The Tea About XC
By Alice E
What is it?
Cross Country MTB racing is 1 - 1.5 hours of cycling laps around established trails, sometimes with bespoke technical options or freshly cut trail links.
No hurdles, no stairs!
This year there is also short course racing held the same weekend; a 20 minute all out sprint on a less technical version of the course, usually the under 12s course. Surely good for fitness?
Course difficulty
This year there are some new venues so can't guarantee but generally it's run on a mix of what feels like blues and reds.
Upcoming we have:
Glentress
Beecraigs
Tarland
Ae forest
Kirroughtree
Crombie
There will be climbing, flowy traverses and fun descents. Nothing hugely technical, last year I rode most rounds on a 26 inch hardtail without a dropper post.
Getting off to run is a valid option at all times!
📷 Adam Oliver
Course length
The laps tend to be 3-5km long. The number you do is decided on the day and how the course is running to aim for 1 hr to 1hr 30 of racing. Occasionally the lap numbers can be negotiated with the commissaires if you think the number is incorrect, both up and down...!
Categories
Can be a bit confusing but generally aged based.
If older than forty go with the appropriate master age category.
If less than 40 the go to is Sport or Fun. Fun will do fewer laps.
If you're elite/ expert you'll know about it 😅
Coaching opportunities
SXC association this year are running a group for coaching and general encouragement for women looking to try XC or build some skills called Dirt Dabblers.
If interested fire an email to: info@sxc.co.uk
Hervelo rides are of course an excellent way to get stoked, ride with like minded women and chat racing and other nonsense. Sometimes we even do structured training rides! Check out our Rides & Events page to see what’s coming up: Rides & Events
Marshalling
Got the vibe but not sure about racing yet? Or want to support/ heckle some of the other riders? Consider marshalling!"
Always in high demand and a great way to contribute to the sport without the entry fee. You can sign up for slots in the day around any racing you or family are involved in.
Rewards system this year includes a free race entry if you Marshall enough sessions!
Email SXC if you’re interested: volunteer@sxc.co.uk
We'll also share a direct sign up link on the socials closer to the time
Top tips
Practice or sight the descents at very least as any technical stuff will be here, course practice will be earlier the same day of your race
Eat or drink some food on the way round, an hour and a half is too long for just water.
Warm up before the start. Most tend to start with climb which is rough from cold... (Do as I say not as I do, eh Alice?)
Riders lapping you will call on their approach and should specify a side they want to pass. Don't let people not lapping you try this to get past, they need to work for the overtake!
Next race
Glentress! 10th and 11th May
This is combined with one of the British National XC rounds so the timings are a little different from usual and there is no under 12 racing this time for your mini-velos, but there are skills sessions for the kids.
I'll be doing open short course Saturday then sport female Sunday, would love to see you there!
Get entered at the link below: