10 Reasons to Race an ATV or Dirt Bike Harescramble

I have 10 reasons why you should race an ATV or dirt bike harescramble in your area. My husband and son race, and I take the photos. I will use our local series as the example, the Missouri and Arkansas MXC and AXC series, so a few of these reasons may not apply to yours.

Prefer to watch? Watch the video on YouTube.

1. Why is primitive camping a reason to race?

At the Missouri races I go to, the $10 entry fee includes free camping on Friday and Saturday night. What is better than camping on a beautiful piece of property? You bring in everything you need, though there are always portable toilets and usually food trucks, so you get some convenience in the middle of nowhere.

2. Do you get to explore new places?

Yes. Each race is on a new piece of land, often 200 to 400 acres. You can walk it before, during and after the race. If you race, you get new hills, new creeks and new challenges.

3. Is harescramble racing a workout?

It is. Spectators climb hills and cross rough ground all day. Racers get an even better workout, because all the steering and bumps burn a lot of calories.

4. What is the community like?

You will find like-minded people who love being outside, do not mind getting dirty and like to hike. If you keep going back, the group starts to feel like family. Showing up every month is like going to a family reunion, where you catch up on everyone's lives. In my view that social connection is a human need, and it is great for mental health.

5. Is it easy to start conversations?

Yes, because everyone shares a common topic. What is the trail like? How is your rig set up? What broke last time, and what did you repair or upgrade? Who fell off their bike? If you need practice talking to strangers, this is a perfect place, and it is completely normal to walk up and start talking about the race.

The last five reasons are mostly for the racers.

6. Will racing give you an adrenaline rush?

Yes. You get hits of dopamine on the way to the race, right before it, during it and after it. It is a natural, healthy way to get that kind of rush, so if you are an adrenaline junkie, this is the hidden secret.

7. Will racing push you to your limits?

You will meet challenges that push you, and you will have to do things you might not normally want to do. Overcoming a challenge like that feels really good.

8. Does racing build self-confidence?

It does. You will feel fear and discomfort when you see an obstacle you would rather not face, then you face it and overcome it. That builds self-confidence. I think this matters most for children. When a child learns they can feel fear and discomfort and still move toward their goal, that skill transfers to every area of life. If you are a parent thinking about putting your child in a harescramble, I highly recommend it. For me this is the number one reason.

9. Is it a healthy, sober crowd?

This one might surprise you. The events happen during the day and people are operating heavy machinery, so in my experience there is not much drinking and I have not noticed any pot smoking. I am not saying nobody parties, but it is discreet. I have been to a lot of different series, and it seems like a very healthy, sober crowd. It is also very family-friendly. I would consider it a safe, sober place to hang out for people in recovery, who also benefit from community, exercise, sunlight and overcoming challenges. That is my opinion and my experience, and every series is different.

10. Will you get great stories and photos?

Yes. Most series have a dedicated photographer, and at almost every race I have been to, two or three other people are also taking photos and giving them away for free. I am one of them. I photograph my husband and son, so why not photograph everyone? It has become a side hustle for me. Those photos gave me the idea for my custom app, where you pick a design, upload your photo and order a shirt.

Where can I get started?

• Browse our race recaps to see what a race weekend looks like, with video, stats and photos.
• Find your own photos in our race recaps and photo albums.
• Put your race photo on a shirt with the shirt designer, or shop riding shirts.
• If you are in the Missouri and Arkansas area, check out the MXC and AXC racing series. We absolutely love them.

New to harescrambles and wondering how they work or what you need? Check our YouTube channel for the beginner videos. If I forgot a reason, leave a comment on the video and I will cover it in a bonus video.

Frequently asked questions

Why should I try harescramble racing?

It combines camping, exercise, community and adrenaline in one weekend. You race on new land, meet like-minded people, and face challenges that build confidence, and most series have photographers who share race photos for free.

How much does it cost to go to an MXC or AXC race?

In the Missouri and Arkansas MXC and AXC series, the $10 entry fee includes primitive camping on Friday and Saturday night. You bring everything you need, and there are usually portable toilets and food trucks. Rules vary by series, so check the one you plan to attend.

Is harescramble racing good for kids?

In my experience it is very family-friendly. Facing an obstacle while feeling nervous, then moving toward your goal anyway, teaches children a skill they can use in every part of life.

Is a harescramble a sober environment?

In my experience across many series, it is a healthy, mostly sober crowd. The events happen during the day and people are operating heavy machinery, so there is very little drinking, and any partying is discreet. Every series is different.

Where can I find race photos?

Most series have a dedicated photographer, and several other people usually shoot and share photos for free. Find Get Lost Riding photo albums and recaps on our races page.

Can I put my race photo on a shirt?

Yes. Use the Get Lost Riding designer to pick a design, upload your photo and order a custom shirt.