Raceday routine?

25 years ago my pre-race ritual consisted of partying all night :yeehaw: Didn't bring me much luck :ugg:

Now I do a lot of stretching so I don't hurt myself to early in the race

My race day routine is crawling out of bed starting and warming up the bike, filling it with gas, and then watching thekid ride it away.

Actually we have a routine that I go to the line with him and have to say each time "ride fast, ride smart, have fun and I'll see you at the finish". Didn't say it one week and he crashed and broke his collarbone.

Prior to race day I try to eat a lot of food containing carbs the night before, refrain from alcohol, and get a good nights sleep. What usually happens though, is I go out, eat crap food, have a few to many drinks and only get about 5 hours sleep before dragging myself out of bed at the crack of dawn.

On race day my routine consists of emptying my bladder as soon as we arrive, unloading the bike and gear, & getting my nylons on. Amazingly my bladder has the ability to feel full again just before I need to go to the start line.

I learned not to take Nyquil after 10pm the night before a race and on weekends that my band gigs I don't race.

On the days I do race, I try to get a fairly good nights rest but that doesn't always happen. I try to dring only water the day before also. Try to get up at least 2 hours before practice and start stretching about 45 minutes before the ride. Stretching that works best for me is typical leg stretches and squats, the normal back, arm and neck stuff and then on to my wrists & hands. I like to do about 20 push ups and sometimes jumping-jacks. I've found that pretend jump rope helps too. I pee just before practice.

Before the race I pee again. At the gate I stretch my back and rotate my neck. Most of the time I find myself beside my bike doing a few more squats and then stretch my forearms by placing my fingertips on the bottom of my grips, palms up and slightly pushing upward. I think about peeing again and wonder if I can make it through the moto without my kidneys floating. I take several deep breaths and try to relax and usually have the person operating the gate tell me to scoot up. I race a lot of over age classes so I make small talk with the guys on the gate with me, they seem to welcome the chatter. As soon as the gate drops I begin coaching myself what I need to do or should have done. Music never comes into my mind while racing, the voices in my head would drown it out.

Usually I try and get at least 8 hours of good sleep the night before and like others have said do some carb loading the day before and especially the morning of the race. I listen to some good metal music to amp myself....I always think about the music when I'm racing....but on several occasions I have drank waay too much beer and stayed up until dawn before a race and still managed to trophy! LOL Not that it happens all the time.....just got lucky I guess. The music is a staple for me though.....gotta jam before key time! Its also fun to go thru the pits and try and psych yer friends out by telling them thier bike is leaking gas....there is a monster hill with a log across it halfway up.....thier rear knobby is too worn to make it up...etc. Good fun!

I took this from david bailey before my race I sort of hyperventelate (sp?) it helps get the oxygen flowing and sorta of stores it. It helps allivate arm pump alittle bit, the purpose is to all ready have the oxygen in your blood before the body demands it. It does actually help alittle bit, I guess doing something similar like running in place or jumpin jacks would work also.

The day before the race I load all of my gear from a list, as an important ride always causes me to forget equipment. I like to load everything during the day so that if I find a problem I can still go to a shop and buy what I need, it also lets me sleep better if I know every thing is ready to go. That night I like to watch a riding video to pump me up for the race and I always eat spaghetti for dinner.

The next morning I eat a turkey sandwich and a banana and water. Skip the fast food in the morning, as I have seen people have a ride ruined by bad food. Coffee may also be a bad idea as it is a diuretic and it can also cause an acidic stomach. I race HS and enduro, so to keep hydrated I use a 100 once drink system that has a phone pouch on the front shoulder strap that I keep extra food in that I can eat at gas stops and early check points, and it also holds tools and spare parts.

I really like Gu energy gel, but if you use any sports fluids or foods always try them on a regular ride first. The last mountain bike race that I did I was puking pink foam on the side of the trail due to the Cytomax my friend gave me to try during the race. :uh:

I always eat alot of tex-mex the night before and that morning, wash it down with some mezcal and your good to go!!!!!!!!! :flame: Oh yeah add a hose from you airbox to your seat for added boost. :aj:

I always get some "bedroom" time with my girlfriend the night before a race, it helps me focus on my race the next day. Other than that, I take two Advil to help loosen me up on race day.