I would encourage anyone who has an interest in Mountain biking to give off road racing a go - it's great fun, is a very social sport, has a competitive yet friendly atmosphere and improves your fitness and skill faster than anything else! They're all organised extremely well.

There are categories for all levels from complete beginner to finely tuned, lycra clad athletes and are based on age or ability categories, for both male and female. There are several race series' across the country - several of the biggest and best in the south and further afield that we ride in are :

Gorrick races and events
SouthernXC races
Fully Sussed MTB academy
British XC

If you're new to the racing game, give the ‘beginner’ or 'fun' categories a look. You don't need to be super fit - just be keen to give it a go and have a Mountain Bike in good working order.

If you want to take it more seriously, try a personal trainer . . . Vicky and I use Steve at Ultimate Fitness in Farnborough.