GNCC Race Prep
Posted: 01:47 pm Mar 03 2014
Just wanted to share some things I have learned along the way. I have been racing my purple 1996 KDX in the AWRCS series in PA for a couple years and it has proven to be very capable and reliable at a C class level. The series is very similar to GNCC racing, and the tracks actually tend to be tighter in my local series.
I love it but I am not fit or fast. Wear the best safety gear you can afford. Serious Injuries at the races are thankfully uncommon, but expect some bruises and monkey-butt.
For beginners: Just try to finish the 2 hour race. That is a huge accomplishment. Get there early and ask questions, everybody is friendly. It is a good family environment.
FITNESS:
If you want to run an endurance race, the best investment is in your fitness. You have to pace yourself, but the more fit you are, the faster the pace.
I prefer a bicycle over running, to save the knees, also to develop balance.
You have to conserve energy any way you can. Don't get stuck and don't fall. Easy, right?
TRAINING: Ride as much as you can with faster riders, to push the pace. Consider an MX track to develop timing and familiarity with the bike.
BIKE PREP:
We all know, upgrade the forks to more capable units. I had the stockers hang in ruts, too. If you are stuck in a rut, put one knee on the seat and try to keep the weight off the front and drive out of it. Worked for me once.
Take the time to dial in the rear suspension. Re-valves and springs are worth the money. Grease the linkage at least 2x a season. Your butt and back will thank you.
Take the time to get the jetting right: Poor Jetting = stalling. Stalling = kicking and not conserving energy.
Fouled plugs = pushing. Pushing sucks, that is why we buy bikes with engines.
Take the sidestand off ! It will hang in ruts and on roots.
If in doubt, replace it (cables, chain, brake pads, levers).
Get the good, full wrap handguards. The stock ones are inadequate. I have hit trees hard enough to bend the carbon-steel bars, and kept going.
Consider a woods handlebar bend. Or cut stock ones down an inch on each side. It may be a mental thing, but it makes a difference.
New plug for race day. A spare air filter is helpful, so you always have one ready to go.
New tires are always better, but you can get a season out of them.
General racing:
Consider running a 200 cc class, so you are only racing similar displacement bikes. A "bomber" (older bike) class is good, too.
GNCC: Pre-register online, it's WAY faster. And get ready for traffic. In the GNCC I ran two years ago, there were 400 bikes on a 9 mile course in the am race.
Look for ways around stuck riders. Younger riders are good for going fast then falling and blocking the trail.
Most obstacles reward being aggressive and maintaining momentum. See suspension setup and fitness.
The trail changes constantly, especially through mudholes. Look for a smoother, easier path. Experience helps a lot here.
Let faster riders by but don't stop to do it if at all possible. Some are rude and some are polite.
The most satisfying races I have had are when I have met up with a rider of similar speed and we "battled." Even when I lost. Or when I found good flow on the track and felt really fast.
Bike Failures I have had:
Fouled plugs - see jetting
Out of gas (not the kdx) - see jetting. The stock kdx tank is good for a two hour plus race.
Front brakes overheated and locked up on the kdx - should have changed the brake pads, and I suspect there was an issue with the master cylinder. Common on old bikes. Rebuilt the cylinder and no problems since.
Broken brake lever - see get good handguards.
Common Failures I have seen:
Bent/stripped shifter or rear brake pedal. I run a brake snake.
Flat tires - you should have run a little more air pressure!
Stick in the eye - keep those goggles on, I don't care how hot you are!
Stripped out front sprocket. see bike prep
I love it but I am not fit or fast. Wear the best safety gear you can afford. Serious Injuries at the races are thankfully uncommon, but expect some bruises and monkey-butt.
For beginners: Just try to finish the 2 hour race. That is a huge accomplishment. Get there early and ask questions, everybody is friendly. It is a good family environment.
FITNESS:
If you want to run an endurance race, the best investment is in your fitness. You have to pace yourself, but the more fit you are, the faster the pace.
I prefer a bicycle over running, to save the knees, also to develop balance.
You have to conserve energy any way you can. Don't get stuck and don't fall. Easy, right?
TRAINING: Ride as much as you can with faster riders, to push the pace. Consider an MX track to develop timing and familiarity with the bike.
BIKE PREP:
We all know, upgrade the forks to more capable units. I had the stockers hang in ruts, too. If you are stuck in a rut, put one knee on the seat and try to keep the weight off the front and drive out of it. Worked for me once.
Take the time to dial in the rear suspension. Re-valves and springs are worth the money. Grease the linkage at least 2x a season. Your butt and back will thank you.
Take the time to get the jetting right: Poor Jetting = stalling. Stalling = kicking and not conserving energy.
Fouled plugs = pushing. Pushing sucks, that is why we buy bikes with engines.
Take the sidestand off ! It will hang in ruts and on roots.
If in doubt, replace it (cables, chain, brake pads, levers).
Get the good, full wrap handguards. The stock ones are inadequate. I have hit trees hard enough to bend the carbon-steel bars, and kept going.
Consider a woods handlebar bend. Or cut stock ones down an inch on each side. It may be a mental thing, but it makes a difference.
New plug for race day. A spare air filter is helpful, so you always have one ready to go.
New tires are always better, but you can get a season out of them.
General racing:
Consider running a 200 cc class, so you are only racing similar displacement bikes. A "bomber" (older bike) class is good, too.
GNCC: Pre-register online, it's WAY faster. And get ready for traffic. In the GNCC I ran two years ago, there were 400 bikes on a 9 mile course in the am race.
Look for ways around stuck riders. Younger riders are good for going fast then falling and blocking the trail.
Most obstacles reward being aggressive and maintaining momentum. See suspension setup and fitness.
The trail changes constantly, especially through mudholes. Look for a smoother, easier path. Experience helps a lot here.
Let faster riders by but don't stop to do it if at all possible. Some are rude and some are polite.
The most satisfying races I have had are when I have met up with a rider of similar speed and we "battled." Even when I lost. Or when I found good flow on the track and felt really fast.
Bike Failures I have had:
Fouled plugs - see jetting
Out of gas (not the kdx) - see jetting. The stock kdx tank is good for a two hour plus race.
Front brakes overheated and locked up on the kdx - should have changed the brake pads, and I suspect there was an issue with the master cylinder. Common on old bikes. Rebuilt the cylinder and no problems since.
Broken brake lever - see get good handguards.
Common Failures I have seen:
Bent/stripped shifter or rear brake pedal. I run a brake snake.
Flat tires - you should have run a little more air pressure!
Stick in the eye - keep those goggles on, I don't care how hot you are!
Stripped out front sprocket. see bike prep