Gorrick Autumn Classic - Minley Manor

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BY: Louise Robinson

Published: 11th November, 2013


I think my body is trying to hibernate. It must be all this rain and miserable weather. I just want to eat cake and sit on the sofa under a blanket. I can’t be the only one, surely.

As I packed up for the race the night before, while the rain lashed down outside, I had about as much motivation to race as I usually muster for my annual appraisal at work. Even in the morning I was mentally stacking up my excuses as I deliberated about what I was going to wear. But I have never been so glad I dragged myself out of bed. Normal service with the weather gods has been resumed and after the torrential rain of the last week we had a one day window of sunshine. The course was great fun and the atmosphere at the event was really positive.


Roki Read (Four4th Lights) leads out the Men’s Super Vets five weeks after breaking his collar bone

After a last minute change of venue was forced by the land owners, the race was moved to Minley Manor, home of Torq12:12. This was a big gamble for Gorrick as Minley has never been used as a winter race venue before, and is in the midst of some serious Forestry work. Given the amount of rain we have had in the last two months the course could have been a disaster. However, some clever course planning and uncanny luck with the weather produced another cracking event.


Under 11’s 

I started the day with a gentle warm up lap – also known as the kids under 11 race. My son Isaac (8) lined up nervously on the start line and set off to a cracking start, working his way up towards midfield. I followed at the back and got on with the usual duties of picking up fallers and promising Mars bars to flagging kids (hope your Dad did buy you that Mars Bar Jack, you did deserve it!) Isaac was doing really well until he stopped for a drink on a uphill field section, fell off his bike, couldn’t get going again, saw the rest of the field pass him and watched his mojo dissolve into the ground. But, after a minor moment he pulled himself together and rode into the finish. Dead last. But a dry jumper and a chocolate bar later and he was all smiles again. A bit of refuelling coaching needed, I think!

Due to a low entry in the ladies Expert field we were set off with the Men’s Sport race. I find this format so much better for my race times because the larger field means I almost constantly had other riders in my sights. I was joined on the start line by Emily Benham, World Class mountain bike orienteer, all the way from Norway.

We both had reasonable starts amongst the men; I pulled into the single track just ahead of Emily and settled into a steady pace. Given the fact I can get lost in a shopping centre it was a very good thing XC race courses are well marked. Not having to map read gave me the advantage and I pushed on though the single track and began picking off the men one by one.


First lap with Emily Benham on my wheel

At the start of lap two I caught Mountain Trax owner Chris White and sat in on his wheel through one of my favourite sections, Banksey. Part way through the lap Chris picked up a stick in his rear mech and I passed him as he stopped to remove it, only for me to do the same thing about 200 meters further on. Chris passed me again and so began our game of cat and mouse that lasted the best part of an entire lap. By the end of lap three Chris and Emily were well out of sight behind me and my biggest problem was staying on my bike. I used every inch of grip from my Racing Ralphs and I could have done with more in places. One corner on Olympic Ridge got the better of me and I hit the dirt. I managed to jump straight back on but then rode the rest of the section like a complete numpty – the adrenaline surge from falling off just made me a jittery wreck.


Second lap with Chris White

The ground was inevitably wet. In some places, very wet. The sunshine helped, and then again it didn’t. By my third lap drier lines were appearing on the course. By lap four I had learnt to head towards the water, it was easier to ride through. Nobody likes treacle. 


The wet line was actually the fastest

I finished the race first Expert lady and 10th in the men’s Sport race. I thoroughly enjoyed myself (well except for the falling off) and would like to thank the course organisers for yet another great event.

Two weeks off before the first round of the Merida Brass Monkeys. I shall be riding the 4 hour event this year; well I have to start my preparations for a solo at Bontrager 24:12 somewhere?!
If you are planning to enter, make sure you get your online entry in early as there is a limit of 500 riders and no entries on the day. The XCracer team will be out in force for some of these races so look out for us.

More on the Endura Autumn Classic 2:
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Louise
 

Louise Robinson

Mum, Pharmacist and XCracer Team Rider

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This blog post was written by a third party and their views do not necessarily reflect the views of XCRacer.com

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