Best bike for a newb interested in enduros and hare scrambles

[barnyard]

You are going to find that you are in better shape than most of your competition. Learn how to stand and carry speed in the corners and you should dominate your class.

In my area, the guys that dominate are all either mtn bike competitors or have do triathalons.

For starting riders, their biggest issue is almost always having enough fitness to finish an event. Once their fitness level improves, they can work on their riding technique.

When you get back home, set up your suspension, go out and have some fun.

[Silver]

They are having a benefit race for a downed rider next weekend. 10 bucks at the gate and 10 bucks to race and they have a beginners class. So I'm definitely considering that one.

[Tbone]

Originally Posted by Silver

They are having a benefit race for a downed rider next weekend. 10 bucks at the gate and 10 bucks to race and they have a beginners class. So I'm definitely considering that one.

Do it!!!

[Silver]

Yep, pretty sure I'm in on it now. My main thing is I'm out of shape. :( Need to start working on that. Plan currently is to just treat it like a day of riding, and not worry about what place I'm in or anything. If I get tired, stop and take a break, or whatever.

I took a bunch of photos at a hare scramble this weekend, was good times, but man even the really in shape dudes were BURNT by an hour or so, field really thinned out by then and some of the dudes coming through my corner were just "unggngn no more". So me being out of shape has me concerned for this weekend. But if I end up wearing out and coming back to the pits with my tail between my legs, so it goes.

Couple of shots from this weekend...

This was after I helped this guy get his bike back up from the 3-4 foot ledge it dropped off and landed upside down on.


Good corner to work, lots of biffs.


Big field of bikes for sure.


Cheers!

edit: Also any tips for riding with faster riders? I don't want to slow anyone down but everyone is going to be on the course at the same time. Most people I've ridden with have been like 5-7 people.

[Tbone]

I've had plenty of practice riding with faster riders If it's the first lap of the race I generally ain't moving over for anybody since they're probably in my class. Faster rider are generally better riders, so when I hear one come up behind me I'll throw a foot out on the side I'll expect them to pass me on then maintain my line till they're by. Faster riders can be vocal and not shy about you holding them up. When they start hollering move over and maintain your line then hope to learn something in the 3 corners you'll see them in after. Many guys will holler "thanks" as they move on the to next slow guy..always makes me feel good i didn't hold them up too much. In the tight stuff I'll not my head to let them I know I know they're back there and as soon as I can find a spot I'll move over, but never stop rolling, to let them by.

[eatpasta]

Ive got a million tips for ya....


I started from scratch in racing just a few years ago and there is so much to learn it boggles the mind! I would say for sure buddy up with a team or a crew of guys. These guys will be an invaluable resource for you in your learning process.

[Silver]

Originally Posted by barnyard

Back on the seat = bad.

In sand, you want to stand on the pegs, look where you want to go and lean to turn. Do not try to steer.

Try to think of sand like a boat in water. As a boat is starting out, it plows through the water. Give it some more gas and it hops up on plane.

Same thing with a dirt bike in sand, you want to get it up on plane, if you will. Stand with your body back and neutral, letting the bike dance underneath you.

I forgot to say thank you for this advice. I'm going to try to alter my thinking like this next time I'm in sand.

Originally Posted by eatpasta

I would say for sure buddy up with a team or a crew of guys. These guys will be an invaluable resource for you in your learning process.

Also thank you for this advice too. Pretty cool deal as I've got more than a few buddies that are already in the ATV motion series so I'll pick their brains as much as I can. Hah except for when one tells me "You should ride, I walked the course and it's easy". After the race he told me "Whoops, walked the mini course, not the big bike course". haha.

[Osnabrock]

Be sure that you don't put yourself in a a bad position when pulling off to allow a faster rider past.
You will hear when people are coming up behind you. Everyone is very congenial and let you know by blasting the throttle long before they're right on top of you.
Most folks won't be upset by you taking a few extra yards to find a place to pull off that won't leave you behind a log or tree.
Never put yourself out to appease the person behind you. Any true sportsman will understand your decision.

[yeroc40]

Thank for the n00b thread. Not sure how I missed that one but there is a ton of great info in there. My first is on Sunday and the jitters are starting already. I finished prepping the bike on Saturday, and I think I've done three nut and bolt checks since then.

[Silver]

Yay! I'm not the only one with jitters lol. Also SCORE! Busted a buckle on my MSR's this past week and was going to order some Gaerne GX-1's but they wouldn't get here till next week. Called Honda of Tulsa and some dude ordered the EXACT ones I wanted but didn't pick them up. Just goes to show, shop local people, shop local. I'll spend a bit more in paying taxes but whatever, I'll have them this week.

