Saddle Skedaddle Spring Series Races

Date	Event Information	Venue / Map
05 Feb 12	2012 Saddle Skedaddle Spring Series 1	Tunnel Hill - West » Mytchett, Mytchett Place Road, Surrey
26 Feb 12	2012 Saddle Skedaddle Spring Series 2	Tunnel Hill - East » Mytchett, Mytchett Place Road, Surrey
11 Mar 12	2012 Saddle Skedaddle Spring Series 3	Crowthorne Wood » Bracknell Road, Crowthorne, Berkshire
01 Apr 12	2012 Saddle Skedaddle Spring Series 4	Frith Hill » Deepcut Bridge Road, Deepcut, Surrey
22 Apr 12	2012 Saddle Skedaddle Spring Series 5	Windmill Hill, Deepcut Sports Ground » Cyprus Road, Deepcut, Surre

Stephen’s view from the back of the pack

Q: Who ate all the porridge?

A: Alex!

Porridgepot Hill was the venue for Gorrick’s latest mountain bike race. A sinuous, flowing singletrack course on firm ground with a cool and sunny spring day made for fast and furious racing. But who is fastest: Alex or Alex?

Post-race I was chilling on my car’s tailgate with Margot when the two smiling Alexs (Alexes? Alexs’?) arrived to show their trophies. This time, Alex had beaten Alex, whereas at the last Gorrick at Warren Heath Alex had edged it ahead of Alex (are you keeping up?).

Alex T

The start of the Open race was delayed to allow two crashed riders to be scraped off the track and bundled into the ambulance. The delay prompted Alex to enquire of the organiser if there was sufficient time to grab a quick cup of tea. Whereupon at the re-start, after the ambulance had trundled past the start melee with its broken contents, John the organiser checked to see if Alex had returned form his cuppa so that he could get the race under way.

Race preparation is key, we are told. Alex was explaining to Alex and my wife that he had been working a late shift the previous night (we think he’d been out on the piss, but whatever) and brought some porridge to eat before the race. This is obviously the food of champions and far superior to slimy energy gels, because as I said earlier, Alex had beaten Alex this time.

Alex D

Moral of the story for us wannabees: no more excuses that a race course is too hill or muddy, that the gears don’t work or the brakes are sticky, or that the tyre are the wrong type or too old (eek…mine are 6 years old). You just need a bowl of Alex’s porridge* to get a great result at a Gorrick. Porridge power works at Porridgepot hill!

NB Good results by South Downs riders, topped by a superb second place by Steve Calland in the Masters.

On a separate note, many years ago Gorrick organised a day/night race at this venue in the days before super LED lights. One race in the afternoon, and another one at night with combined results to count. Strangely, I was faster in the dark than the daylight.

*being mountain bikers we need more specific details, of course. Was it Tesco’s finest, Sainsbury’s organic or Shimano jumbo oat flakes?

(with apologies to Alex D and Alex T)


Stephen Turner

Saddle Skedaddle Spring Series Rd 3 - 6th Mar 2011

Results

Male Masters    6th    Matt Knight         1.06.50   3 laps
                       44th   Steve Calland        53.56    2 laps(mechanical)

Male Open        9th      Alex Taylor        1.11.45   3 laps
                        10th    Alex Davey        1.11.55   3 laps
                        52nd   Damian Redman 1.23.21   3 laps
                        70th    Stephen Turner   1.30.19   3 laps

Grand Vet Male 7th    Ian Petherbridge  1.13.22   3 laps 

Saddle Skedaddle Spring Series - 16th Feb 2011

Alex D & Alex T

Results from Round 3:-  

Master Male
2nd -  Steve Calland  -  1hr 03mins 47secs - 3 laps
6th  -  Matt Knight    -   1hr 07mins 45secs - 3 laps
7th  -  Ben Connor    -   1hr 07mins 54secs - 3 laps

Open Male
6th  -  Alex Taylor     -   1hr 10mins 41secs -  3 laps
57th - Stephen Turner - 1hr 29mins 33secs -  3 laps

Steve C & Matt K

Brass Monkeys Round 3

On arrival at Parkhurst Hill the skies were overcast threatening rain with a stiff breeze making for a chilly start.

