Gorrick Spring Series Round 1
Tunnel Hill, Mytchett: 28/01/07
By Ben Thomas
New year, new bikes, new categories, new teams and new competition.
After the winter break the team was back together for the first race of the season at Tunnel Hill in Mytchett. This event would surely give an indication of who had been putting in the effort over the winter months. This venue was used back in October for the first time and became an instant favourite for many. With team member Paul Howard designing and modifying the course there were promises of an even better course.
The venue was packed with over five hundred people turning up to race throughout the day and although it's still January it was great weather resulting in a dry course with only a few puddles to dodge during the race. As promised many new sections had been cut into the forest. Features that stood out include the swooping descent through a ditch named Deja Vu and the jumps and drops that scattered the course.
Paul Howard was the first of the team to race setting some strong lap times and enjoying the course he had created over the winter. Paul actually set exactly the same average lap times as me over our four laps, although Paul's were slightly more consistent. He had race long battles with two riders and eventually "broke the elastic" on the fourth lap by using local knowledge to his advantage in the singletrack. With less than a mile to the finish a strong climb secured another position safe in the knowledge that the gap could be extended over the rock slab and dropoffs through the gulley. In the Supermasters category with 31 participants Paul managed a respectable 11th place.
Dean (now racing in the Veterans' category) proved getting older doesn't necessarily mean you get any slower with some superb lap times ripping apart the competition. After the first lap he was just twenty-two seconds behind the leader. By the end Dean managed to finish a superb fourth place in a category that had eighty-five racers, and finished not too far behind second and third places. Dean's lap times were very consistent and he ended up having the fastest average lap time of the whole team. After already beating his best Gorrick cross-country race performance from last year of seventh place he should be confident of some podiums this year. Must be all those Jelly Babies and Jaffa Cakes that he eats during race weekends.
After a difficult winter including several weeks off the bike John hadn't had the chance to put down any solid base miles and unfortunately the lack of training took effect after two laps. He eventually called it a day on lap three. Better luck next time.
This left Calum, Warren and myself still to race in the Sport category. Warren said his plan was to ride at his own pace but was this just an excuse to make us all un-expecting. Unfortunately we started from around the fourth row back. As the race set off the pace set at the front was fierce. I battled my way through the riders in front over the first lap and settled in around eighth place. Much to my amazement Calum was in hot pursuit. I knew Calum would ride strong and when he overtook me I was wrong to let him go so easily. Calum quickly went to the front of the race and began to push the pace as he led. Unfortunately Calum's chain snapped on the second lap and he lost touch with the leading group. Illness from the previous few days started to take effect on me meaning I struggled to drink. By the end of the race I was completely dehydrated and felt like every bit of energy had been taken from my body. The effects of working so hard to catch up after his chain snapped took effect on Calum during his fourth lap resulting in a three minute hike in his lap time. I caught one rider on the final climb and eventually finished seventh. Calum managed an excellent ninth considering his snapped chain on lap two and Warren rode over the line after a steady race in twenty-first place.
Members of the team missing from the race included Chris who was on shop duty. Lorraine is currently recovering from an injury which means she can only ride for up to thirty minutes although she very kindly came along to support/abuse her team mates as we raced around. Paul Hopkins was suffering from the after effects of a chest infection but still came along to see everyone and ride a few slow laps.
For the first time I was racing the new 2007 Scott Scale 30 hardtail. This is the first time that I had ridden a hardtail for racing duties and after riding the Santa Cruz Blur XC last year it felt completely different. The bike felt stiff and very responsive under acceleration. I had been worried that it wouldn't grip on the downhills but although it may have been a little more uncomfortable than a full suspension bike I felt that I had more control as I could feel what was happening on the trail below. The standard Scott Oxyd tyres gripped well allowing me to let off the brakes and throw the bike into the corners. The bike's light weight should help me at venues like Swinley Forest where the next Gorrick is taking place with its short sharp climbs.
Calum was also riding a new bike. Here's what he had to say about his Giant Anthem race bike.
"Having finally gotten round to getting a new bike after all these years of riding hand-me-downs I was looking forward to my first race (and only second ride) on my spangly new Giant Anthem 1, albeit with last years frame colours (personally I like it). In the end, she was everything I expected; fast and smooth. She accelerates like a hardtail, with no bob: even cranking away in the big ring out of the saddle, and still soaked up hits and roots like a full-sus should. However, the best thing about the Anthem is her cornering. Going from a hardtail to the Anthem you realise what they mean when people talk about being spat out of corners, just crank her up and feel the suspension kick you back out, I loved it."
The team now have 3 weeks to put in some training miles before the next round of the Gorrick Spring Series. Swinley Forest is the local stomping ground for many of the team with the shop located nearby. This venue is a definite favourite for many and I can't wait to race there once again. See you all on the 18th of February at Swinley Forest.
Pos Laps Time Time+ Name Lap 1 Lap 2 Lap 3 Lap 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUPERMASTER 11 4 01:42:58 10:05 PAUL HOWARD 24:57 25:27 26:07 26:27 VETERAN 4 3 01:16:10 02:51 DEAN MORGAN 25:13 25:40 25:17 GRAND VETERAN 12 2 01:04:57 JOHN NEWPORT 31:43 33:14 ----- SPORT 7 4 01:43:02 05:19 BEN THOMAS 24:21 25:42 26:36 26:23 9 4 01:45:05 07:22 CALUM CHAMBERLAIN 24:09 28:15 24:51 27:50 21 4 01:50:19 12:36 WARREN BATES 26:17 27:00 27:36 29:26