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To parade or not to parade?
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Posted by: firecracker22---------------------
Some advice, please. My favorite hare scramble always has a parade lap first. The course is about 7 miles long. I have raced it 3 times, and play ridden out there a few times too. Is it worth the risk of crashing and energy expense to go on the parade lap? I know the course, even though they switch a few trails here and there they use the same ones year after year, and it’s very well marked even if I don’t know it by heart. But you never know when they will spring something on you.
What do you all think?
Posted by: Offroadr---------------------
I have never raced a HS that had a parade lap :think
Typically you go into it blind and learn from the 1st lap
If its a parade lap why go hard and burn energy? Take it easy and learn.
Posted by: nikki---------------------
7 mile parade lap!?!?! 
We barely do 7 miles in an entire MX moto :confused:
How many laps around the course do you usually do FC22? I agree with Offroadr though - maybe just go any put around and use the lap as an observation lap. Learn the faster lines, check out any sharp turns, find the smooth paths, etc...
The only time I skip out on MX parade laps (when even offered) is when the track is a super muddy mess. Or else I always take advantage of the 1-1.5 mile "sight" lap. 
Posted by: KiwiBird---------------------
Definitely do the parade lap, as you gain experience you will start to recognise lines that will get ugly later in the race, use the parade lap to check for alternates. It is easier to see other, more inventive, lines when you are fresh and under little pressure.
Posted by: firecracker22---------------------
Nikki--we race for 3 hours, so however many laps you complete in that time. It's both mx and trails in this particular race. Dirtygirly and I team up (it's a team race) so you alternate laps. We've both done it iron man before though.
Posted by: Offroadr---------------------
I still think a parade lap is wrong but I guess its the promoters choice.
Thats why I love the challengo of enduros, 70 miles of trail you have never seen!
Posted by: Timr---------------------
Our series rarely offers the opportunity to take a parade lap. When I have done races with a parade lap, I usually don't do them. I've done a couple of National HS and GNCCs and there was no opportunity to do a parade lap there.
If I had time, I would walk some of all of the course the day before. One of my riding buddies rode his mtn. bike around one of our courses on the day before.
I agree with Kiwi that the information about line selection could be critical and usefull. However, parade laps usually (in the east) cause the start of the race to be delayed. They also cause guys to miss the start of the race. I've seen guys leave on the parade lap and never come back until after the race is over. They get stuck or brake their bike on the parade lap. Some guys use up too much energy on the parade lap.
The race is usually not won on the first lap anyway. But, you can sure loose it on the first lap, and that goes for the parade lap too. My strategy is to just survive the first lap and keep the leaders in sight. Then, let the race come to you.
Many Many times, you will run down guys in your class who started to quickly and can't maintain that pace for the entire race. Good luck!
Posted by: firecracker22---------------------
I am thinking I don't want to this time. The course is very easy--it's all in a flat field, with some small inclines and ditches to cross but no real hills. You can see the pits from almost every part of the course. There are no trees. Just rocks. Compared to western WA and east coast scrambles, it's more of a desert race. It's fun though because I don't have to worry about if I'm going to make it through the obstacles--I can worry about going fast! (fast is a relative term in my world
Posted by: fatherandson---------------------
I agree with Kiwi. If a parade lap is offerred, take it. My experience has been these laps are very slow, but you can learn valuable information..how tight is that hairpin corner after the fast straightaway? what options are available on potential bottlenecks?
A parade lap does delay the start of the race, but I always took advantage of them.
Mike
Posted by: XRpredator---------------------
On the scramble of which you speak, I say run the parade lap. Those big rocks through the "Pumpkin Patch" need to be eyeballed! The part I don't like about it is all the guys who think they need to race through it. I try to take my time and scope out the good lines.
On any other race, Offroader, I'd agree with you, but this place has some pretty notorious wheelbenders! I've worn myself out running a practice lap on some of the woods races I've done, and I've decided never again! But this place is different, not a tree in sight.
Besides, Firecracker, if I get tired on the practice lap, I just let my tag-team partner start! 
Posted by: Smitty---------------------
We have practice before all the cross countries in this area and I never miss it. I usually do no more than 2 laps on a long course on Saturaday if I come up, and never ever more than 1 the morning of the race.
My reason for riding practice is to get loosened up. Once I get my arms warmed up once I don't really have to worry about serious arm pump. I also have to get a good look at any "widel" lines my fellow racers are going to be using to get around slower riders or rough sections. Finally, I've had to teach myself how to ride, since I don't have the Shane Watts gene, so I use practice to get my brain in the right mode for conditions. i.e. sand, hardpack, tight, open, MX, rocks, mud, etc... all require different body positions and techniques that I need to focus on in practice.
Posted by: Timr---------------------
ugghh...Smitty's imput here is somewhat irrelevant. Anyone who has a single digit number and starts on the front row, should not be giving advise to us mere mortals. Smitty could ride a 10 mile parade lap without breaking a sweat! Just kidding. How'd you get so fast anyways?
Posted by: ochster---------------------
Firecracker, a little off topic, but a good opening. You and I have a common aquantance named Larry Kuebler. I recently found out he now will be working for you guy's full time. He is one of the most versed and knowledgable parts guy's left around, let alone his passion for this sport and ability to twist the grip. He has been my right hand man for my oem, and aftermarket needs for quite awhile. Needless to say, he will be missed! I owe him many Thanks, for everything he has gone out of his way to do for me. Oh yeah! to keep this on topic, I would never turn down an opportunity to get a last minute looksee of the race course.
