Have you ever raced your mountain bike?

Mountain bike racing can be fun, but it isn't for everyone.

By Jeff Barber
August 4, 2024

10 comments

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Racing has been a part of mountain biking since the beginning of the sport. Still, not everyone chooses to race. With the Olympics and World Cup race season in full swing, we want to know if you’ve ever competed in a mountain bike race.

If you’re looking for a race to enter this summer or fall, check out the Singletracks mountain bike race calendar. And tell us what type of mountain bike racing is your favorite in the comments below!

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10 Comments

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IdahoSJ Idaho // 2018
Aug 4, 2024

It seems that racers to non-racers is a 2:1 ratio in the above polling. I appreciate Singletracks efforts to appeal to all riders. It does not seem like your articles and reviews are slanted towards racing 2:1. You have a good blend for all your readers.
Keep up the good work and interesting, informative articles.

4 reply

AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Aug 5, 2024

Thanks! Just to clarify, it sounds like you are saying 2 out of 3 Singletracks articles and reviews are NOT slanted toward racing, and that is a good thing even though 2 out of 3 readers are racers.

2 reply

IdahoSJ Idaho // 2018
Aug 6, 2024

Yes, that is correct.

1 reply

OhioFatBiker Ohio // 2016
Aug 4, 2024

“Race” is a strong word for what I do. I enter events, suffer and hopefully finish, bonus if I don’t finish last. Races are just a pin in the calendar to motivate me to improve my fitness on days where I may not be super motivated. The other thing is that a lot of races serve as fundraisers for trails or the local cycling community, and where else can you hang out with so many other bike nerds?

3 reply

JSTootell 2017
Aug 4, 2024

I haven't raced in weeks.

I started mountain biking because of racing. They are completely tied together.

I get that it isn't for everyone, that's fine. But I love it.

highland.hippie Queensland // 2021
Aug 5, 2024

It's... complicated.

I have raced "a" mountain bike before, quite a number of times.

However, I haven't yet raced my most recently purchased mountain bike, as I have not been able to remain uninjured long enough to do so (since its purchase last September).

Broken ankle, then concussion. Now a (going on) 5 week cough that won't fuck off.

Hopefully finally get there in September. Fuck. 12 months after purchase.

thebadpixel Delaware // 2022
Aug 4, 2024

Yes, but not in 20 years, and even then only a few times. Mountain biking to me is about having fun with friends, enjoying nature, helping a stranger fix a broken chain, maintaining the local trails and fostering a welcoming community of riders that is respectful of both the land and other trail users. Racing seemed to be all the things I didn't enjoy about riding and none of the things I did. I'd much rather participate in group ride events or festivals where everyone is just there to have a good time riding bikes.

Everything you said about enjoying riding is the exact same thing for racing. All of it.

All of my "rivals" are friends. Hell, I yelled at one of them last year for fading near the end and he upped his effort only to pass me just before the finish. I haven't beat him since then.

I have stopped to help people fix their bikes mid race, or loaned out my tools so they could do it themselves.

Welcoming and encouraging new racers is the goal. Last year's final only a few women showed up, so all of them switched race classes and all raced in the same class together, just to race together.

I feel like you have a real bad idea of what racing is.

Hap Proctor Florida // 2014
Sep 16, 2024

Started riding late in life and have no interest in racing, but understand folks enjoying the competition and the social aspect of the event. I do have a complaint though……… there are several races each year on our local network and unfortunately none of the organizers contribute to the upkeep of the trails.

marvinmartian 2009
Aug 5, 2024

When I first got into mtn biking in the mid 90's, racing was just a part of it that almost everyone did. Almost every race had a "first timer" category that seemed to have at least 15 people per race. It was so much fun; the competition and, mostly, the comradery. I met people at races that I am either still friends with today, or at least follow on Strava as virtual friends, almost 30 years later. I wish the racing scene would blow up again like it was back then, but it seems people these days corelate racing with a stuffy athletic attitude when it should really mostly be about having fun in a friendly competition, much like a 5k is to runners these days. Most 5k participants are not hardcore runners and do not expect to win, but show up for the fun aspect

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