The Course:
A course billed with a 1000ft of climbing per lap was always going to be tough but add in boggy, claggy soil and it became a race of attrition.
Many of the racers suffered cramp including a race ending bout for Alex Davey. Aside from the pain Gorrick and the ACU had put together an excellent course with a great mix of singletrack and open trail with a bomb hole stream crossing near the finish for a bit of fun. Due to the recent spell of inclement weather the course was sodden in places and the weight of riders caused a couple of sections to be re-routed.

Matt hitting the bridge just right

The Race:
With the weather being chilly I started with plenty of layers which I thought would be discarded during the race, however, with the breeze only the gilet came off. The turnout was excellent with over 100 riders on the line for the 4 hour race and 240 for 2 hours including 14 Southdowns riders.

French Dave and Ben at the start

Out of the blocks! The usual sprint off the line into the first hill and the inevitable bunch into the single track. Even this early it was clear that the course would suffer. After the rush I settled into a steady rhythm and focused on picking off the laps.

Amanda

However, when I hit the fourth lap the course started to hit me! As the clag took its toll on my legs I found myself contemplating the passion/obsession question Ben posted in his report from round 2. I also contemplated running the course, chain suck was a major issue in the second half of the race. One guy was running a Shimano Alfine gear system. Definitely a good call for the conditions. Given My final 2 lap times I was pleased to find I had finished 15th.

The post race chat focused on the conditions but also on Goodness Shakes flavours. Vanilla won 2-1 on the line, what's your favourite flavour?


Congratulations to James, 3rd on the day (despite gear problems from the first lap following a collision) and overall series winner! Great start to
2011 season. Congratulations to Dave and Ian Finishing 9th and 11th in their respective categories, and well done to everyone else for getting through it

Alex Taylor's View of the Gorrick

Going into round 1 of the Gorrick Spring Series I was prepared and ready, Then like most people I was hit with man flu (what a blow). With this in mind, mentally I was not in the best place but I got all my stuff ready and set off for round 1.When I got there Steve Calland had just cruised thought to win the masters.I had put Bonty Mud X's on and after my pre ride lap I soon realised this was not the best choice, so when I got back to the car I had about 20 mins to change then to my Geax Mezcal's I put them on grip direction and I think this was a good move in the end. Going into the first corner it was quite busy, being a field of 65. We all soon found out our speed and I was with a group of 5 and kept with them. Then 2 of us broke away and stayed away, it stayed like that for the rest of the race. We past 2 more but we were caught by someone who crashed previously (he was going well). I was so pleased with how the race went I finished 20th with consistent lap times only dropping 1 min each lap. Now I can look forward to round 2 on the 6th Feb at Heath Warren Woods with a bit more confidence. I'll blog again then to let you all know how things are going.

Alex Taylor.
Looking at your photo mate you were going so fast the trees were catching on fire !!!!!!!!!!!

Gorrick Spring Series Rd 1 Crowthorne Woods

Great results from Crowthorne Woods , Steve so pleased for you on your masters win !!!!!!!

Also in the same category as Steve was Ben Connor , new to the fold but known to many of us , put in an excellent 13th and Alex Davey back racing after weeks of sickness was just behind him in 17th , many battles to come with you two I think !.

Ian I haven't spoke to yet but rumors of a strange big wheeled beast you rode was a tad heavy for your liking ? but still gave him a 6th place in the Grand Vets.

A a very big welcome back to Alex Taylor who placed an excellent 20th in a large open field with impressive times ! good to see you racing again mate .

Hopefully one of you can post a more detailed post when you can and were try and find some photos.


Open Male -   Alex Taylor 20th 1hr 36mins 08secs

Master Male - Steve Calland 1st 1hr 21mins 29secs
                     Ben Connor 13th 1hr 29mins 46secs
                      Alex Davey 17th 1hr 33mins 36secs

Grand Vet -     Ian Petherbridge 6th 1hr 35mins 02secs

All completing 3 laps.

Well Done Guys

Steve Calland

Alex Davey

Ben Connor

Ian Petherbridge

Brass Monkeys Rd2 -Ash Ranges 28th Dec 2010

There are times when I wonder if what I think is a passion for cycling is actually an insane obsession. Tuesday morning was one of those moments. It was 8.30am and I was driving up a snow lined A3 in a thick, grey drizzle. Plus it was only 3 days after Christmas and like half the people I know, I wasn’t feeling that great.

