Feb 12, 2021

SANDBAGGING FOR DUMMIES

THE WORST SANDBAGGING I EVER SAW WAS RACING MOTOS IN THE CALIFORNIA HIGH DESERT. A certifiable pro lined up next to me in Novice. Never saw him again...

... which is a lot like MTB vs Road.

MTB has a tradition that is much more wild west. Sign up for what you feel you can, should, want to handle.

Whereas, the stuffier side of the sport, the road racers, force everybody through a set of hoops many fail to even finish. And track... you can't even get on the track without completing a few classes.

And that's where the sandbagging comes in...

... while there are always few wolves in the henhouse looking for an easy win, I have to say MTB has the most offenders.

Why?

Welp, because in MTB you can waltz in and sign up for any category, there is less of an ego stroke in saying I'm an X level racer.

Conversely on the road, and more so on the track, you have to earn you way up to the higher levels. Hence, saying I'm a X Category racer means something.

All that to say the MTB side has the most winers when it comes to being kicked out of a lower level for winning too much.

I know there's some sort of life lesson in there, but I can't put my finger on it.

It's probably something like we cherish most what we pay the most for - whether it be blood, treasure or time.

Or is it... we care least for the things that are given to us.

Nah... its sandbagging is for dummies.

Because, the best of any of these disciplines are always at the top. And few, if any, are in for the easy win... they best always want to be the best, of the best.

The best are planners.

They look at the entire year and pick their one or two races. Oh, they'll race a lot. To practice, to get to know the competition, etc. But, look at their calendar and guaranteed there is only a few races circled in red.

https://pedalindustries.com/collections/raceday-calendars%E2%84%A2