[Fletch 1]

Is there an Arizona race that would well suited for beginners? I'm not ready yet but I would like to have a date that I can use as a training target. I really just want to compete against myself as more of a personal goal. Some type of reasonable distance, not real competitive and hopefully friendly type XC race to get my feet wet on and I will build from there.

BTW, I would like to be rich and taller too! Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[WhiskersOfDeath]

The Whiskey off road has a 15 mile fun ride on Friday (Am races are Sat. and Pros will be on Sunday). This is one of the big events for the year and a great weekend.

Whiskey Off Road

 

[surfndav]

The MBAA beginners races are just that, for beginners. Most age groups (mens) have 30 or so racers and maybe a hand full those are competitive. Most races are between 10 to 12 miles. If you can ride that distance without stopping or having a mechanical you most likely wont finish last. I had a lot of fun racing Cat III back in the day.

Link:http://mbaa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=20&Itemid=35

 

[Maadjurguer]

What do you consider "reasonable distance"......?????

 

[AZ]

Tour of the White Mountains,

http://google.ad.sgdoubleclick.net/...t/index.php?search=tour+f+the+white+mountains

Distances from 10 to 60 miles , pick your poison .

 

[Fletch 1]

Great suggestions, I will look into these. I should have clarified what I was referring to by "reasonable distance" I was trying to avoid the 12 & 24 Hour events that I have read about. Something under 20 miles sound reasonable and it appears that most of the above mentioned fits that criteria.

 

[cstem]

Something I did when thinking of racing was to run the courses that the MBAA races on and compare my times to the finishers in the Cat 3 (beginner) class. It was free and relevant.

I also had two buddies that raced the same class so we had a few "mock-race" training rides. Check out mbaa.net for race courses and distances, most are there and those that aren't- well there are enough racers past and present that could help you with info too.

In fact- I am thinking of hitting McDowell Comp Loops tomorrow. I wasn't planning on running "race" loops, but maybe I will to see if I am faster than the Cat 3 class yet. I raced Sport with is Cat2 and want to race again-when I won't get lapped by hikers!