Postie

It was the second round of the Brass Monkeys series at Ash Vale Ranges. The light rain was still trying to wash away the last of the snow as we set off for the 4 hour Enduro. (French) Dave, Ian and I started together as we splashed across the ranges at the start of the first lap. Only a few minutes in I heard the tell tale ‘pop’ of a bursting tyre just ahead. At the next corner I saw Ian examining a badly split tyre. Sadly that was the end of his day and he spent the rest of the day nursing his cold and offering encouragement (at least I think it was) as the rest of us circulated.

French Dave

Dave soon disappeared into the distance as I struggled on in the mud. After the first lap my rear brake pads had gone and the downhills were becoming as challenging as the tough climbs.

The course was a combination of muddy fire-road, slippery singletrack and a few stretches of icy slush! As the 2 hour racers joined us and more tyres churned the mud, the going got harder and harder. 

John D

I several times considered quitting on this insane obsession but I still found myself racing towards the line with the 4 hour deadline looming, desperately trying to extend the agony for another lap! I made it with a minute to spare and started a final leg-aching battle with cramp and the elements. Finally, after nearly 5 hours I found myself shoulder to shoulder with another 4 hour straggler and sprinting for the finishing line.

Gary

Dave had already got some groupie cleaning his bike and Ian packing the car for him, having finished a brilliant 6^th, a suitable reward after the disappointment of his DNF at the first round. I was amazed to find I had finished 12^th which made the day very worth while. 

Billy

There were plenty of other muddy smiling faces in the car park. Well done to James for a brilliant win and everyone else (Billy, Gary, Andy, Stephen and John) who dragged themselves out on a miserable day between Christmas and New Year. 

James

Now safely back home I’m already looking forward to round 3 in January! Passion or madness?

Ben

Happy New Year

Ben Connor

Brass Monkeys Rd2 -Ash Ranges

Just back, pure sweet hell, some pretty serious drop-offs and a lot of climbing.

Results.

2hr Male:-        Billy Turrell              26th    2hrs 29min 25secs  3 laps
                      Gary Brind               43rd    1hr 28mins 57secs  2 laps (mechanical)

2hr Male 40+   Andy Goodyer         18th    2hrs 27mins  58secs   3 laps
                      Stephen Turner        39th    1hr   58mins 16secs   2 laps

4hr Male          Ben Connor             12th    4hrs 50mins 12secs    6 laps

4hr Male 40+   James D'Arcy           1st    4hrs  09mins 09secs    6 laps
                       Dave Cleall              6th    4hrs  36mins 32secs    6 laps
                       John Davies            15th  4hrs  14mins  28secs    5 laps

James up 1 place on the podium

                  
Report to follow.

Brass Monkeys next Tuesday

Round 2 - Merida Brass Monkeys - Tuesday 28 December

After the Winter Warmer, it’s now time for the Christmas Cracker at Ash Common Ranges, Ash (nearest postcode GU12 5EU). Yes, a fun way to work off that Christmas excess and blow away the cobwebs! This is a great chance to ride in a very limited access live firing area, which will be much improved this year following last year’s forestry work curtailing the course. Brass Monkeys is run in conjunction with the Army and is supported by some amazing sponsors, headlined by Merida Bikes. There are 4, 2 and 1 hour age related time categories to choose from based on a 7 mile lap. Many of you have already gathered Series points, but there are plenty more up for grabs this time. There will be Podium presentations on the day plus double spot prizes so make sure you are there for prize giving.
This open heath land venue has all the features that we know you expect from us, like fast flowing single track interspersed with fire breaks. Brought to you by an experienced team with computerised chip race timing, in race live results screen, commentary, photographer, Merida stand and shop, Quaver catering, toilet block, water, bike wash and plenty of parking, and oh yes the heated marquee with live results screen for your supporters!
The event is nearly full, so if you want to enter, do so soon as there will be NO ENTRY ON THE DAY. As before, please bring your MBSA receipt of entry with you in case of any queries. There are plenty of vantage points with great views for safe spectating too if your family and friends want to cheer you on, plus a great pub (The Swan) close by. The pub is open all day from 9am to 11pm and will be serving food. The Swan is only a 200m walk from the venues main entrance.

