GORRICK XC SADDLE SKEDADDLE SPRING SERIES 2015
Discussion
Round 1 of the Saddle Skedaddle Spring Series takes place this coming Sunday, 18th January 2015.
Entry is online only, and entries close at 2359hrs tomorrow, Wednesday 14th January 2015.
Correction: Online entries have closed (as at midnight on Wednesday 14th January 2015).
But
I'm considering entering, after I took the Brass Monkeys winter enduro series by storm (
not true). Anyone else up for a laugh?
Format is XC - fixed race length, (instead of enduro - fixed race time), and there are various race lengths to choose from, varying from 'fun' to 'expert' and even races for kids as young as 8 years old. I'm potentially going into the Veteran Male (40-49 yrs) 3 lap race which kicks off at 1129hrs and costs £22 to enter. First race away is the 2 lap, 12+ yrs, fun category at 0855hrs. Last away is the Open Female 16+ 2 lap race, at 1233hrs, with the course closing at 1500hrs.
Correction: Online entries have closed (as at midnight on Wednesday 14th January 2015).
But
Gorrick.com said:
Full details and online entry (which for round 1 closes late Wed 14 Jan) are on our website , otherwise you can always enter on the day, as usual.
The venue is Saddleback Hill, Bracknell Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 4BG. It's behind Collingwood College, on the Old Dean Estate, just of the A30. Saddleback hill itself is the southern tip of the Swinley Forest area, but well away, I think, from the waymarked trails.I'm considering entering, after I took the Brass Monkeys winter enduro series by storm (
not true). Anyone else up for a laugh?Format is XC - fixed race length, (instead of enduro - fixed race time), and there are various race lengths to choose from, varying from 'fun' to 'expert' and even races for kids as young as 8 years old. I'm potentially going into the Veteran Male (40-49 yrs) 3 lap race which kicks off at 1129hrs and costs £22 to enter. First race away is the 2 lap, 12+ yrs, fun category at 0855hrs. Last away is the Open Female 16+ 2 lap race, at 1233hrs, with the course closing at 1500hrs.
Edited by yellowjack on Thursday 15th January 23:17
See my edit, above.
I was mistaken about the online only entry for this series. It seems you can enter on the day too. Which is good, because I missed the deadline for internet entries, so I may still enter.
No one else up for this? Too early in the year for some? Too close to the winter series for others? I know it's a long way to travel for some who took part in the Brass Monkeys winter enduro series, but it's local for a lot of PHers.
I have to say, I'm undecided about Sunday right now, for a number of reasons, not least that I spent over £60 in entry fees for the Brass Monkeys races, and another full series would be another £90-ish. I've also got two bikes to buy, plus shoes, pedals, helmet, etc, so I need to watch where I'm chucking my cash about. It's about 50/50 at the moment as to whether I'll turn up on the day...
I thought I just give this thread a gentle nudge to remind the good MTB folks of Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire of the racing that is happening on their doorstep this coming Sunday morning!
I was mistaken about the online only entry for this series. It seems you can enter on the day too. Which is good, because I missed the deadline for internet entries, so I may still enter.
No one else up for this? Too early in the year for some? Too close to the winter series for others? I know it's a long way to travel for some who took part in the Brass Monkeys winter enduro series, but it's local for a lot of PHers.
I have to say, I'm undecided about Sunday right now, for a number of reasons, not least that I spent over £60 in entry fees for the Brass Monkeys races, and another full series would be another £90-ish. I've also got two bikes to buy, plus shoes, pedals, helmet, etc, so I need to watch where I'm chucking my cash about. It's about 50/50 at the moment as to whether I'll turn up on the day...
I thought I just give this thread a gentle nudge to remind the good MTB folks of Surrey, Berkshire and Hampshire of the racing that is happening on their doorstep this coming Sunday morning!
Its a no from me - just because to do the entire series will take up too many weekends (and damage my mileage target for the year because if im racing on a sunday i dont want to ride on a saturday!)
I am intending to do the Crowthorne one, which is round 2 or 3 i think, in a few weeks.
I am intending to do the Crowthorne one, which is round 2 or 3 i think, in a few weeks.
neenaw said:
I'm local to these but I'm not a fan of Gorrick races
How come? Genuine question, as ive only done 1 gorrick one (and 2 Merida ones) and all seemed quite well organised and good fun. Or is it that you think they are too short/too expensive/too boring?I dont have anything to compare them to...
daddy cool said:
How come? Genuine question, as ive only done 1 gorrick one (and 2 Merida ones) and all seemed quite well organised and good fun. Or is it that you think they are too short/too expensive/too boring?
