This close to race season, bike sites are inundated with winter videos, training clips, team announcements and gear previews, all with athletes in full preparation mode for what they hope will be a spot at the top of many a podium. Many of these athletes have migrated to warmer climates while a few have opted to suffer the cold, widening their training horizons to include skis and fat bikes. Rain or shine, no one is standing still and most racers have learned to incorporate race day methodology into their daily training for a seamless glide into a winning position.
From competitive road cyclists to long-time downhill World Cup legends, we spoke to a few riders across the racing spectrum who opened themselves up to chat about their pre-race rituals. While the answers were widely varied but fairly unsurprising, we were struck again by the levels of passion, generosity, humour and commitment that runs throughout.
Do you have any special pre-race rituals you stick with or that you always do? | I always put my right glove before the left (it's bad luck if not) and at the start line, always shaking my goggle just before the 30seconds, that's it I think. - Emmeline Ragot, Professional DH racer, 2009 and 2011 DHI World Champ |
| Hmmm, I've tried a bunch of different things, some have worked and some not so much. However the one constant is Amy (Jason's wife) makes me some super delicious homemade spaghetti the night before, and not that I want to sound all mooshie here, but the time and love she puts into it is quite special to me - Jason Hawkins, Pro Enduro racer and bike shop owner |
| I don't particularly have a ritual, just warm up, visualize what I want out of my runs, and try to be grateful for the opportunity to be wherever I am and able to do what I am about to do. - Jill Kintner, Olympic BMX medalist and 2014 US Downhill National Champion |
| That's a good question! I keep a biking journal so I am always writing checklists and making track maps in that. IDK if that really counts as a ritual but I always do it. I pretty much have two real rituals specifically for race day: I always eat eggs the morning of... (beefcake) and I always have to wear a fresh pair of Christmas socks for the race. Ha ha ha my dad always tells me it's better to be lucky, than good. Besides that I just do whatever will keep me relaxed. Relaxation is pretty much the number one priority along with having fun. They go hand and hand. - Galen Carter, US Elite Downhill Junior |
![Fionn Griffiths in Windham]()
| Only if I'm in a good mental place and feeling confident on a track I'm clockwork on the countdown. I'll roll in to the start then stand behind my bike in the start gate until 40 seconds before the start, at that point I'll get comfortable on my bike and stretch my forearms one last time. When the clock hits 30 seconds to go, the goggles go on. 15 seconds to go, I'll take a couple of deep breaths and make eye contact with the Tissot Timing starter and we give each other a little nod. I've always felt like It's a "go get em" from him and a "thank you for your work" from me. It's funny, I don't think I ever remember in 16 years starting a World Cup or world championships without him there. We forget we can't do what we do without these guys. To the riders he is simply known as "Mr. Tissot." - Fionn Griffiths, Professional DH racer |
![Photo Copywright of Laurence-CE]()
| The only ritual I have is the fuel routine...30 MTG Slam a rockstar, 14 MTG sport legs, 5 MTG a gel. One of the years I won a crit series, every Wednesday night before the race I would eat four McDonald's chicken nuggets. Just four. - Ben Towery, Road and Triathlon racer |
| Ha ha ha, well, I put my left sock on first and do ten minutes meditation right before I drop in. - Casey Brown, Professional DH racer, 2014 Queen Of Crankworx |
| I definitely stick to two things when I'm racing: Mexican food the night before and I slam a beer before the race starts. - Brice Shirbach, Pinkbike writer and racer |
| On race days I would do two practice runs and only two; one qualifier run then race run. I'm a four lap guy. Put me on an MTB, MX, go kart or any track for that matter and my fourth lap is going to be fast. - Sean 'Griz' McClendon, Bike Superhero |
| I'd say the only weird thing I do is put a jacket / hoodie or something over my hands whilst I'm on the wind trainer to try and warm my hands up... I get really cold hands all the time and if they are cold I can't feel the bars properly or brakes. Other than that just have fun! - Bernard Kerr, Professional DH racer |
| Food! It's all about food. I have to have a banana, oatmeal and eggs. It sticks to the gut. I don't like to warm up for very long, but I do power sprints to get the blood flowing and to max out a few times so my body doesn't go into shock when they say "GO". My husband, Kirt Voreis has a funny routine. He has to put on his gloves and shoes on the right side first every time. And when he's in the start gate, he rubs his thigh somewhat subconsciously. - Lindsey Voreis, Ladies AllRide founder, Professional DH racer |
| I don't really have any rituals as such. I'm not superstitious at all. I try to remember that when I'm doing runs at home I just relax and rip down the track. I definitely make sure I'm at the top early so that I have plenty of time to chill and get my warm up done. The main pre-race run routine I have is that I always pray for everyone in the race. - Mick Hannah, Professional DH racer |
![He may be the happiest man alive. The Tippler.]()
| When I used to race World Cup snowboarding, I used to do the basics like train hard, eat well, ride lots, and stretch my muscles, but I also had some unorthodox mental rituals I would do every year in the fall before the race season. I used to balance standing on a narrow metal railing on the exposed edge of the Peterson Creek bridge in Kamloops very high above the ground. I would balance there on my feet and would relax my pounding heart rate while mentally ripping the first race courses of the year in my head. When I actually got into the starting gate of the first few World Cups of the year I would apply the same heart rate calming technique...which totally worked and then I'd give er! (I would sometimes juggle snowballs or rocks while waiting for my run for something to do and get into the zone etc.) Needless to say, I also used to tell jokes with the gang to keep it fun and stay relaxed of course. - Brett Tippie, Mountain Bike legend and... Does he REALLY need an intro?! |
MENTIONS: @Emmeline @norcobicycles @bretttippie @POLYGON @pivotcycles @briceshirbach @fionn @bernardkerr @ambatt
Member since Sep 8, 2011
I thought the objective was to not shit your pants before the race?
