[Yo Sake]

<p>I am planning to ride in a MTB XC race next Sunday but haven't decided to race in Beginner or Sport category.  At my level, nobody (to my knowledge) tells me or cares whether I race either category.  Last year I raced in beginner (2 laps) finishing 4th out of 5 in 40+ AG.  It took me 51min or so per lap.  Pretty slow, barely survived my first ever off-road race.  One side of me says to go for a longer ride and work on endurance, especially if I want to go to the Xterra Nationals again.  It will take me at least 2.5hrs to finish the 3laps. The other side of me says to work on the speed and just go 2 laps, faster.  All of the local Xterra races are around 1~1.5hrs ride.  The only 2.5hrs+ ride I ever done (on MTB) was at the Xterra Nationals in Utah last year.  My rides have been around 1.5hrs or less so far this year.</p>
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<p>You opinion?</p>
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[jroden]

<p>sport.  it's more fun and the longer races are better exercise.</p>

 

[Alaska Mike]

<p>Well for me the answer would depend on the quality of racing in each category.  If I wasn't going to be DFL and well-behind everyone in the Sport category then I would go with that.  You get better by competing against (and training with) better competition, as long as you're not getting dropped and spending the entire ride by yourself (if that happens, you might as well be doing a training ride by yourself and save the entry fee).</p>
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<p>Mike</p>

 

[Yo Sake]

<p>Mike, thanks for your input.</p>
<p>I am so BOP at MTB races and 'competition' wasn't even in my head at all.  Looking at the last year's results, there were more crazy middle-aged women (40+) in the sport category (8 riders) than beginner (5 riders) and I probably wouldn't have finished dead last.  Combining men and women, there will be only a handful riders slowe than me and so far apart from each other, so I know I will be riding the 3rd lap all by myself.  At least for the first two laps, there will be tons of riders in sight (passing me) and I can get entertained by how fast those guys are flying by me.  I enjoy the atomosphere and wathcing the fast guys riding at MTB races.  I just don't want to come into the finish line as the award ceremony is going...... </p>
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<p>I am leaning toward the sport.  Not sure if my butt can handle it.</p>