Cranky Monkey Beginner Friendly?

[purdueek]

Given the fact that my first time out on single track was just last weekend (with RLAG, it was great!), I feel like setting a couple of short-term goals for improvement. I was wondering if anyone around here has ridden in the Crankey Monkey, or if they know if it's beginner friendly or not? I know that they have a beginner division, but if I'm able to get out the next few weeks and ride some more trails, would I be ok? I don't care about points or placing, I just thought it would be a lot of fun!

Also, is anyone else considering the Cranky Monkey?
http://www.ex2adventures.com/cranky-monkey.php

Thanks!
Eek

[ardenbees]

Emphatically, Yes! The beginner level CM really is good for beginners. The first race is at beginner-friendly Wakefield. Later in the series, like the Fountainhead race, is challenging for beginners. But by then you should have a little bit of skill under your belt. So while FH is challenging, it is still doable.

The beginner women's category, from what I remember, was only about ten or fifteen women for the first race. So it's not crowded and scary. If you're thinking of doing the CM races, I would suggest doing the first one, not waiting until you think you have more skill to jump into the second or third of the series. I say this because I think Wakefield, which is the course for the first race, is the beginner-friendliest. Disclaimer: I don't know YOU, so I don't know YOUR riding abilities. But you said you've ridden trails a couple times. And the CM races aren't until June, so I'm assuming you're going to get a few rides in before then. Therefore, I conclude that you SHOULD do these super fantastic races.

Just to give you some idea of what I'm basing my opinion on... My first CM was the first CM race of last season. It was my second ride ever with clipless pedals. I had ridden trails maybe three times total. I sucked. My friend and I tied for last place. But we did it, and it was a blast, and the sweeper was patient and encouraging as we turtled along the course.

[purdueek]

Thanks so much, ardenbees, for the great post. I think you've really convinced me to just go do it. I do plan on making a few more rides before the first race. Unfortunately, I just realized that I might be out of town for that first one (which bums me out since it sounds like it was a lot of fun), but I will try to get over to wakefield and maybe do the ride myself a few times to get used to it all before the second race.

It's great to hear that despite the difficulties at your first race, you still had a wonderful time - that's what it is all about! And here I was delaying going clipless just on training rides...but no longer!

Thanks again for the info, I really appreciate your comments!

[ardenbees]

I just had another thought, too. The Wednesdays at Wakefield rides (hereinafter referred to as WAW) are right around that same time period as the CMs. Maybe those are something you could look into, to get some experience. I have not done the WAW races, so I can't report anything from experience. I'm just throwing them out there as an idea, especially if you're going to miss the first CM and want some experience.

http://www.potomacvelo.com/calendar.htm

But definitely do the CMs. The EX2 races are well organized, friendly, fun affairs.

[triscuit]

The Cranky Monkeys were my first races. I had been riding a little longer than you when I did the first one, but it is definitely doable. Wakefield is a great place to start. Fountainhead seemed really hard that year, but I have never raced well at Fountainhead (I bonked for the first time at the CM Fountainhead race in my first year, then broke a chain in my second race and had four flats in the third race there. I think I am cursed because I love FH and ride there a fair bit without any of these problems, other than races).

The races are really well organized and a lot of fun. They seem to be getting bigger every year. If you can't make the first Wakefield race, make sure you do the dirt crit, also at Wakefield. That is pretty exciting. I am not sure I would recommend doing Fountainhead as your first race. You could probably do it, but Fountainhead is a harder trail and you should definitely ride it before trying to race it. I have never ridden at Quantico, so I don't know what that will be like.

The one thing I will mention now that can be pretty intimidating in races is when other riders start passing you from other classes...the beginner men's class is full of sandbaggers (people who race in a class below what they should be racing so they can win rather than fairly compete), and you will get lapped and they are not always very friendly about it. Just keep in mind that you do not have to stop and pull over or anything for a rider passing you, no matter what they say. If a rider is behind you and wants to pass, they should let you know by saying "rider back" or something like that. Then when the trail allows for it, you steer to the left or right edge of the trail (usually the right edge) and tell the rider to pass you on the left or right, whichever side you have left room. The rider behind you has the responsibility to figure out how to get around you when it is safe. There will be riders who do not follow this rule, but hopefully most of them will. The only exception is if they are in a tight race, and the person passing is the leader, it is nice to let them go by you without delay, unless you are also in contention to win and stopping might take you out of the competition.

[mtbmore]

WaW has a real beginner class and you get to race the course as many as 4 consecutive Wednesday nights weather permitting. The CM course is usually a little longer but certainly not hard. This year's Quantico CM race will be a blast. It has pieces of FH like terrain, pieces of Wakefiled/Accotink terrain and a few other lovely pieces as well.

Scud the Old Guy not racing this year

[drewdane]

Does anyone know what the Wakefield course looks like this year and/or when EX2 is going to post it? I assume it looks pretty different from before, given all the trailwork that's gone on since last summer...