Is there a course where you can rider with out crashing twenty times and get hurt? OK this is where skill comes in. Wear armour, it's well worth every penny. I'm an ex-wheelchair pilot and I wear knee braces. I always wear armour and I have never had an injury at a race. At our race, the Piston Run, we've had two injuries in about five years. One was an expert clocking a tree with his head. The other was a broken ankle at the start when someone stepped on another rider's ankle. And we're known as one of the tougher races in the series. Also if you get hurt, consider that you may be riding over your skill level. If you can't keep it together then slow down. You should not be racing at the edge of control if you're beginning. You do not have to ride like that. You aren't expected to ride like that. Endurance matters just as much as speed. Also I don't think anyone has given you the simple advice when starting out; "Race for yourself" Ride at your speed. If people catch up and push you, pull over. You do not have to race them. You do not have to ride over your head. There is nothing in the rules that says it's illegal to stop for a break. Remember that you are only racing against riders in your class. You don't have to race everybody. The masters and experts are supercompetitive because they are the best in BC and want to earn that bragging right. You aren't. In the other classes there are about 3-5 riders in each class that compete the series aggressively. The rest just go out and see how fast they are. Enter a class that you are suited for.
The reason why riders crash is because they are pushing their limits. But if you don't push it, then your limits will never rise. Racing is fun for those who like a challenge and the thrill of competition. Racing is a chance for you to put your skills to the test and see how you stack up to the competiton. No bull****. Also racing is a test of mental strength. Can you keep going when you body begs you to stop? When you're begining, it will be hard. Motorcycle riding at speed will tax your body. If you want a fun little ride then go check out some poker runs. You should ask yourself why you are racing? Go play ride for a few years and get into shape and sharpen your riding skills.
I'm sorry that you don't find racing fun. It's because your new to this and you don't have the skills to ride quickly. It takes skill to ride fast, to know how the bike handles different conditions, to learn how to read lines and ride over obstacles, It takes practice, lots of practice. I'm in the same boat. This is my first year back racing and my new mount is a DRZ. I have to go learn to ride a bike that is a four stroke, with 60lbs on my KDX and about 15 more ponies. I will tell you at times that my bike is not fun to ride at places like Chipmunk. I could ride like the wind on my KDX, but not the DRZ. But I kept with it. I found that the DRZ hauls ass on more open sections and it's a good mount for the interior races. With a good setup and some practice, I will do well in ther series.
As for an easy course? Well easy is subjective term. To a Master, easy is a vertical cliff face with loose rock and mud. To a Junior, easy is a logging road. How do I as a race organizer build an easy course. Riders will complain that a course is too short and too easy just as much as too hard and too long. I know plenty of riders that will come out to a challenging race just for the sake of beating it. My favorite race was the 1996 Gritty Ginch at McNutt, which involved a truly muddy course with a nice hip-deep creek crossing. This is what good stories are made of. Like I said before a club with 3-4 guys cutting trail doesn't have the manpower to groom the trails nicely. Also the local conditions make trail cutting difficult. Chipmunk Creek is on the side of a mountain for crying out loud, we couldn't cut a level section if we tried. The whole area is strewn with rocks and trees. Every course I have ridden in the past have been passable. I have play ridden at Nicklemine, Herrling, Vedder, McNutt and Chipmunk. I have ridden all the trails up in these places sucessfully.
"Do not pray for a task that is suited to your strength, pray for strength that is suited to your task"
Mike / Team Grizzly