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Gorrick Exodus Spring Series Round One

Luke Webber reports from a dry and sunny Yateley Heath

Posted: 31 January 2006
by Luke Webber

Gorrick racing entered 2006 with a bang, as nearly 500 riders turned out to ride 4.5 miles of dry singletrack under sun-drenched skies. It really did seem like summer again on a lap which took in some rooty twists and turns before heading toward some high speed loamy singletrack and short climbs. You certainly couldn't say this was a course for the roadies!

Thanks to series sponsors Exodus Holidays, Ian Petherbridge walked away with £600 toward a biking break in Turkey and all for just turning up to ride.

First race winner of the day was Luke Gray (Dorset Rough Riders), who dominated the Juvenile category. Hot on his heels was Youth winner Michael Butler (VC Deal), picking up his inaugural number one of 2006. All of the usual faces were out in the Super Masters, Lloyd Bettles (Numplumz) finally pulling clear of Mark Hutt (AW Cycles) after a race long battle. Darren Shepherd (Tri UK) fought back from the back of the pack and took a superb third.

Matt Carter (Epping Hard Cru) took to the front of the Masters field and never looked back, winning the race in style ahead of Ben Loaker (Numplumz) and Nigel Grantham (PedalOn). In the Veterans it was the usual story - Roland Tilley (Ride Cycleworks) to the front, race win in the bag. Steve Jones (AW Cycles) did his best to match the pace, but one lap was enough and second seemed a good result. Bren Divall (Brixton Cycles) took the final podium place.

Last year Grand Vet Norman Butler (BikeGuatemala.com) seemed unbeatable, but today he could only manage second. Ray Crossthwaite (PedalOn.com) decided it was his turn to win in style, by over a minute. The Open race saw the biggest field of the day, with over 100 riders cramming the line, and then some! Despite telling me pre-race that he was going to cruise round with junior development riders, the occasion obviously went to Rob Lee's head. He did what comes naturally, riding away into the sun, resplendent in world champs jersey, and winning by a few minutes. Young Jake Moxham (Dysons Cycles) made many riders look elderly as he rode into second, ahead of Lee Imrie (Beyond Mountain Bikes).

With the departure of several riders, the Sport field underwent something of a revamp, with a number of new faces in the field. Youth overcame experience in the race, with the top four finishers all under 18! Jay Spetch (Torq Bar) took the win, with National Youth Cyclo-Cross Champion Alex Paton (VC Deal/Activ) second. Shaun Hurrell (Glendene CC/Biketrax) was third and Lewis Marsh (InterBike RT) fourth.

The Elite/Expert race saw several stages of selection on a course that took its toll on a few riders. First Jamie Newall (Evans Cycles) Mark Russell (Torq Bar) and Jon Webb (JustRidingAlong.com) blew out come lap three, leaving Rob Smart (Guernsey Velo) Chris Minter (PedalOn) and John Veness (Kona). Veness showed his experience and pulled away on the final lap from the tiring Minter, second and Smart, third.

The women's races were also spectacularly attended. It was great to see competitive fields with real racing going on throughout. Rebecca Webb (JustRidingAlong.com) took the Elite win, with Elizabeth Foot doing the same in Sport. Viv Hazelton continued her great form winning Open, Cam Brown (PedalOn) finished first in the Master/Veteran and Helen Antram cleaned up in Super Masters.

With such a high turnout the series is shaping up to be a cracker - make sure you come on down to Crowthorne in three weeks time to sample some more of what makes Gorrick great.

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Discuss this story


Pete-owan Hobbit
T'was a great course indeed, just a bit of a pity about the churned up ground and newly exposed tree roots - wheelslide of death, anyone? And why oh why oh why oh why oh why do all racers insist on starting at the front, regardless of ability, only to cause a bottle-neck at the first corner or bit of singltrack?

Anyway, griopes aside, had a great day. I even managed to finish the race American Flyers stylee, slinging my bike across my back and running the last 30m after suffering a puncture :-)
Posted: 02/02/2006 08:57


Furry FLaP
He says in that report that it felt like summer again - jeez not where I was, it was quite nippy in the morning.

