Thanks
No, I don't have the Eagle.. I thought about buying it, but the 11 speed XTR rear derailleur is much lighter than the XX1 or the Eagle rear derailleur and the performance of shifting is more precise as I experienced.
The 10 - 42 teeth X01 cassette works for me as well. In downhills I am often too scared to go faster on loose or slippy gravel, so it doesn't really matter anyway. In climbs it is also easier to make up time, so I focus more on good climbing performance.
Maybe for a future full suspension bike, I will go for the Eagle
Still not found the perfect frame/brand.
Depends on where you live, I would say.. For Germany and the neighbour countries there is this great website:
http://www.jedermanntermine.de/For the first races it might be good to start in the back rows, because in the front there is always so much rush due to adrenaline and testosterone
And of course there are races without clocking, so you kind of have the feeling of a race, but the riders a bit more calm.
Prepare the bike, spares and your gear the evening before the race. Have a good breakfast.. don't try new energy gels or bars during the race... Drink enough, but not too much, depending on the temperature. There is nothing more stupid than having to stop, because you have drunk too much and have to pee
Know your comfort zone, in that you can ride long and don't overpace in the beginning.
Everything depens a little bit on the distance you want to ride..