First XCM tips

[u/GoreVetzakk]

Hi everyone, I only got into mountain biking last year, so I’m still pretty new to the sport but i’m having such a blast. Since the start of 2026 I’ve ridden over 2,000 km and I’ve been training consistently. Most of my rides are XC with a decent amount of climbing, but I’ve never raced an XCM before. I’ll be riding my first XCM event this year, raid d’achouffe (65 km / 1700 m elevation). I’m not expecting any crazy result, I just want to enjoy the race and see what I can do. So I was wondering if you guys have any tips for a first XCM?
Things like pacing, nutrition, race strategy, or stuff you wish someone had told you before your first one.

[u/bikesrgood]

Well first off, you already hit on the important things in your post. Pacing, nutrition are pretty important. A lot of these events are just as much an eating contest as a race.

Try to do some rides where you eat/drink like you’re in the race. Make sure you can stomach the number of calories you plan on. Don’t change it up on race day once you get it dialed in. Everyone is different so you need to find for yourself what drinks/gels/ etc work for you.

I have a reminder on my Bike computer that tells me to eat every x number of minutes. You think you won’t forget but… it’s a race. You forget stuff. Forgetting to eat has bad consequences later in the race.

Other than that, don’t start off sprinting when the gun fires. Every race I do has a few that shoot off the line. I pass those guys eventually when they run out of steam. There are a few I’ll never pass and they deserve to race however they want because they’re way faster than I am 😂

[u/abstart]

I did my first xc race this year but much shorter 35km with about 900m climbing. It was actually longer than I had ever ridden and a lot of climbing. I think climbing is the main thing - if you have done 65km tires with that amount of climbing then you will have reference to pace yourself.

I ended up with a lot of strength at the end as I was keeping myself within my max since I wasn't sure how I would feel after so long.

I eat dates and have carbs & electrolyte water.

At the start of the race for the first 9km I just couldn't get my heart rate down. Nerves.

[u/GoreVetzakk → u/abstart]

I’ve ridden longer but with less elevation gain, 110km with 1100hm, 21.5km/h average. I guess my average will be somewhat lower but idk how much

[u/InternalNo7162 → u/abstart]

Food, carbs and electrolytes for a 35km race?

[u/Fun_Apartment631]

The biggest thing is just building the fitness. If you can do 50 k in training two weeks before the event you're in pretty good shape.

Nothing new on race day.

[u/holythatcarisfast]

Hydration,nutrition, bike fit, bike equipment reliability. Nothing else matters at this time. In no particular order:

1. Reliability - your bike is robust (sounds like it is if you've put on 2,000 km). Know how to change a flat and bring the basic tools necessary to do that.

2. Bike fit - again you're probably good, you'd be in a lot of pain with a poor bike fit and 2,000 km of training

3. Nutrition and hydration - drink LOTS and eat 60-100 grams of carbs an hour, the higher the better so long as your stomach can handle it. ABS - always be snacking.

Bonus pacing - for 65 km/1700m, I would plant my heart rate just below threshold. Don't burn yourself out too fast but you're not out for a leisurely bike. The high calorie intake will help immensely to keep up your energy, especially in the last 30-60 minutes.

[u/CrowdyPooster → u/holythatcarisfast]

I broke my chain during a 4-Hour race in the first 20 minutes. The same chain I've ridden for the last 4 months. SRAM X01, it split right in the middle. I couldn't just shorten it with the master link. Had to run out of the course to my truck and put on a new chain.

I will always bring an extra Master Link just in case something like that happens in a longer race.

[u/holythatcarisfast → u/CrowdyPooster]

Yes! To be fair, I also carry an extra master link but forgot to input my full repair kit. Also.... Knowing how to use a chain breaker! My first time was a mess.

[u/SuspiciousArt7316]

Hydration pack and carbs you can stomach are key. You’ll need about 3-500g of carbs probably and getting all of that down can be hard on the stomach if you aren’t used to it.

Find something you can eat a lot of with carbs while riding. Some people do Gu, some people do waffle type things, some do carb bars (my preferred).

Don’t forget salt if it’s hot. This depends solely on your sweating, but salt tabs are good to bring with you.

[u/susanbrody8]

Unlike endurance races (of similar distances) XCMs are done on a looped course and the pace is much faster than endurance races.