[DC950]

Originally Posted by yeroc40

Thank for the n00b thread. Not sure how I missed that one but there is a ton of great info in there. My first is on Sunday and the jitters are starting already. I finished prepping the bike on Saturday, and I think I've done three nut and bolt checks since then.

no, no, no! You're doing it all wrong. You aren't supposed to finish the bike any earlier than midnight the night before the race! That way you can sleep a few fitful hours and then drive all tired and wired to the race. Noob.

[Rider_WV]

A couple of tips from a slow guy that enjoys harescrambles.

the top 10 things i recommend----

1:Set a goal to just to finish the race. not be competitive in your class, just to finish. Get one under your belt then go racing.
2:Be patient off the start, you wont win in the first turn, its a 2 hour race.
3:Start hydrating midweek, pounding a ton of water the morning of the race isnt a good method. Start increasing your water intake on wed/thurs.
4:Get out of the way of the faster riders ASAP. Trust me its better to lose a little time slowing/moving to let them pass then having them put you in the weeds getting around you.
5: relax, relax, relax, breath, breath, breath, relax relax relax, breath breath breath, repeat in your helmet for 2 hours, LOL
6: Look as far ahead as you can, watch for the X, XX, watch for banners, markers obstacles. DO NOT look right in front of you. You will blow a turn, miss a corner, etc. Keep your chin up, imagine a tennis ball glued to your chin. Do NOT stare at the riders rear tire in front of you. Look ahead, way ahead, look where you want to go, not where you are at.
7: practice with faster riders
8: Have fun, dont take it too seriously
9: prep your bike meticulously. It sucks to spend the time and money to get to a race and drop out on the first lap because of poor bike prep.
10: Wear your saftey gear, its hot, sometimes uncomfortable but it works.


BREATH, relax, keep a loose grip, do NOT, i repeat do NOT quit. no matter how tired, sore and frustrated you are just dont quit. The most rewarding part of your first race will be seeing the checkered flag.

HAVE FUN!!!

[Silver]

That's a wonderful top ten list! Thank you.

The don't drink soda blows my mind though, my drive to the riding area coke has been a staple since I started riding. Makes sense though as along with coke I'm drinking a ton of water and notice that I end up having to pee A LOT. Eesh, that's going to be a tough one to knock out. lol.

Will make it a point to eat a banana or 2 as well. Should I do breakfast as well? I don't have a schedule yet for this weekend so not sure when we're starting. Probably around 12 I'm thinking as I know the kids and small stuff will be starting at 10:00am. Also not sure on duration yet, if it's an hour, 1.5 +1 lap like ATV Motion, or a 2 hour race. Will have to wait and see, schedule supposed to come out today.


Also was thinking of taking some choice quotes from this thread and making a "Enduro/Hare Scramble questions and answers" type thread with a lot of the pointers from this thread in the first post. What type of bike recommendations, what to eat, how to ride, things of that nature. Have it be kind of a newbie Enduro/Hare scramble catch all thread. Also a general racing discussion thread as well.

I have seen a few guys that have posted about their racing endevors but most of those guys are doing a full series, this would be for the newer guys looking to try out a race or two for the first time and seeking answers.

Any objections?

edit: Also gatorade or water? I'm not too huge a fan of gatorade or any of the super hydrating or whatever. Is water still good enough or should I look into also supplementing with some sort of sports drink?

[Rider_WV]

Food and beverages are a very personal choice. I ride with a camelback and usually use grape propel in it. For me a good breakfast is very important, it's the main fuel for the race. I like a bunch of scrambled eggs for the protein. Banana and some whole wheat toast. Then a couple more bananas before the race and usually mixed nuts and/or a protein bar or Lara bar. I have hand/wrist issues so I always take aleve to help with that.

Take a cooler with cold water and something to eat after the Race, I promise you will be starving.

If you get arm pump stop for a few seconds and shake them out, for me I would rather lose a little time shaking them out then pushing through and piling up Into a tree or taking someone else out. A little time lost here and there does add up but crashing a bunch because you can't feel the levers wastes more time and energy.

[novaboy]

Awesome advice on here, thanks from all us noobs. Yeroc40 and Silver good luck on your upcoming races, let us know how you make out, and have fun.

I just got home on Thursday night from work, 10 days turned into 2 weeks. Damn aircraft maintenance. Anyway, picked up my new to me 03 XR250R and got it home in the garage. Except for a quick blast up and down the street, I haven't been out yet. Tomorrow hopefully will be my first real ride.

There's a local hare scramble in August and an enduro in October that I have my sights set on. It won't be a competitive ride, just for fun for now.

More later once I realize after my first dirt ride that I'm not the dirt hero I am imagining in my head. LOL. Gotta stop watching MOTO 1, 2 and 3.