spent the day yesterday at chicky riding practially nothing but the 4X track and loved it to bits, and IMO was pretty good for a first time riding 4X.

i want to start racing abit next year but have no knowledge of who organises events at places like chicky/brigenorth etc.

just a point in the right direction is all i'm after.

cheers
james

cheers, but is NPS4x.com just the nationals? as i was looking for regionals (or does NPS4X organise regionals too?)

Hence my "or on here" comment.

The NPS crew organise all the nationals races, and when the time comes winter races will be put up on here...There aren't THAT many series to choose from for 4x yet, it's not as wide spread as DH.

Rootes

do you have to have a BC licence and a certain number of points to do the NPS rounds as in DH?

awsome, i'll look into that then.

i should be swapping my P2 for a more 4X suitable bike (santa cruz Chameleon) soon and hopefully i can get to a few races.

the track at chicky is just too much fun to put into words and it was obvious that it was in bad condition (with ruts) aswell so when it's all buffed for a race it should be awsome.

a quick question:
how many 4X racers use clipless pedals as i have the choice to have clipless or flats with my new bike and not sure which way to go. i know the benefits of clips buit having never tried them i'm not sure. (i know its personally preferance but it'll be hard for me to try any out)

Get the clips and try them out.

It's the same as BMX, most fast riders will use clips for the power out of the gate.  At a lower level it doesn't matter so much, but try it and if you get on well with them you're set, if not.  Go back to what you're used it.

I much prefer chicky and 4x in general clipped in personally.

Rootes

I've run Mallets since they were first released.  Love them, won't run any other clips.  I found them easier to use than shimano's which I had before.

As for going from flats to clips, I run both as and when I feel like it, and have no bother switching.  It'll take you a while to get used to it, but then it'll be no bother.

Ran clips on the 4x at Chick on weds, then went and rode the NS and drops on flats, then back to the 4x on flats.  No bother.  It felt spot on.  All on the same bike

Rootes

There was a local chicksands race in november last year, I've heard rumours of a similar race being run autumn of this year.. Good place to start.

But, like has already been said, the nps4x events are very newbie friendly (with novice cat, lots of open practice and gate practice etc) so don't be put off them.

Have fun and don't worry about having all the kit, bike, clips/flats etc.  Have a blast with the bike your used to at the first race and decide what you want/need from there.  Might save you some money in the long run