Gorrick 100 - The wet and grinding one!
Should we stay or should we go. That was our dilemma outside the shop this morning. Grey skies and a damning forecast would be enough to put the off the hardier souls but with positive minds we headed north to Swinley Forest. 10 miles into the drive the rain started and got considerably heavier as we neared our destination.Arriving we were a little slow to get out of the cars and as the 7 lap riders were lapping next to us their mud splattered faces and kit made us think again. We dithered for about 20 mins whilst looking at the lap times on the Timelaps screen at the finish line where a 1hr 20min lap was looking like the average. I(John Davies) having already entered (1st mistake) decided I would ride, quickly followed by Andy and Emma, Alex wasn't too sure but signed up anyhow. So leaving it to the last moment the 4 of us hurried over to the start line with quite a diminished field 57 in the men’s and 6 in the ladies compared to 103 and 10 last year.
The 10 mile lap was great, some smooth singletrack, a few killer climbs and a only one poor section across an adverse camber which was all but unrideable. The lap was brutal on our trusted steeds though and by the start of the 2nd lap my brakes were all but shot after the last 10 miles of constant grinding (2nd mistake, always fit new brake pad before a Gorrick event).
So by the time I reached the Deer Stalker descent 3.5 miles into the lap I was down to the metal, as were nearly everybody else's. After some nasty scares on the remaining downhills I decided that it was time to call it a day after finishing the lap. Alex had the same idea after a nasty fall and we half expected to see Andy and Emma at the finsh line. But no they are made of sturdier stuff (or had new pads on) and carried on. Emma winning the ladies and Andy coming 6th, respect to you both.
Quote from Emma:- Thanks for your congrats, you might have been more sensible! 14 miles with no brakes! Went through pads and metal,couldn't feel fingers,blistered and bruised hands+damaged frame! Prize of silver platter, shorts and jersey nice though. Experience will be charater building I am told?
Andy also said that pushing downhill was a new experience for them both and he was only passed on the last lap by someone who had stopped and spent 15 mins changing his brake pads, a lesson to think about for future events.
Emma with her 1st place trophy Gorrick 4 Hour
Quote from Gorrick:-
There were many tales to tell with the overriding one being "my brake pads have worn away", rapidly followed up with "but what an excellent course, great fun and no need for mud tyres.
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