Racing Frequency Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why would I want to race? Which category should I be in? How does the MMBA Championship Point Series (CPS) work? What is the difference between time trial and cross-country races? Do I need a racing license? What are the rules during the race? What should I carry on my bike? What kind of support is there on the course? When should I arrive at the race site? Should I pre-ride the course? When should I pre-ride? Where can I get training information? What is cyclocross racing? Why would I want to race? Everyone has their own reasons for racing: the speed, camaraderie, competitiveness (with yourself and others), social aspects, spectating, kids races, a point series, pain, challenge, awards, beautiful courses, motivation for training, fitness, etc. The racing experience will inevitably provide memories of accomplishment, whether you won a race or just suffered harder than you thought you ever could just to see that darned finish line. You'll have stories of good luck, bad weather, and pain. The challenges you'll battle on the race course will certainly put perspective on the lessor challenges of your everyday life. Invariably, you'll find yourself alongside someone who's the same speed as you. You‘ll go back and forth during the race, exchanging handshakes or congratulations at the finish. Which race category should I be in? The following are the recommendations from the MMBA Point Series Rules Beginner - Racers with little or no experience in mountain bike racing. Most beginner racers will be in this class for their first year. Sport - Racers with one or more years experience in mountain bike racing, road racers with significant cycling experience, those who have the skills and experience to race as a sport rider. Expert - Racers with significant race experience and enough fitness to race at a more competitive level than sport. Elite - The top 5% of all racers compete in this class. Your skill level and fitness should be such that you do not pose a hazard or impediment to other racers in this class. How does the MMBA Championship Point Series work? The Point Series ranks racers based on their results at Series races. At the end of the year, the top three in each racing category are given awards. To be in the Series, you must be an MMBA member and pay the one-time $5 Point Series fee. What is the difference between time trial and cross-country races? In a time trial, racers are assigned a starting time. Pre-registered riders are grouped by their race category and start first. Everyone else is started based on the order in which they were registered. Racers are typically started two at a time every 30 seconds. They are usually one-lap races or two lap races. Top racers usually finish is less than an hour. This race format is preferred on courses that don't offer much room for passing. Time trials are a good choice for first-time racers as you are primarily competing against the clock. In the Cross-country format, racers are started in waves based on their race category (e.g. Sport men 30-34.) Most cross-country races involve multiple laps. The number of laps is based on the race category (e.g. 4 laps for experts, 3 for sport, and 2 for beginner.) To avoid confusion and congestion on the course, the expert/elite, sport, and beginners ordinarily don't race on the course at the same time. At some multiple lap races, the expert/elite class races with the sport class. Some cross-country races are point-to-point, which means the start and finish lines are far apart. Michigan's Iceman race is a good example since it starts in the City of Kalkaska and finishes in Traverse City. Do I need a racing license? No you don't with only a few exceptions. Most Michigan race promoters choose to not sanction their races with NORBA, the national mountain biking governing body. Therefore, no NORBA license is required. For the races that do require licensing, refer to the NORBA web site for fee and application information. What are the rules during the race? Michigan races generally follow the standard NORBA rules. What should I carry on my bike? The answer depends on how much risk your willing to take. If your bike works flawlessly, you may only need water and, depending on the race distance, some form of nutrition. However, if you get a flat tire and don't have the tools, your race might be over. Most racers carry a spare tube and either a pump or CO2 cartridges. You may want to carry tire levers, though in a pinch, you can use a quick-release handle. A multi-purpose tool can be invaluable, especially if it includes a chain tool. Quick tube patch kits are small and may come in handy for dealing with multiple flats. You don't want to learn how to use your tools on the racecourse. It's a good idea to learn how they work in advance rather than fumble with them during a race. What kind of support is there on the course? Depending on the race, there may be water, sports drink, or food offered. If you're relying on that support, make sure you know where it is on the course and what will be offered. Also, you should be cautious when counting on a sports drink you have not tried before. You do not want an upset stomach to ruin your moment of glory. When should I arrive at the race site? That varies depending on whether you want to pre-ride the course, if you're already registered, etc. It's best to err on the early side and not waste energy racing to get to the starting line. Also note that races early in the season, especially the Yankee Springs Time Trial, are a little more crowded. You'll want to leave extra time for getting in the park and registering. Should I pre-ride the course? Yes, but only if it's practical. Pre-riding a course offers numerous advantages, especially if you've never ridden it before. It's always best to know what to expect in advance. You'll want to know the best lines on the loose climbs and in the more technical areas, where the finish line is as well as the good places for passing. The better you know the course, the better you can gauge where you are and how much effort you can expend to get to the finish. Pre-riding also lets you test your equipment, such as your tire selection, tire pressure, and suspension setup. When should I pre-ride? Often times you can arrive early and pre-ride the course before your race start, however this may be impractical or not-allowed if others are racing before you. This may also be impractical if the course is very difficult or is a point-to-point race. Another option is to pre-ride the course before race day. Most of the multi-lap races held on public land are available for pre-riding. Some of the races on private land may be accessible as well. Typically, courses are not marked until one or two days before the race. Where can I get training information? The VeloNews web site is an excellent starting point. What is cyclocross racing? Cyclocross was originally a winter training regimen for European road racers. It involves riding laps on short courses which area combination of dirt, pavement, and grass. There are wooden barriers set up throughout the course. These barriers force riders to dismount, carry their bikes, and remount as fast as possible. These barriers were originally added to force the cyclists to run, which helped keep their feet warm. These races are multiple laps and are based on time. Beginners typically race for 45 minutes while others race for an hour. The race promoter rings a bell when there is one lap remaining. Cyclocross bikes look like road bikes with fatter tires and mountain bike brakes. However, you can certainly do the cyclocross race on a mountain bike (as long as you remove any bar-ends.) The short courses, barriers, and group dynamics make cyclocross races exciting to watch.