I dont have anything to compare them to...
I fond them to be not as well organised as other races like the Southern XC's and I also find them to be overpriced.I dont have anything to compare them to...
The last Gorrick race I entered was the Torq in Your Sleep and the organisation was piss-poor. I was told that they'd 'lost' my entry due to a computer error. After much faffing around they eventually let me enter about 15 minutes before the start of the race, having paid another £50 entry fee! Needless to say I didn't get any chance to prepare for it properly.
That was the last straw for me, I won't be doing another one.
On the pricing front, the Torq entry was dearer than a solo entry for Bontrager 24/12 and the Torq wasn't anywhere near the same league as 24/12. Everything about the events was worlds apart.
Another bugbear I have about them is that in many of the series races they don't have podiums after each round which I think is pretty poor.
Speaking to friends who've been on the podium at some of the Gorrick races, the prizes given are pretty dire from what they've said as well.
Each to their own though, many people like them but personally I'd save my money and use it for entries for the Southern XC series instead.
Hadnt heard of Southern XC but just looked at the site. Actually prices (for my sort of category) looks similar to Gorrick but some varied courses so could investigate them in the future.
I suppose on a basic level Gorrick is really convenient for me - most of the courses are a short ride away, or at worst 15 mins in the car!
As for the podium (or lack of) - really not something i will need to worry about unless the rest of my category take a wrong turn and go off the edge of a cliff!
I suppose on a basic level Gorrick is really convenient for me - most of the courses are a short ride away, or at worst 15 mins in the car!
As for the podium (or lack of) - really not something i will need to worry about unless the rest of my category take a wrong turn and go off the edge of a cliff!
Another thank you for highlighting the Southern XC series!
Very interesting website, seems to be better with info than Gorrick, and a wider spread of venues across the whole of the South, rather than the concentrated in one area Gorrick races.
I've no quarrel with the Gorricks (so far) but it cannot do any harm to spread the net a bit wider, and consider some alternatives...
Very interesting website, seems to be better with info than Gorrick, and a wider spread of venues across the whole of the South, rather than the concentrated in one area Gorrick races.
I've no quarrel with the Gorricks (so far) but it cannot do any harm to spread the net a bit wider, and consider some alternatives...
The first race of the Southern XC series is at Black Park near Slough.
It's a flat course with a good mix of fireroad and technical singletrack sections, well worth a look.
Yellowjack, the loop we did at Tunnel Hill was the Southern XC lap from last years race there. It wasn't the greatest when we were out as it was a bit wet in places but it's fantastic when it's dry. Definitely one worth doing if you're local.
It's a flat course with a good mix of fireroad and technical singletrack sections, well worth a look.
Yellowjack, the loop we did at Tunnel Hill was the Southern XC lap from last years race there. It wasn't the greatest when we were out as it was a bit wet in places but it's fantastic when it's dry. Definitely one worth doing if you're local.
daddy cool said:
Yellowjack - you doing the Crowthorne race this Sunday? I havent pre-paid but unless i really feel like crap on sunday im planning on it. Will be the first race of the day (2 lap open entry)
Much like you, I'm undecided. Since my rear mech decided to leap into the cassette and tear itself to bits last week, my MTB is in an "enforced single speed" mode. But the chain is rather too tight to ride for anything other than emergencies. I'm considering trying to persuade No.2 son to lend me his Avalanche 1.0, but while he allows me to 'ride easy' on local trails on it, he's not keen on me racing on it. No.1 son is home too, so I may well be 'playing Taxi' tomorrow.You missed a good race man! Weather was bitterly cold but lovely and sunny and there was zero mud on the 4 mile course. Didn't mean some of the terrain wasn't hard going though - its that packed-down pine needle cushion that feels like cycling through quicksand. No big climbs (just a couple of short sharp uphills) and no technical descents. Hardest part was that it was very rooty in places, and I wished I'd opted for the full-sus.
I went for the "Fun Male" race which was 2 laps, came 7th of 21, which I was happy with. I managed to get a good start and finished lap 1 in 6th, but then fatigue set in (wish I hadn't been out on the road bike yesterday!) and I lost a place.