The Story So Far Rd 1 Brass Monkeys

Porridgepot Hill was the venue change for rd1 usually home for the dusty , hot Are You Tough Enough Army Enduro in July but despite the sub-zero temps the course was actually faster with perma -frosted berms and drop offs this was going to be a quick course.

Ian

10.30 and the 4hr cats were off with high hopes for James and Ian , and despite a puncture James podiumed in 2nd and Ian with a bodyfull of nuuns in him to try and keep the cramp at bay came in 6th !

Damian

John had a brilliant 21st with no mechanicals which had haunted him most of the year .Damian had a very good 39th ! and poor French Dave suffering catastrophic poor prep only completing one fast lap , next time mate !

Matt

4hr male saw Mat put in a 23rd after saying he lost the plot on the penultimate lap , with Ben finishing just behind him.


2hr vets was the cat I was entered and even after a panic attack on our arrival on which I had found my shifters had frozen solid on Johns roof rack but easily cured with hot coffee poured over them. This was my first outing since August and my new medication and I was well pleased with a 16th place and I felt pretty good so look forward to improving in rd 2.

Paddy

Gary and Paddy both passed me in there 2hr male cats but later said they could have paced themselves better !

Gary

But a great effort lads and good turnout in very cold conditions. James sorry we didn't wait for your presentation hope you understand we needed warmth , I know there will be more opportunity's to see you podium !

Brass Monkeys Rd 1 - Porridgepot Hill

Going to be cold, good luck to all guys riding, wrap up. A little different to the last time we were at Porridgepot in July, we were grateful for the cooling wind then.

Dusk 'til Dawn

The plan was to travel up to the 2010 Dusk 2 Dawn with brother Brian but with good family reasons he pulled out, leaving me with a solo drive to a solo event. Final training was a 300 mile road trip the weekend before so I was feeling good about some sort of result for the "southdownsbikes". Checking out the weather before I left confirmed I was going to get a soaking so mud tyres were packed along with all my winter riding gear, two Maxx-Ds, a Diablo with triple piggyback and a joystick. Journey to Norfork went well and soon arrived to a new side of the forest for 2010 including proper toilets, showers and cafe all seemed perfect including a blue sky. On the start line with 1000 other riders the first drops began to fall, its only rain how bad can it be?? First lap was a treat fast, flowing single track with only a few bits of fire road on the 11 mile route. Lap two and now the rain had really kicked in seeing me back to solo tent for waterproof coat and bottle change. Back out for no.3 saw a massive change in the race course as it was quite a challange to trudge round,bomb holes became unrideable and more and more rain, still I felt good and keep on plugging away. Lap four came round and the pits looked a right mess, thrown down bikes and long mud covered faces with the change over area thinning out. By now the rain had taken it's toll and the track was only part ridable, trying to plough on became impossible as chain suck struck every ten rev's in middle and granny ring and after what seemed like a lifetime lap no.4 was over and so was my race. Very disappointed, wet and cold I climbed into my sleeping bag at 0230.Home by 1300 on the Sunday, that was one to forget.

Cheers Alex.

12:12 Torq in your Sleep - 29th August

Minley Manor and Gorrick hosted a hugely successful and enjoyable 3rd edition of TORQ In Your Sleep. The organisation was perfect, the arena was well setup, and the course was one of the year’s favourites with tricky singletrack with names to boot.

A small team of 3 made the short trip up to Army land in Aldershot for another race and another new venue for us.

Andy and Ian P were riding in the Male pairs and I was attempting the vet solo. A quick glance around the riders at the brief gave us a good insight into how tough this was going to be. Strong teams from Torq,Ergon,Mtn Trax,XC Racer,Morvelo and some
handy solo riders. 












Andy was lead for the pair and he turned in a quick 45 min lap, whilst I took a more leisurely 55 mins thinking of the long day to come.









The baton was a wristband and this seemed to cause quite a few teams problems as they struggled to get it off over their gloves and many were dropping them on the handovers. Those bands from Mayhem are certainly effective and perhaps the next purchase for the Gorrick team

Andy and Ian were lapping in pretty consistent times and were in the top 20, I was churning out hour laps and was slowly moving up the field also in the top 20.








4 laps in, the heavens opened and this turned the track which was dry and fast into one where you had to be a little careful as there was plenty of rooty sections. Spongebob was a little treacherous as was the Minley Maze which was tight and twisty.






