First I will address your fashion question: Assuming you are competing in the Cat 3 (beginner) class, I can garuntee that you will not be the only one wearing baggies and a dry fit t-shirt. If not for joining a race team this year, I would probably still be wearing baggies, but with a jersey, instead of my race kit; and I'm a Cat 2 racer. That being said, I would at least grab a jersey with some pockets on the back. You don't have to get a tight fitting one, but it will help. Especially if you go without a Camelbak. You can load up the jersey pockets up with gear and that gear won't slap you in the back. This also alleviates carrying all that stuff in shorts pocket, slapping you in the legs. Jerseys also breather better that a dry fit t-shirt will.
Your bike should be fine for any race assuming you are comfortable with it. In Cat 3 races I have seen everything from single speeds to carbon hartails to 6 inch travel all-mountain bikes. Ride whatever you are fastest and most comfortable on. If that is a bike with 2.5 inch tires and lots of travel, so be it. Just understand that you won't be leaving too many people on the climbs. If the bike does not fit your strengths, you are hurting your chances of finishing well. Both of my bikes are short travel 29ers. They fit my riding strengths very well and I am faster for that.
Hydration:
I still ride with a Camelback at almost every XC race. However, it is a small, light weight one with 70oz of water and one pocket. The pocket is big enough to hold tire levers, 3 CO2 cartridges, and a CO2 valve. I tape a spare tube to the back of my seatpost. The only exception is when I am racing in the single speed class. My SS has two water bottle holders, so for XC races I do not need the Camelback. When that is the case, I shove the CO2 and levers in one of my jersey pockets and ride without a Camelback.
What to expect:
XC races have a fast start, usually on hardpack or gravel. Everyone will be gunning to be the first into the woods. If you truly want to try and win, it is best to be the first in the woods, or at least towards the front. Starting in the middle and trying to catch people is not a strong strategy. When catch someone, you will have to wait for a good place to pass while the leader keeps pulling away. Sometimes, people do not want to let you by; though this is not usually a problem in grassroots racing. I approach it this way, if someone is behind me I let them ask to get by. If someone asks, I will acknowledge thier request by either letting them by if able, or I will tell them to wait until I find a good spot to pull aside slightly. The second is only if the course is technical or we are on a tight section. If I need to pass someone, I let them know that I want to pass. Most of the time people will pull off to one side and I shoot through the opening. Some may just say go ahead, at which time I have to choose which side I want to pass them on and announce it before I get there. If someone who is obviously slower than you won't let you by, you either force you way by, but announce which side you are passing them on. If they cut you off, use your imagination. This may be different in your area though. Ask the race director what the rules on passing are. The grassroots races around here haves rules stating that you have to let faster people by. A Cat 3 race is usually about 10 miles long or one lap of the race course. There are exceptions. If the race course is 5-6 miles, you will probably do two laps.
Hope this helps.
Custom Steel Cysco 29er (on the way)
2011 Allez Comp Apex
Haro Mary SS 29er
Racing for Harpeth Bikes.
"Rest satisfied with doing well and leave others to talk of you as they please"
"Every time I make a plan, God laughs at me."
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