Gorrick Autumn Classic - Frith Hill

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BY: Louise Robinson

Published: 15th October, 2013

It is well known that Jon Lucas sold his soul to the devil many years ago in return for dry weather at every Gorrick race. And to be fair, the bargain usually holds. Only very occasionally does Mother Nature decide to remind everyone who is really boss. So when we get a wet Gorrick race, we get a really wet race. Biblical in fact.

Best race prize of the season - thanks Merida

It's actually been two years since the last one so pretty good going really and the last time we raced at Frith Hill was for the Army Cycling Unions Are You Tough Enough enduro where heat stroke and sunburn were the name of the day.

If the dust could have done with a little damping down then, it certainly could have done with a little less damp now.

Little Dean provided mechanic services and much needed shelter on the start line

As we hovered around the start line, crowded under Little Deans race mechanic gazebo, the rain was relentless and all enthusiasm ebbed away like the river that was developing in the middle of the car park. With just 3 entrants in the ladies expert race we started with the sport men. This worked out really well for us ensuring plenty of company for the four lap race.

 The course was the usual Gorrick mix of twisty single track and short steep climbs. In the dry it would have been technical at race pace. In the wet it was hmmm.. Interesting. The ground held up to the colossal amount of rain very well considering. But so much rain fell that a quagmire was inevitable. It was predictably slippery, with top soil washing away and roots emerging everywhere. One section I came to know as "the travelator" was a gentle Singletrack climb towards the end of the lap which was freshly cut into the mulchy soil and felt just like riding the wrong way on an airport travelator. By the fourth lap I have to say I didn't have the energy or inclination to battle it again and was very thankful of my studded SPDs. 

The Travelator

The race was very uneventful from my point of view. Emily Iredale quickly took the lead and disappeared out of my sights and with Stephania Magri behind me I just contented myself with battling the boys and trying to stay upright on the bike. If I hadn't been quite so terrified it probably would have been loads of fun. The rain continued relentlessly. The race course was 95% under tree cover which provided a much needed umbrella to the worst of the rain but at times the noise of the rain hitting the tree canopy was immense. 

Emily Iredale - Ladies Expert winner

I also really struggled with seeing where I was going in  this race. Being as blind as a bat I usually were contract lenses with non-presription glasses on top to keep the flying muck out of my eyes. In the pouring rain I got a double whammy of mud/rain on the outside of the lenses with a "steamed up" effect on the inside. By the end of lap 3 I was so exasperated with it I shoved my glasses down my shirt and decided to take the gamble that I wouldn't get anything flung into my eyes. The change was a revelation, even if I had to give myself a double eye bath as soon as I got home. Being able to see the race course in front of you is a massive advantage.

Stephania Magri - Ladies Expert race

As the day wore on the course became worse and worse with lap times extending steadily. I have never been so glad of an early start. As soon as I finished I stripped off down to my base layer, hopped in the car, whacked on the heated seats and headed home. 

Michael Guilford - Mens Expert second place

Hats off the organisers for remaining cheerful despite spending the whole day in the pouring rain with nothing but the thought of all the clearing up to spur them on.

Show me the shower

Well done to everyone who race, rode or ran. That was a hard one. A little less water next time please.

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