Yeah I saw Pad coming in bike a la shoulder, have to say looked quite impressive actually.

and I know I was only inthe fun, but the bottleneck at the beginning was a bit annoying - especially when you are following some guys on singletrack you know you can go quicker on...! Good day though and I will be at the next one.
Posted: 02/02/2006 10:21


Luke Webber 2
Crikey! Someone complaining that an XC race might be a bit technical? Who'd have thought ;)
Posted: 02/02/2006 10:21


6ti Mike! hasn't been over the bars.. yet
luke, no need to be a twat
Posted: 02/02/2006 10:23


Furry FLaP
who said technical? I enjoyed the course, and I know that if I do more of these races my riding will improve (I'm pretty sh*t hot already though!!!;-])



Posted: 02/02/2006 10:35


Luke Webber 2
Referance to summer: well, it felt like summer to me - the sun was out, I got to catch up with loads of people who I'd not seen for a few months - it was a really great atmosphere and reminded me of why I loved racing so much in 2005.

Hey 6ti - lets not take things too seriously! I was just making the point that a couple of years ago 'real' mountain bikers were complaining that all mtb races may as well have been held on the road because there was nothing technical about them.

I think it is great that some new courses are being made that actually challenge the rider, rather than making it a road race with knobbly tyres and a bit of mud.

Personally I'm not a gifted rider in technical terrain, but I chose mtb because I like to be challenged and like to be made to look like a fool sometimes. There were a coulple of sections that I found demanded my concentration on Sunday, but I got a great feeling when I cleaned them next time round.

For me this is how mtb should be. Yes, the roots were slippy and tricky but it was great to have something challenging the bike handling skills rather than just the fitness.

Luke
Posted: 02/02/2006 13:40


Furry FLaP
Yes there was one root that had me off both times round!!!!

Was sunny, and warm(ish) in the sun, but when I first got there it was rather nippy.

Glad you enjoyed Luke, are you going to the next round?
Posted: 02/02/2006 14:03


Alex Woodhead (Owner of some squeaky Julies...)
How hard are the gorrick events?
I'm thinking of entering the next one, but I'm not sure how fit you need to be.
Posted: 02/02/2006 14:12


Furry FLaP
How hard do you want it to be? I went to the first one and entered the fun event (2 laps) with the intention of just enjoying myself and seeing what it was all about, as soon as the horn went I started racing, especially on the 2nd lap, came 43 out of 78,(on SS) and really enjoyed that is why I will do the next event, I am 'training' for it...!
Posted: 02/02/2006 14:32


Luke Webber 2
Fairy - I am at all the Gorrick's since I do the race reporting :)

Alex - come along and enjoy the ride would be my advice. There were laptimes ranging from 20 minutes (Elite winner, John Veness) through to an hour on Sunday, so pretty much everyone is catered for. You certainly don't need to be the next Liam Killeen to enjoy the experience.

Crowthorne woods is the definitive Gorrick venue - plenty of fast singletrack flowing through the trees, a couple of climbs and of course the corkscrew, which weaves and dips through trees, with some exposed roots and even a drop off!

Great fun, but pretty tricky to master (for me at least).
Posted: 02/02/2006 14:35


Furry FLaP
Oh yes Luke - just re-read the article and in big clear lettering is your name.....
Posted: 02/02/2006 14:45


Smidge™ Lloyd
Does it matter IF i am the next Liam Killeen?
Posted: 02/02/2006 14:51


Luke Webber 2
Yes, because it means you'll beat me and I will lose another position ;)
Posted: 02/02/2006 15:13


Bren Divall
ALEX, You could enter the Beginner category, & race just 1 lap, or try the Fun category & race 2 laps. Go on, give it a go, I assure you that you will be surprised with your performance - everyone rides better when the pressure's on!
As to those complaining of bottlenecks - maybe you should be in a faster category where you won't be racing to the front? Or get to the start line ealier so you're on the front (if you have the legs to stay there).
Thanks for the mention in the results LUKE - did you know this was my first race as a veteran?
Posted: 02/02/2006 15:45


Furry FLaP
Bren yeah I did start at the back as it was my first race - the next one I will try to get to the middle (only to see more people passing me!!!!)


Posted: 02/02/2006 15:50


Furry FLaP
Luke - can I get a mention for the next one if I ride SS?
Posted: 02/02/2006 15:51


Luke Webber 2
Yes, but I kept it quiet - I didn't want to make you feel too old!
Posted: 02/02/2006 15:51


Bren Divall
LUKE, I'm not old, at 39 I must be the youngest Vet.
Posted: 02/02/2006 15:58


Nick Evans
Sorry Alan, a lot of people do ride SS, the chap who won the 2005(?) Spring series in sport, Paul Davies, rides SS, and those are some damn fast laps. He was riding Expert SS this race, although he didn't finish, poor example!

