Some Pointers

To be a successful mountain bike racer, one needs to develop certain skills.  Endurance, power, coordination and if you watch the video below, humility.

 It also pays to have some mechanical aptitude.  For example, it's always a good idea to know how to install handle bars:

BTW, that's the new Park headset cap.  It makes on the fly headset adjustment and lung perforation a snap.