Biomechanics
By Amanda Brunner

Tips For Racers And Wannabes Alike

It may be a bit early, but you can almost feel spring in the air. And I don’t know about you, but the first thing that comes to my mind when the weather starts to improve is racing. Don’t worry if your riding is strictly recreational, the following tips will be of use whether you’re a light trail rider or a seasoned veteran racer.

For many, getting ready for race day can be more difficult than the race itself. You’ve done all the hard work and training over the off-season and now there’s a mere 24 hours before the big day. What do you do first?

Take a deep breath and gather up all your supplies the night before. You don’t want to add additional worry when you should be sleeping as to what to pack in the morning. Besides the stress, you certainly don’t want to rush around early in the morning.

The first thing you should do is to put your beverages in the freezer. Yes they will come out in the morning a frozen brick but by the time you will need them they should be perfectly cold. Next make sure you place your first aid kit in the supply pile. Not only should you have sunscreen in your supplies, you should apply a nice coat before your race regardless of the time of year. The key here is to apply your first coat before you leave the house and the next before you mount up. If you’re a heavy sweater apply more as often as possible.

Next, bring a good chap stick too; the sensitive tissue of the lips needs endless protection from both the sun and the air. Most riders understand the benefits of packing along gels, energy bars, and trail mixes but it’s never a bad idea to toss a few hard candies into the pack. They take up very little room, weigh almost nothing, and are an instant hit of sugar should your blood-level take a dip during the race.

We’ve all heard this one, but its significance cannot be overstated: Make sure you get a good night sleep. Sleep is vital to the body especially before a strenuous day. In the morning make sure you eat a high protein breakfast as sugary cereals are too easily digested. Sugar gives a rush but by the time you hit the track, that energy will have been spent. An egg omelet, yogurt, and fresh fruit make a great race day breakfast, as does oatmeal with fruit.

Stick to these tips and you’ll have a great start to your big day, the rest is up to you.

If you have any questions on this topic or any other medical topics related to cycling please e-mail Amanda.

Who knows, your question may be in the next article.