Luke your training seems rather intense, Malaga with Mr Clarke?! How did you wangle that? I WILL kick your arse again at the next one.
Posted: 02/02/2006 16:06


Furry FLaP
Oh allright, better put the gears on then!!!

Or get quicker with the SS
Posted: 02/02/2006 16:12


Alex Woodhead (Owner of some squeaky Julies...)
Well I've printed out an entry form and it's sitting on my desk, I'm shatting myself just thinking about racing...
Posted: 02/02/2006 17:25


Furry FLaP
Well done Alex, will see you there, what you riding?
Posted: 02/02/2006 17:27


Luke Webber 2
Bren: You may be the youngest Vet, but I'm only a young whipper snapper so 39 seems a long way off to me!

Nick Ev: There are ways and means - namely lots of hard work! Check out the report (when I go) and other pro racer interviews, as well as how I found the weekends Gorrick on www.XCracer.com (plug)
Posted: 02/02/2006 18:20


Alex Woodhead (Owner of some squeaky Julies...)
I'll be riding a red hardrock, FLaP.

Dose anyone know how muddy the course gets? If it gets properly muddy I may need a new front tyre.
Posted: 02/02/2006 21:29


6ti Mike! hasn't been over the bars.. yet
*considers it*
Posted: 02/02/2006 22:28


Bren Divall
Alex, the course used on Sunday was virtually bone dry. As a rule, Gorrick's venues drain like seives, so they're rarely muddy.
Posted: 02/02/2006 23:12


Alex Woodhead (Owner of some squeaky Julies...)
Bum flaps I've just been told we're not here on the 19th, it'll have to be the Heath Warren one instead...
Posted: 02/02/2006 23:44


Alex Woodhead (Owner of some squeaky Julies...)
Go on mike get your butt up here and give a gorrick a try...
Posted: 03/02/2006 11:33


Mark N
Well I had my first Gorrick at the weekend 3 laps in the open. I am well and truly hooked now. Go for it Mike.
Posted: 03/02/2006 12:35


Nick Evans
Aaw, so many Gorrick virigns hehe!

See everyone in 2 weeks it'd seem!
Posted: 03/02/2006 20:39


6ti Mike! hasn't been over the bars.. yet
woohoo, it's the weekend after i get back from france, i should be able to do it!
to the max

make that woohoo to the uber max, my dad's offered me a lift!
Posted: 03/02/2006 21:05


6ti Mike! hasn't been over the bars.. yet
now to decide which category, i reckon open would do me, i'm fairly healthy enough to do my 5 miles commute without breaking a sweat

but 15? i reckon that'd be about right for me to keep up a good pace
Posted: 03/02/2006 21:28


Nick Evans
Yeah open's a good choice, it's got a whole lot of ringers, people at the top end who really shouldn't be there (but they can stay there rather than beat me in sport!) but it goes right down to the rather slower folks too.

Bear in mind a 5 mile commute is absolutely nothing compared to a race! I find a 20 sport race more taxing than a 60 mile road ride or 40 mile off road group ride.

Be good to put another name to a face though, I'll watch out for the blinged up Hardrock!
Posted: 03/02/2006 23:04


6ti Mike! hasn't been over the bars.. yet
blinged up front of hardrock, i haven't got my new rear wheel made yet, nor the m4 for the rear :-(
Posted: 03/02/2006 23:08


Ali.

Think I'll also be doing it :-)

*Hopes there aren't hills*


Posted: 05/02/2006 21:05


6ti Mike! hasn't been over the bars.. yet
anyone else doing it that's not sponsored?

i reckon some kind of team entry like "bikemagic slackers" or summit like that
Posted: 05/02/2006 22:01


Alex Woodhead (Owner of some squeaky Julies...)
LOL, good idea, I was trying to think up a funny team name...
Posted: 06/02/2006 11:03


Furry FLaP
Ooohhh can I be in your team?

I will be entering in the fun btw
Posted: 06/02/2006 11:45


Furry FLaP
We could call the team FLaP Riders or something (can I be manager?)



Edit - How about Team FLaP?
Posted: 06/02/2006 11:46


Alex Woodhead (Owner of some squeaky Julies...)
No, I think we should be "represtenting for the BM posse"...






i.e. Mikes "BM Slackers", if they'll let us use that...
Posted: 06/02/2006 12:33

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