As ever I recorded some footage in glorious 1080 hd at 60fps... as youtube scales it down to almost unwatchable crap! But gives you an idea of the day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ_Qz_ptj_Y
I went for the "Fun Male" race which was 2 laps, came 7th of 21, which I was happy with. I managed to get a good start and finished lap 1 in 6th, but then fatigue set in (wish I hadn't been out on the road bike yesterday!) and I lost a place.
As ever I recorded some footage in glorious 1080 hd at 60fps... as youtube scales it down to almost unwatchable crap! But gives you an idea of the day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ_Qz_ptj_Y
Firstly, lets address the little white lie? Mud? I saw some. Really early on. There was a puddle, with mud, clear as day, right there on your video... 
The pine needle cushion? You didn't ride round one of the Brass Monkeys? If not you won't be familiar with a bit called 'Sponge Bob Up' - a delightful little uphill segment created this year for the race, and it wasn't even packed down to start with! But I know what you mean about it feeling like riding through quicksand - it seems to add 50% to the gradient of a hill, and sucks speed out of you on the flat.
A bit 'rooty' too. That's Minley right there. Roots agogo, and tough going on knackered Suntour coil forks with a claimed 100mm of travel that's been reduced over 7 years to more like 30mm in practice. It sounds like Sunday's course would have been a little old "home from home" for me! I wish I'd come along now, but I had other things to do in the morning, and 'boy' wasn't enthused by the idea of me racing his bike, which was a fair one. I really need to get my s
t together and either fix the GT or decide on a replacement and buy the bloody thing!
If I'd have come along, then I'd planned to ride the 3 lap "Race 15 - Veteran Male" that kicked off at 1129hrs. 0855hrs seems awfully early to me, especially at the weekend. I might still have a bash at one (or both) of the remaining rounds, serviceable bike dependant.
Congratulations on your 7th place finish, though!
On past performance, I'd have been lucky to see 16th/17th out of a field of 21, but watching your youtube video has me tempted to ride up and give some of the lap a crack on my own. I've often wondered what the riding is like in the 'triangle' north of the Devil's Highway, but I've always been headed toward Swinley when I've been out that way. Soon, though. I'll drag myself out that way sometime soon. Maybe I'll be able to persuade you to nip down to guide me around the race lap
The pine needle cushion? You didn't ride round one of the Brass Monkeys? If not you won't be familiar with a bit called 'Sponge Bob Up' - a delightful little uphill segment created this year for the race, and it wasn't even packed down to start with! But I know what you mean about it feeling like riding through quicksand - it seems to add 50% to the gradient of a hill, and sucks speed out of you on the flat.
A bit 'rooty' too. That's Minley right there. Roots agogo, and tough going on knackered Suntour coil forks with a claimed 100mm of travel that's been reduced over 7 years to more like 30mm in practice. It sounds like Sunday's course would have been a little old "home from home" for me! I wish I'd come along now, but I had other things to do in the morning, and 'boy' wasn't enthused by the idea of me racing his bike, which was a fair one. I really need to get my s
t together and either fix the GT or decide on a replacement and buy the bloody thing!If I'd have come along, then I'd planned to ride the 3 lap "Race 15 - Veteran Male" that kicked off at 1129hrs. 0855hrs seems awfully early to me, especially at the weekend. I might still have a bash at one (or both) of the remaining rounds, serviceable bike dependant.
Congratulations on your 7th place finish, though!
On past performance, I'd have been lucky to see 16th/17th out of a field of 21, but watching your youtube video has me tempted to ride up and give some of the lap a crack on my own. I've often wondered what the riding is like in the 'triangle' north of the Devil's Highway, but I've always been headed toward Swinley when I've been out that way. Soon, though. I'll drag myself out that way sometime soon. Maybe I'll be able to persuade you to nip down to guide me around the race lap Great video but whats with all the coasting?! From 5:00 you are catching the guy in the green jacket, you are on his wheel around 5:30 and I'm almost shouting "NAIL HIM...." then you should have been using that descent to your advantage and taken him, glad to see that you eventually got past though! I always found mtb races became a bit of a mental barrier, you are so used to riding with mates and not overtaking on the singletrack that when you are actually racing you sort of forget to overtake....
