train for it????

do interval training and go to www.bikejames.com

Also check out Joe Friel's "Mountain Biker's Training Bible." It helped me a ton with setting out a training schedule for the year, breaking down when to do what to peak strategically for chosen races.

If you're just starting out, ride as much as you can, and do some races. Move up in category if you win. Losing will motivate you in off-season training. As you get stronger, do not assume that bike time alone will continue the fitness learning curve. You will have to do a lot of work off the bike. When off the bike training time comes around, train like you race.

I found that the difference between Cat 2 racers and Cat 1 racers was simply time spent following a training schedule. Cat 2 racers may have moved up after a season of racing and one off-season training. Cat 1 racers had spend several years racing and off-seasons training. Pro riders had that much more time under their belt. I also found that what separated elite pro riders from mid-pack pros was not just work, but something intangibly "natural." For example, I carry most of my mass in my chest, and have very short legs--a very poor body type for xc racing. So I gave up training for xc, and now I just have fun racing DH, super-D, etc.

Good luck. Have fun!

Sweet man thanks I had my 1st1 race last week it was only 15 miles hahaha I railed this turn on the first lap an leaned over tooo far and slid out it was great but I had to play catch up the rest of the race and ended up placing 7th out of 13 wich is fine! Was it fun?,yes! Will I race again?,probably not I mostly because I do alot of free ride and I cant be serious about both ,but thanx for all the advise it was much appriciated and the wished luck was nice too!

I'm thinking about doing a few XC races for the first time.

I raced motocross for a lot of years and I'm looking for something new to do competitively, XC seems like the perfect fit.

Any suggestions for a good bike to start with? $1000 to $2000 range

TWicks wrote: I'm thinking about doing a few XC races for the first time.

I raced motocross for a lot of years and I'm looking for something new to do competitively, XC seems like the perfect fit.

Any suggestions for a good bike to start with? $1000 to $2000 range

If you want to buy new, your options are fairly limited in that price range. Santa Cruz has a few builds just under the $2000 mark.

Consider buying a used bike. Many racers will use their rides for one season then sell them during the winter at a pretty good price. These days, almost everyone is making decent bikes. Just look for bikes that are in good shape. Feel free to post up a parts spec for further input.