Posted by: Camstyn---------------------
What/when race is this regarding?
Posted by: firecracker22---------------------
Cam, here is the race in question:
http://www.dirtrider.net/forums3/sh...?threadid=38627
And a link to the event itself:
http://www.extmotorsports.com/tag_t...re_scramble.htm
Hey Ochster, funny you should mention Larry. He's fun to work with and definitely a good guy. He just started here today.
Posted by: Smitty---------------------
Ha! Completely Mortal! Just ride hard, don't break, don't crash too hard, and practice. Then again the older (40+) guys I ride with say it's cause I'm 22, a few short of a load, and ride every single weekend. I really do think that, that is good advice once you reach a fitness level that just finishing isn't the hardest part. I just started back in 1998 so it wasn't very long ago that I couldn't stand up for at least 30 minutes after a race since I had just crashed 10 times. If you are still fighting the endurance skip the saturday stuff. I think it's most important to get your groove started for the day so that you don't have to figure it out surrounded by screeming bikes, while you blow turns, with armpump, mud on your goggles, and a tree branch sticking out of your chest protector after the first 1/2 mile and 3 crashes of varying severity. :scream: Been there done that!
Posted by: lawman---------------------
my local club allows, even encourages, a parade lap for hs races. if you don't make it back for the start, that's your tough tamales. i always take it if i have time, at least for the 1st couple of miles, looking for alternate lines & ways around bottlenecks. i cruise very slowly, checking things out. i think it's a disadvantage not to do it, if everyone has the chance.
Posted by: 94ruck---------------------
Each "discipline" such as enduro and hare scramble and motocross has to be handled in a different way. Enduros has a system of checks and balances(resets) that allow you to vary your pace, so parade laps aren't neccessary, simply slow a bit in the rough stuff. motocross has jumps which must be timed and practiced to make perfect hence practice before a race. hare Scramble is essentially a moto through the woods for 2 hours. Since you take off at the same time as the rest of your class, I in my opinion believe that a parade lap should be completed so that you know where the logs and rocks are laying. Usaully the first few miles your are riding in a pack and it is hard to see the obstacles. I used to skip the parade lap and found that I would get arm pump from being nervous and tight on the first lap. I have improved my conditioning and now the parade lap really helps!
Posted by: CR Swade---------------------
Yeah, but you're a wily, vet fast guy I agree on the parade lap-do it. Get some lines figured out, warm up the body/mind and be ready to sprint during the race.
Posted by: firecracker22---------------------
Quote:
Originally posted by 94ruck
I in my opinion believe that a parade lap should be completed so that you know where the logs and rocks are laying.
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That's easy--logs: none. Rocks: everywhere.
Quote:
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Usaully the first few miles your are riding in a pack . . .
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No, I'm riding BEHIND the pack.
The thing about this race is that it is slightly different than most other hare scrambles. It's tag team, except pro class. The only class choices are: lightweight (under 250cc) heavyweight (250cc and up) four stroke, vet, pro, and parent/child. No AA-A-B-C, Vet Am & Expert, Senior Am & Expert, or anything, and the only pro class is open displacement. No women's of course, but the only attendees are usually myself, Bbbom, Dirtygirly, and one other gal I dragged there once. They usually start me with the 80s but I think I won't bother trying to sign up as the only woman in the women's class and just race Lightweight.
Are there any other races like that? Once I moved over to the west side and raced a couple NMA races, I discovered that the Spokane race is very different.
Posted by: XRpredator---------------------
Must be unique to this neck of the woods, Firecracker. That's the way all the races around here are (Christmas Hills/St. Maries, Johnson's Mill/Orofino, ThreeBear/Southwick). Heck, the Spokane race has more classes than most! Some only have 250 & up, under 250, and Pro. Never heard of A, B, C, etc. til I started coming to DRN.
Posted by: WoodsRider---------------------
When it's available, I always ride the parade lap, but take it easy. If you hang back you'll see the real fast guys going slow and checking out different lines. It's also good to stop at technical sections, like creek crossings, and watch several different riders make their way through. Only squids race during the parade lap.
Posted by: Fox_Pilot_101---------------------
if i was you i wouldnt ride the parade lap. when i raced a scramble i found that the parade lap ends up being a race, cuz you see the people ahead of you going fast, and a 5 pack of people behind you waiting to get by, so of course, even though i hate it, you end up going fast and not even checking out the technical parts of the track, cause your worried about the people behind you. and you still get really tired even on the parade lap, i even had to go to the pits and get more gas! for you it could be different cause it sounds like its not really singletrack so it might be easier for others to pass if you want to go slow and check out lines. plus if u dont race the parade lap, it sounds like a long race? you can pace your first couple of laps, where the leaders will be going all out and wasting all of their energy, just a thought
Posted by: LocoCD---------------------
XRP
3-4 Classes? At some of the races in Northern California we end up with 15-20 classes. They all boil down to the 3 basic - A (sometimes AA as well), B and C. But that is a function of the number of riders. Many of the local Hare Scramble races have 500-600 riders (about the population of Northern Idaho). I can't imagine the mess you would have getting 250 riders onto a single track at the same time!
Parade lap... I thought that was what us C-Seniors did riding through the pits to the starting line!
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