Luck was on our side the rain stopped and by 7pm when you had to fit your lights the course had dried out again.









Dusk came and the lap times started to slow, by this time the fast boys were coming up to lap me for a second if not third time. This is always the worst time of the race as daylight disappears and your lights are a little ineffective for a while before complete darkness arrives.

The 8.1 mile course with 650' of climbing was holding up well with the 600+ riders. Andy and Ian had now consolidated 19th place and I had moved up to 13th. Satisfied with their efforts the guys called it a day just before midnight, I had succumbed just before 11pm totally beat.






 This was a great event, plenty of thanks for letting people past,a truly great atmosphere with music blaring out from under the Bridge to Nowhere and free beer at the finish. Perhaps we should camp next year???



 Thanks to Gorrick and the Army Cycling Union for probably one of the best enduro's of the year.





A great report from a tri-athlete's first mtb race at Torq in your Sleep
http://i-must-try-harder.blogspot.com/ 2010/09/gorrick-1212-torq-in-your-sleep.html

     

2010 Parham Kermesse

 




Here is a link to a report by Graham Robins for British Cycling.


http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roa20100831-Report--2010-Parham-House-Kermesse-0


Results Cat 3

http://www.surreyleague.co.uk/results/results2010/aug2010/aug28-am.htm

 Results Elite/1/2/3


http://www.surreyleague.co.uk/results/results2010/aug2010/aug28-pm.htm

Southern XC – Alton 22nd August 2010

The last round of the SXC took place this weekend at Alton. The course was run backwards this year and was probably better for it. Alton is always muddy, slippery, flinty, rooty but actually surprisingly enjoyable. Unfortunately just after the start my front Roval wheel broke a spoke, still this wasn’t going to stop me as I had 2nd place in the series to secure and I carried on regardless and was a close 3rd at the end of the 1st lap. There are only 8 spokes on the non disc side of a Roval wheel and with only 7 connected the wheel developed a large buckle and I thought of the consequence of it failing on the flinty descents so with some caution on the rougher sections and drop offs I managed to come in 5th and 2nd in the 2010 SXC series.
Just a note on the wheel, I presume I must have damaged it somehow, I was riding it in Wales last week, it has also seen service in the Alps and Pyrenees, but 8 spokes on one side!
Postie and I are off to the Torq 12/12 next weekend; I plan to use this as training for the Southern XC championship which is being held at Pippingford on 11th September.

Brighton Big Dog 6hr Enduro - 14th August

Emma (below) and Simon (above) 2nd mixed pairs

Best event of the year so far the only thing missing good weather but who needs that to have a great time.
Re-named Brighton Rain Dog by Morvelo and the more apt Brighton Big Bog by Singletrack there were only smiles all round and satisfaction and admiration for all the riders.

The club had a great turn out with 11 riders, with Billy Turrell turning up straight from a busy night shift fighting fires and Stephen Turner toeing the line after a nightime 23 mile run on the South Downs. Respect to you both.

Most catergories were covered and we hoped for some good results with strong pairings in the mixed and male pairs and Matt in the solo.

Alex (above) and Andy (below) 18th Male Pairs

The course had loads of tight, twisting singletrack through the woods, but damp ground and wet roots made it a bit more technical.















There was a 1000ft of climbing but it was quite suttle, nothing too steep. Plenty of sweeping singletrack and tight cornering which became more and more tricky as the day wore on as you slid on the rooty sections. A few obstacles to bunny hop over and some low branches to duck under which kept you on your mettle.

Matt 7th Male 6hr solo again

Everyone got stuck in, Brighton local Ian Leitch became the Big Dog of 2010 after a blinding ride to see off last years winner Yanto Barker.

We fared pretty well to, Emma and Simon who were in 3rd position for most of the race had two blinding last laps each to take 2nd. Matt did his usual and finished 7th with 6 laps in the highly competitive male solo.

Alex and Andy were in another tough cat with some pretty useful pairings and managed 6 laps finishing 16th.

Phil Davey had a great ride grinding out a 10th in the Male Vet Solo.

John - solo

Rich - Team

Despite the conditions everyone had big smiles as they milled around the prize giving, those who left early will be talking about Brighton Big Dog 2010 for a while yet so the event definately made a mark on everyone who took part.

Simon and Emma