Hello everybody! My name is Hazel, and I have been mountain biking with the Sharks for two years now.

My first race was a total mess–literally. As I looked around at the venue, all I saw was rain and mud. It was POURING, and the trails were in miserable condition. However, the show must go on, and I continued to ride. Afterwards, my bike and I were covered in mud. But it was fun, and I knew I wanted to do it again, no matter the conditions.

In general, most races have much nicer weather than my first, and are definitely one of my favorite parts of the season. All races are held on Sundays, with the first one falling a few weeks after the first practice. The day before the race, all teams set up their tents at the venue, and the course opens for preriding. You get together with your team, familiarize yourself with the trails, and just hang out with everybody from teams around the state. It’s all about having fun and bonding with your teammates. Keep a special eye out for the GRiT and merch tents where you can find fun arts and crafts, eye black, and NICA clothes. Whether you stay the night at or near the venue is up to you, though it may make things easier, as some races are up to three hours away from where you normally practice.

On race day, trails open for preriding again in the morning, which I appreciated the one time I couldn’t make it the day before. Then–let the races begin! You will compete within your same sex and grade. Once you finish and clean up, the rest of the day can be spent hanging out with and cheering on your friends. About thirty minutes after the varsity boys have finished, the awards ceremony is held. This is where the top five racers from each category receive their medals. Finally, after two days of biking and fun, the NICA race experience is done…for now. It will all happen again before long!

Going to a race for the first time can definitely be scary, especially if you don’t know what to expect or how to prepare yourself physically and mentally. Here are a few tips to help make your first racing experience as enjoyable as possible:

One of the most important things you can do to make sure you’re able to race to the best of your ability is drink enough water. Water is so important, for so many reasons; it keeps you hydrated, makes sure your muscles are ready for riding, raises your endurance, and makes sure you’re in a good mood. Another big one is to get enough sleep the night before. It’s definitely tempting to stay up, especially if you’re talking to friends, but it’s crucial to give your body enough time to rest before your big day. Once you wake up, make sure you–wait for it–drink even more water, and eat an appropriate breakfast to fuel your body for your race. You can always ask your coaches for suggestions on what to eat.

During the race, there are a few things you can do to ensure your success. Ride at a maintainable speed, probably about 80% of your fastest, so that you don’t get too burnt out. Again, water is important. Whether you have a hydration pack or a water bottle, make sure you’re drinking enough while riding. For even better hydration, mix an electrolyte powder into your water. If you have a water bottle and run out, you can get a full one at the “feed zone,” a special area on the course where you can get support from the coaches.

Once you cross the finish line, you still aren’t done riding quite yet. Before you go to relax, it’s good to do a few minutes of easy cooldown riding around the venue. This allows your body to gradually return to its normal resting state. Another good thing to do is drink chocolate milk. The immediate sugar will give you energy, and the protein is good for muscle repair. Now the most important thing of all: feel good about yourself! No matter how you did, these races are meant for having fun. So whether you placed first, or last, or anything in between, just know that your enjoyment should be your top priority.

Although the idea of racing can be quite intimidating at first, it really is an amazing experience that I and so many others look forward to each year. So even if you’re only slightly interested, you should come check it out. See you on the course!