Moto Mom Files: How to Prepare For a Muddy MX Race

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Wouldn’t it be amazing to have perfect conditions at every MX race?! However, you probably won’t get that lucky. There will most certainly be a time when a mud race is going to be your reality. Being prepared makes things go a LOT smoother!

Rain, sleet, hail and even snow can bring out all different kinds of opinions on race day. Some people want to cancel and wouldn’t dream of sending little Billy out on the track. On the other hand, some are brimming with excitement.

Let’s go over some ways to make your day racing in the mud a little easier. Also, we’ll give you a few tips for riding in it as well. Keep in mind this doesn’t just apply to motocross. These tips can be helpful for hare scrambles, enduros and trail riders as well.

MX Mud Race – Photo by Rihaij

Staying Dry in the MX Pits

One thing that will take the fun out of race day is being wet. Whether you’re the racer, mom or dad, mechanic, pit crew or just fans, staying dry should be a top priority on a muddy mx race day.

Luckily, you can do several things to ensure that you and your crew stay dry (at least mostly!) First, we’ll go over some things to keep you dry in the pits.

• Canopy – Regardless of the weather, a canopy always comes in handy. It will not only keep you (and your bikes) dry in the rain, but it will also shade you from the sun. One thing to note is that the wind will take your canopy sky high if you don’t stake it down. The stakes that come with canopies don’t usually cut it. Either purchase sand weights to hold your canopy down or use your tie downs and strap it to your cooler.

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• Umbrellas – Umbrellas are another item that can save you from the rain or the sun. Remember to take an umbrella to the starting line or staging for your racer. Standing there in the pouring rain or beating down sun can drain your energy and enthusiasm.

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• Rain jackets – Obviously rain jackets should be on the list of things to take to a muddy mx race. Frogg Toggs are a great choice for full body coverage and come various sizes and colors. Likewise, several motocross brands sell a rain coat made specifically for racing. Even if you take it off at the gate, it’s nice to start the race dry!

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• Boots (other than your riding boots) – Keeping your feet dry should be a top priority at a muddy mx race. If you don’t want to wear riding boots all day or if you’re part of a racers pit crew, then you need a good pair of boots. Which type of boots to select will depend a lot on the time of year. Muck boots offer a large variety of options to make your choice easier.

MX Mud Race – Photo by ny_sonseca

Staying Dry – Other Things to Consider

We’re staying dry in the pits. Now let’s talk about some other things you can have at the track to cover a few other bases.

• Goggle Tear offs or Roll offs – Regardless of the brand of goggles you use, you must be prepared with tear offs at a mud race. Luckily most vendors at the track carry tear offs but expect to pay a premium price. Once you clean your goggles and put on tear offs, put your goggles in a goggle bag and immediately into a freezer bag.

• Freezer Bags – Freezer bags can be used for so many things at the track. For example, if it’s raining put goggles in a freezer bag to keep them dry while getting to the starting gate. Freezer bags can be used to store your transponder and charger or for putting oil on your air filters. Also, I pack cold food in freezer bags if it can’t get wet in the cooler (i.e. cheese).

MX Mud Race – Photo by Jahir Marteniz

• Backpack – Backpacks are a good way to keep your items dry at staging, the starting gate or even registration. If necessary, put your goggles, shop towels, etc. in a freezer bag first then load your backpack up with whatever needs to be carried. In addition, many backpacks have some sort of straps that easily fit an umbrella.

• Boot Dryer – If you have access to electricity, a boot dryer can be a great addition to your racing gear. Racing through water ruts or pressure washing your boots can leave them wet on the inside. Therefore, you can keep your boots dry with this awesome addition.

• Heater – Depending on the weather, a heater can honestly be a game changer. It is not fun when your wet AND cold. More than likely, you’ll want to get a propane heater. However, there are several different options. I’m going to give you a short list of the ones I’ve seen the most at the track.

Mr. Heater Portable Propane Heater – Uses small propane canisters (we call it the Buddy heater)

Mr. Heater Tank-Top Propane Heater – Uses 20lb propane tank

Forced Air Propane Heater – Uses 20lb propane tank

• Other Items to Consider – Shop towels, paper towels and wipes will prove to be extremely beneficial during a muddy mx race weekend. You can put a shop towel over your racers hand grips in staging to keep them dry. In addition, bath towels or beach towels are good to have on hand. ** Don’t forget an extra set of clothes!

Mud Removal & Cleanup

Even if we are successful in staying dry, we still have to deal with cleaning up mud. Usually a LOT of mud. Since motocross has multiple races throughout the day, it’s important to be able to clean yourself and your equipment in between motos (not just at the end of the day). Therefore, it is essential you have items to help you lose the mud.

• Mud Scraper – Although I have no affiliation with the manufacturer, I can vouch that the Risk Racing Mud Axe is a must have mud removal tool. In between motos, you can easily scrape the mud off your bike or anything else for that matter.

• Pressure Washer – Many people bring a pressure washer to the mx track to clean their equipment between motos. For instance, you can clean your bike, boots, helmet or any other muddy gear. You typically see either electric or gas powered pressure washers. Electric pressure washers take up much less room but you need a generator to power them. Gas pressure washers take up more space but can operate stand alone.

• Garbage Bags – On muddy race weekends, garbage bags are a great way to store all of the wet gear and equipment. Make sure you unbag all your items as soon as you get home or they will start getting a moldy smell.

MX Mud Race

Tips for Racing in the Mud

Racing in the mud takes a little adjustment. But having the right equipment and knowing proper body position goes a long way. Moreover, bike and gear prep is probably the most important consideration.

• As far as body position goes, move your hips back a few inches and drop your heels. Make sure you’re standing up and shift up a gear. Momentum is very important as well. Stiffen your bike’s suspension if necessary (mud weighs a lot).

• Once again, tear offs on your goggles are critical. The three most popular options are the standard tear off, the laminated tear off and the roll off. Standard tear offs are a single tear off. You can add as many as you want until it hinders your vision. Laminated tear offs allow you to add stacks of 7 at a time without distorting your vision. The only issue is that if you get a little over zealous you might rip off the entire stack at once. Roll offs require a special type of goggle system. In this scenario, the tear off is in a roll that moves across the lens of your goggle when you pull a string. Roll offs seem to be very popular in hare scramble and enduro racing.

• Hand guards mounted on your bike will keep mud and water off your hands and controls. Keep in mind that “bark busters” are not allowed in motocross (the kind with the metal bar that attaches to the end of your handlebars).

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I hope you’re now one step ahead on how to prepare for a mud race! See you at the track! Thanks for visiting Badash Life! Sign up for email updates on your screen ❤