Average Speed Mountain Biking Tips – Learn How to Pick Up Speed on Your Mountain Bike

Average Speed Mountain Biking Tips – Learn How to Pick Up Speed on Your Mountain Bike photo 4

Everything You Need to Know About Average Speed Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is an exciting sport that allows you to fully immerse yourself in nature while getting an intense cardio workout. Within mountain biking, there are different disciplines like downhill, cross-country, and average speed riding. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of average speed mountain biking to answer all the questions a new rider may have.

What is Average Speed Mountain Biking?

Average speed mountain biking, commonly referred to as “enduro,” involves riding mountain bike trails with both uphill and downhill sections as fast as possible while maintaining an average speed over a set distance or time period. The goal is to maximize your speed on the descents while minimizing time spent climbing back up. Riders compete against the clock rather than each other directly.

From my experience doing enduro races, they typically involve 5-7 stages over different trail segments with varying terrain. Time spent on each downhill stage is recorded, with penalties added for time spent on the uphill sections between stages. The winner is the rider who completes all stages with the lowest overall time.

Bike Setup for Average Speed Riding

The bikes used for enduro racing are different than those used for cross-country or downhill racing. Here are the key components to focus on:

  1. Suspension – Look for 160-180mm of front and rear travel to handle rough terrain at high speeds.
  2. Drivetrain – 1x gearing is common to simplify shifting for uphills and downhills.
  3. Wheels – Wider rims and heavier tire casings provide stability over technical rock gardens and jumps.
  4. Brakes – Powerful hydraulic disc brakes are essential for controlling speed on long descents.

Adjusting suspension damping, tire pressure, and ride settings based on your weight and ability is also important. An enduro bike allows you to bomb downhill sections aggressively while still having the versatility to climb back up the mountain efficiently.

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Training for Average Speed Riding

To excel at enduro racing, having a well-rounded training plan is key. Here are some essential elements to focus on:

  1. Cardio fitness – Long rides help build endurance for multiple stages and climbs.
  2. Hill repeats – Short, steep efforts improve power and leg strength for uphills.
  3. Skills sessions – Work on balance, braking technique, and navigating technical sections.
  4. Gym time – Strength training 2-3 times per week boosts overall fitness.
  5. Recovery – Allow for rest days and easy spins to avoid burnout and injury.

Racing experience is also important for learning how to pace yourself and pushing limits on race runs. Consider starting with shorter enduro events before longer, more physically demanding ones. Proper fueling during races with snacks and hydration is equally important.

Choosing an Average Speed Race

When choosing your first enduro race, factors like location, terrain difficulty, stage length, and field size should all be considered. Here are a few options to consider:

  1. Regional series – Often beginner-friendly with varying terrain like Colorado Enduro Series.
  2. National events – Races part of ENDURO World Series draw pros but have classes for all levels.
  3. One-day races – Full-day events if you want the overall enduro experience.
  4. Multi-day stage races – More traveling but opportunities to improve over consecutive days.

Scouting the course in advance is hugely beneficial for pacing yourself and gaining confidence on race day. Don’t be afraid to start with non-competitive “enduro challenge” style events for exposure to the discipline too.

Gearing Up for a Race

To give yourself the best chance of success on race day, here are some key pieces of gear to pack:

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  1. Full-face helmet – Mandatory for protection on technical downhill sections.
  2. Gloves – Essential for preventing blisters and absorbing impacts in crashes.
  3. Knee/shin pads – Helps minimize pedal strikes on hard surfaces like rock.
  4. Camelbak – Staying hydrated over multiple stages is crucial to avoiding bonking.
  5. Multi-tool – Small issues can cost a lot of time without means of making repairs on trail.
  6. Phone – Used for timing with apps like Eroica or Strava, and navigation later.

Don’t forget basics like extra food, layers for varying temps, and cash for entry/shutdown transport. Proper preparation is key to ensuring a positive experience on race day versus being limited by lack of proper equipment or supplies.