It must work, nobody has died yet in a World Cup DH race.
Who died and when?
I must have missed it. Maybe Sick Mick missed that race or forgot to pray. Or maybe God was taking a nap. He must get tired watching everybody all the time.
Mick "The Prick" Hannah, in one sentence, not superstitious at all, then a few later he openly & arrogantly admits to being a stupid, brainwashed, religitard. Typical theistic hypocrite fvck bucket just like his dopey wife. Guess prayer wasn't enough to overthrow the natural evidence based factual Darwinian order of things for her in the freeride scene huh? Good thing all you know how to do is ride an overpriced bicycle fast down a hill like any monkey can learn to do so we all don't have to listen to your rhetoric over in the freeride world where the sport is really going. :/
Go ahead & pray Mick, like the condescending holier-than-thou elitist a*shole you are beLIEving everyone needs your special connection to your imaginary friend. Us atheists will continue (most often secretly) to afford you that luxury by THINKING for you. :/ Enjoy your mostly free, fair, democratic, secular, scientific society that provides you the choice to suck Jesus Christ's cock instead of Allah's even though it doesn't enable you to force others to do the same. You're welcome.
Thanks to WAKI for being so nice & satirical. It's sad that militance has to be so tempting sometimes, but hey, we're all "sinners" aren't we?
Wow, you are quite angry about this god business arent you? Why?
Seriously? This guy has the worst pre race rituals ever. Either that or he knew this would be posted on an Mtb website and he was trying really hard to sound cool.
I used to race in a rowing team. There was never any dirt/leaves/empty energy bar wrappers within arms reach of my seat before a race. Rest of the boat had all sorts of crap in it, but in my head, thats not my problem. When I played rugby it was the same, checking all my studs were tight. When I played football, my shinpads had to be dead straight. I know it doesn't really make any difference, I think it just takes my mind off stuff while I'm waiting to start. Stops me from having time to get nervous.
Enjoy your moron juice
If someone told you that they won by jumping around with their shorts around their ankles pre-race after popping a couple of Extenze, would you cry "But the CHILDREN...!" before trying it?! C'mon, people. Buck up. Life's not that hard.
Had he said "I down a pint of vodka in the queue, smoke a *ag on the start line, flip the bird to Mr Tissot during the beeps and make sure I have my eyes closed until the first corner" it would have been obvious. What he said sounded like a scientifically planned fuelling routine based on some sort of real knowledge. Just thought it was worth pointing out that a McDonalds the night before and a can of rockstar 30 mins before you start is quite possibly going to leave you a fuel free, sugar crashing, jittery mess on the start line. Not to mention putting money in the pockets of a few total bastards at the same time.
But yeah it was just a passing comment really. Not like I'm saying he should be banned from interviews for forever more. Just that he should remember a lot of people will be reading what he says and might not know the context it was said in unless he makes it very clear. Sorry if I caused offence.
Naah I'm not made for races and competition.
But before trying a new jump or trick I just wait for the moment my brain and heart are shut. Only my bike and my guts.
Take Nathan Rennie as a prime example. Few guys can destroy berms and handle a blike he could. At the time he got fired off the Syndicate, he was still able to do extremely well....but he more resembled a human fridge, than a professional athlete.
Such is th case with Fionn. Granted, in retrospect I was a bit of a douche...but the fact remains. She has the talent, but it's going to waste
My point still stands: you have ZERO business commenting on anyone's physical appearance and assuming that it affects their athleticism, especially if you're going to make such stupid claims about someone being 'washed up'. You have no ground to verbally attack a member of this community because you feel negatively about yourself. End of story, pal.
I'm really trying to hold my tongue for appropriateness and professionalism these days, but when it comes to this, I will rain hell. Straight up. I'd remind everyone that Strait took the crown for a second time, Rennie is still doing just fine and Fionn can definitely hold her own on any course at any time. Appearances are just that: appearances. Male, female or otherwise, speculation is simply in poor taste for anyone, especially towards the athletes who continue to contribute to a growing sport. #abilityoveraesthetics
Hey does anyone know what helmet that is that Tippie is rocking in the last photo?
If you were half as awesome and half as fast as Fi, you wouldn't find reasons to erroneously point out negative things about others' bodies. So instead of hammering away at people who have accomplished far more than most, why don't you direct such speculation inward? You might feel that this site is an open place to anonymously air your ass-hattedness, but it is not; we are a community, and Fi is a valued member of that community who has contributed greatly to it. It is NOT your place to comment on anyone's appearance, let alone someone so beautiful inside and out. Keep your ignorance and hatred to yourself, you wanker.