Sunday is an example of why I race mountain bikes! The Gorrick team had put together an absolute belter of a course. In complete contrast to the slow, slippery slog we encountered last week, the fast and flowing course at Deepcut created close, adrenalin fuelled racing. The 4 miles of sinuous singletrack, included a couple of nice bomb holes and two strenuous climbs to test the legs, providing very little opportunity to relax!
This was the final round of the series, which brought added pressure. Having just failed to score points in the first round, I needed to finish in the top 15 to be classified with a series position. Riders require 3 points finishes to be eligible.
I made a good start as the pack charged through the remaining puddles down to the first corner. Alex from South Downs Bikes just squeezed down the inside as we turned into the first technical section. I was about 10th and faced with a view I am becoming overly familiar with – Alex’s rear tyre! However, he snuck past a faller at the first steep, rooty section, while I was held up and had to dismount. Back on the bike and I was on the wheel of Matt Field, with whom I have had several closely fought battles. Our best was at the same Deepcut venue last year where he pipped me to the win after 4 hours of neck and neck racing.
We were riding flat out, swooping between the trees and sprinting hard every time the course briefly opened up. It’s as close as you can get to flying a Star Wars speeder bike on Endor! Tunnel vision ahead as you twist left and right, brushing the branches on either side, taking the straightest line possible. The bike rattles across the roots, your arms and legs pumping as they attempt to smooth out the path and power you forward. On the flatter sections he would gain a few yards but I would pull back on the hills and damp parts of the course. The mud tyres I should have fitted last week coming into their own on the loose surface. As we went into the second lap Matt slipped away slightly and I was caught by a couple of riders. Eager for a rest I let them through and then sat on the wheel, letting them tow me back to Matt. Easing past I stuck with Matt on the next climb as we dropped the two newcomers. Going through to start the last lap the commentator announced me in 10th place. Excellent news!
Then I felt that sinking feeling. I could feel the rear rim striking roots and a quick glance showed the tyre had deflated. I don’t normally carry any spares but given the importance of finishing this race I had taken a CO2 cartridge. A quick dismount, a squirt of gas and I was back on my way charging madly after Matt. I almost caught him by the line, and despite the stop, my final lap was only 7 seconds slower than my first. This is probably more a testament to the drying course.
My third top 10 finish moved me up to 11th in the series overall. Compared to last year where I didn’t score a single point I am very happy with the progression. A satisfying result at the end of a perfect days racing.
The Gorrick series continues to be one of the best XC racing series in the UK. XC racing is flourishing as the moment, as demonstrated by nearly 600 entries at the 3rd round! Certainly Gorrick are the standard by which other events should be compared – a superb variety of courses and different venues, always meticulously well organised. Next up their 100km Enduro in two weeks time. @gorrick
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