Managing Expectations & Risk

Enduro racing involves pushing your skills and endurance to the limit on real mountain bike trails. Inevitably, some risks must be accepted to participate fully. However, there are steps any rider can take to race smartly and minimize exposure to injury:

  1. Start on “green” level courses suitable to your abilities before moving up.
  2. Scout stages in advance to get familiar with terrain features and lines.
  3. Pace yourself on stages rather than blowing up from going too hard too fast.
  4. Wear proper safety gear like a full-face helmet, pads, gloves on stages.
  5. Consider your physical limits – know when your fitness isn’t fully race-ready.
  6. Stay in control – don’t attempt features beyond skill level even if trying to go fast.

Riding within your limits, preparing well, and accepting some risk are part of the rewards of enduro racing. With reasonable safety practices, most riders can participate for years to come. But it’s always smart to listen to your body and not push things too far too soon for your experience level either.

In summary, average speed mountain biking involves maximizing downhill flows while minimizing uphill effort over full-mountain courses against the clock. With the proper bike setup, training plan, safety gear, and risk management – any mountain biker can experience the thrill of enduro racing. I hope this article covered all the major aspects new riders would want to know. Feel free to ask if any other enduro questions come up!

Important Factors When Choosing a Mountain Bike

Category Details
Frame Material Aluminum, steel, carbon fiber, and titanium frames offer varying levels of strength, weight and cost.
Suspension Type Hardtail, front suspension only, or full suspension for varied terrain handling.
Wheel Size 26″, 27.5″, or 29″ wheel sizes affect maneuverability, ground clearance and speed.
Drivetrain Number of gears and rear derailleur type for gear range and performance.
Brake Type Rim, disc or hydraulic brakes provide stopping power for different conditions.

FAQ

  1. What is average speed mountain biking?

    Average speed mountain biking basically means how fast you can ride your mountain bike over a certain distance or time period. It involves riding technical trails and going up and down hills, so your pace can vary a lot.

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  2. How do you calculate your average speed?

    To calculate your average speed, you need to know how long it took to complete your ride and the total distance traveled. So you take the distance in miles and divide it by the time taken in hours. For example, if you rode 10 miles in 2 hours, your average speed would be 10/2 = 5 mph.

  3. What is a good average speed for a beginner?

    For a beginner mountain biker, an average speed of around 5-7 mph over varied terrain is pretty good. Don’t feel bad if you’re slower at first – it takes time to build skills and endurance. The main things as a newbie are to enjoy yourself and gradually push your limits in a safe manner.

  4. How can I increase my average speed?

    To pedal faster over time, work on your technical skills, strength, and stamina. Ride hills often to improve your climbing pace. Do interval training to build bursts of speed. Consider upgrading your bike‘s components if really pushing goals. Yet some experts say average speed shouldn’t always be the main focus – having fun is what really matters most out on the trails!

  1. What is a good average speed for an experienced rider?

    Experienced mountain bikers can often average speeds of 10-15 mph or faster depending on terrain. But there’s quite a range – some may consider 7-8 mph still respectable if tackling very challenging trails. While others hit 20+ mph on cross-country style courses. Ultimately, having the skill to navigate obstacles safely at your own speed is more important than numbers.

  2. Do e-bikes affect average speed stats?

    Yes, e-bikes can definitely boost one’s average speed numbers. The electric motor provides power uphill and on flats, allowing riders to sustain faster paces than non-motorized bikes. However, some argue this is an “unfair advantage” when comparing e-bike speeds to traditional mountain bikes. Others maintain that as long as everyone is having fun, the type of bike shouldn’t matter too much in the end.

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  • What’s the fastest average speed ever recorded?

    The current men’s record for fastest average speed mountain biking is held by pro racer Sam Gaze of New Zealand. In 2019, he covered a 76-mile cross-country course in just 3 hours and 15 minutes – achieving an astonishing average speed of over 23 mph! While most recreational riders could never attain such lofty goals, it’s still inspiring to see the upper limits of human athletic potential on a mountain bike.