Racing Frequency Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why would I want to race?
Which category should I be in?
How does the MMBA Championship Point Series (CPS) work?
What is the difference between time trial and cross-country races?
Do I need a racing license?
What are the rules during the race?
What should I carry on my bike?
What kind of support is there on the course?
When should I arrive at the race site?
Should I pre-ride the course?
When should I pre-ride?
Where can I get training information?
What is cyclocross racing?

Why would I want to race?

Everyone has their own reasons for racing: the speed, camaraderie, competitiveness (with yourself and others), social aspects, spectating, kids races, a point series, pain, challenge, awards, beautiful courses, motivation for training, fitness, etc.

The racing experience will inevitably provide memories of accomplishment, whether you won a race or just suffered harder than you thought you ever could just to see that darned finish line. You'll have stories of good luck, bad weather, and pain. The challenges you'll battle on the race course will certainly put perspective on the lessor challenges of your everyday life.

Invariably, you'll find yourself alongside someone who's the same speed as you. You‘ll go back and forth during the race, exchanging handshakes or congratulations at the finish.

Which race category should I be in?

The following are the recommendations from the MMBA Point Series Rules

Beginner - Racers with little or no experience in mountain bike racing. Most beginner racers will be in this class for their first year.

Sport - Racers with one or more years experience in mountain bike racing, road racers with significant cycling experience, those who have the skills and experience to race as a sport rider.

Expert - Racers with significant race experience and enough fitness to race at a more competitive level than sport.

Elite - The top 5% of all racers compete in this class. Your skill level and fitness should be such that you do not pose a hazard or impediment to other racers in this class.

How does the MMBA Championship Point Series work?

The Point Series ranks racers based on their results at Series races. At the end of the year, the top three in each racing category are given awards. To be in the Series, you must be an MMBA member and pay the one-time $5 Point Series fee.

What is the difference between time trial and cross-country races?