From 5:00 you are catching the guy in the green jacket, you are on his wheel around 5:30 and I'm almost shouting "NAIL HIM...." then you should have been using that descent to your advantage and taken him, glad to see that you eventually got past though! I always found mtb races became a bit of a mental barrier, you are so used to riding with mates and not overtaking on the singletrack that when you are actually racing you sort of forget to overtake.... Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 9th February 22:24
pablo said:
Great video but whats with all the coasting?! From 5:00 you are catching the guy in the green jacket, you are on his wheel around 5:30 and I'm almost shouting "NAIL HIM...." then you should have been using that descent to your advantage and taken him, glad to see that you eventually got past though!]
Ha, I know it looks pretty crap - I was knackered and just enjoying a brief bit of free-wheeling to get my breath back (there was a short climb just before that) From 5:00 you are catching the guy in the green jacket, you are on his wheel around 5:30 and I'm almost shouting "NAIL HIM...." then you should have been using that descent to your advantage and taken him, glad to see that you eventually got past though!]Good on you Daddy Cool!
I *almost* applied for this one but went out the week before and found that all my bike fitness had run away from me over winter (I'd been jogging and using the gym so thought I'd be fine) decided to chicken out.
From your video, first of all, is the opening song from Gran Turismo or similar? I recognised it instantly but it's not my usual style so was trying to place it.
About the cycling: I only flicked through the video as I'm meant to be working and saw you mostly on fire roads and a couple of fairly easy looking twisty bits (equivalent to Blue run swinley) can you let me know the times in the video when it's on the harder bits or if this race is more about fitness than bravery ? It still looked great fun - just trying to get an idea of what to expect if I ever pull my finger out and go to one of these.
I *almost* applied for this one but went out the week before and found that all my bike fitness had run away from me over winter (I'd been jogging and using the gym so thought I'd be fine) decided to chicken out.
From your video, first of all, is the opening song from Gran Turismo or similar? I recognised it instantly but it's not my usual style so was trying to place it.
About the cycling: I only flicked through the video as I'm meant to be working and saw you mostly on fire roads and a couple of fairly easy looking twisty bits (equivalent to Blue run swinley) can you let me know the times in the video when it's on the harder bits or if this race is more about fitness than bravery ? It still looked great fun - just trying to get an idea of what to expect if I ever pull my finger out and go to one of these.
Well spotted on the song! Yes, its "Just a Day" by Feeder, and was one of the GT game's intro sequences. However, i heard it again recently on this excellent video (halfway through) filmed at Swinley - im so jealous of his skills and also his awesome dog:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uslwIp48Bw
As for the video, it gives the impression its all fireroad - in fact it was 85% singletrack. Its just that visually it was fairly seasick-inducing just weaving left and right amongst trees, and i wanted as much footage of other people as possible (even though the footage was mostly them overtaking me
)
This was only my 4th race (done Hungry Hill, Deepcut, & Windmill Hill this winter) and i'd say this was the easiest technically, with no particularly scary descents, so yes - it was more about having the legs and lungs to plough on.
You should definitely have a go at one. The "Fun Male" which i did was 2 laps - 8 miles and 1 hour in total. If you have the fitness to do Swinley Red & Blue (~12 miles) non-stop at a fair lick then you'll have no problems and should be fairly competitive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uslwIp48Bw
As for the video, it gives the impression its all fireroad - in fact it was 85% singletrack. Its just that visually it was fairly seasick-inducing just weaving left and right amongst trees, and i wanted as much footage of other people as possible (even though the footage was mostly them overtaking me
)This was only my 4th race (done Hungry Hill, Deepcut, & Windmill Hill this winter) and i'd say this was the easiest technically, with no particularly scary descents, so yes - it was more about having the legs and lungs to plough on.
You should definitely have a go at one. The "Fun Male" which i did was 2 laps - 8 miles and 1 hour in total. If you have the fitness to do Swinley Red & Blue (~12 miles) non-stop at a fair lick then you'll have no problems and should be fairly competitive.
Edited by daddy cool on Tuesday 10th February 09:31
Thanks - that video makes me want to get a dog... oh and better at riding offroad!
I have done the blue - red - blue loop without stopping but most of the time when I'm with mates, we stop for a natter/breather/wee/some other excuse at the end of each fun bit so our average speed normally works out to be about 4mph!
I'll have to start cycling more often again and get that fitness back.
I have done the blue - red - blue loop without stopping but most of the time when I'm with mates, we stop for a natter/breather/wee/some other excuse at the end of each fun bit so our average speed normally works out to be about 4mph!
I'll have to start cycling more often again and get that fitness back.
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