In a time trial, racers are assigned a starting time. Pre-registered riders are grouped by their race category and start first. Everyone else is started based on the order in which they were registered. Racers are typically started two at a time every 30 seconds. They are usually one-lap races or two lap races. Top racers usually finish is less than an hour. This race format is preferred on courses that don't offer much room for passing. Time trials are a good choice for first-time racers as you are primarily competing against the clock.

In the Cross-country format, racers are started in waves based on their race category (e.g. Sport men 30-34.) Most cross-country races involve multiple laps. The number of laps is based on the race category (e.g. 4 laps for experts, 3 for sport, and 2 for beginner.) To avoid confusion and congestion on the course, the expert/elite, sport, and beginners ordinarily don't race on the course at the same time. At some multiple lap races, the expert/elite class races with the sport class.

Some cross-country races are point-to-point, which means the start and finish lines are far apart. Michigan's Iceman race is a good example since it starts in the City of Kalkaska and finishes in Traverse City.

Do I need a racing license?

No you don't with only a few exceptions. Most Michigan race promoters choose to not sanction their races with NORBA, the national mountain biking governing body. Therefore, no NORBA license is required. For the races that do require licensing, refer to the NORBA web site for fee and application information.

What are the rules during the race?

Michigan races generally follow the standard NORBA rules.

What should I carry on my bike?

The answer depends on how much risk your willing to take. If your bike works flawlessly, you may only need water and, depending on the race distance, some form of nutrition. However, if you get a flat tire and don't have the tools, your race might be over.

Most racers carry a spare tube and either a pump or CO2 cartridges. You may want to carry tire levers, though in a pinch, you can use a quick-release handle. A multi-purpose tool can be invaluable, especially if it includes a chain tool. Quick tube patch kits are small and may come in handy for dealing with multiple flats.

You don't want to learn how to use your tools on the racecourse. It's a good idea to learn how they work in advance rather than fumble with them during a race.

What kind of support is there on the course?

Depending on the race, there may be water, sports drink, or food offered. If you're relying on that support, make sure you know where it is on the course and what will be offered.

Also, you should be cautious when counting on a sports drink you have not tried before. You do not want an upset stomach to ruin your moment of glory.

When should I arrive at the race site?

That varies depending on whether you want to pre-ride the course, if you're already registered, etc. It's best to err on the early side and not waste energy racing to get to the starting line.

Also note that races early in the season, especially the Yankee Springs Time Trial, are a little more crowded. You'll want to leave extra time for getting in the park and registering.

Should I pre-ride the course?

Yes, but only if it's practical. Pre-riding a course offers numerous advantages, especially if you've never ridden it before. It's always best to know what to expect in advance. You'll want to know the best lines on the loose climbs and in the more technical areas, where the finish line is as well as the good places for passing. The better you know the course, the better you can gauge where you are and how much effort you can expend to get to the finish.

Pre-riding also lets you test your equipment, such as your tire selection, tire pressure, and suspension setup.

When should I pre-ride?

Often times you can arrive early and pre-ride the course before your race start, however this may be impractical or not-allowed if others are racing before you. This may also be impractical if the course is very difficult or is a point-to-point race.

Another option is to pre-ride the course before race day. Most of the multi-lap races held on public land are available for pre-riding. Some of the races on private land may be accessible as well. Typically, courses are not marked until one or two days before the race.

Where can I get training information?

The VeloNews web site is an excellent starting point.

What is cyclocross racing?

Cyclocross was originally a winter training regimen for European road racers. It involves riding laps on short courses which area combination of dirt, pavement, and grass. There are wooden barriers set up throughout the course. These barriers force riders to dismount, carry their bikes, and remount as fast as possible. These barriers were originally added to force the cyclists to run, which helped keep their feet warm.

These races are multiple laps and are based on time. Beginners typically race for 45 minutes while others race for an hour. The race promoter rings a bell when there is one lap remaining.

Cyclocross bikes look like road bikes with fatter tires and mountain bike brakes. However, you can certainly do the cyclocross race on a mountain bike (as long as you remove any bar-ends.)

The short courses, barriers, and group dynamics make cyclocross races exciting to watch.