Gorrick MBC Spring Series race 3 QinetiQ

Muddy Hell!

I was really looking forward to racing at DERA (QinetiQ) on Sunday after doing two mid week night rides in the area on Tuesday and Wednesday when the singletrack trails were dry and fast, near perfect conditions infact.

I awoke on Sunday morning and looked out of the window, it soon became apparent that it had rained quite a bit during the night, doh! When I drove into the venue I was greeted by the sight of huge ocean like puddles and lots of riders milling around on very muddy machines. Also I saw the Ambulance leaving with lights and sirens blazing.

There were quite a few BOB's who had already been around the course and they were all saying the same thing, "Its bloody muddy" it was infact a sticky, gloopy, muddy hell due to the heavy rain fall the night before and despite a fair few (sensible) people opting out Berks on Bikes were well represented with lots of members donning race numbers and braving the conditions.

The course was the usual Gorrick mix of singletrack, technical sections and fast fireroad blasts and would have been a corker if it were dry. You can't blame the guys at Gorrick for a night of heavy rain and whatever trails they had used it would have been just as bad.

Notable BOBs results for the day included yours truly getting 13th in the Fun race, Tim (whippet boy) Wick with 6th in the Novices, Nigel Huckson 16th in the Masters and Helen Copeman 4th in the Ladies Novices gets a mention for being the only Bobette braving the conditions. At the end of the day everyone who took part were all winners for being brave (or stupid enough) to enter in the first place. See how everybody faired below.

Personally this was the least enjoyable race I have ever entered. I had cracking start sprinting off the start line with much verbal encouragement as I passed all the slackers gathered around the BOB caravan, then into the first muddy singletrack which was complete and utter carnage with everyone struggling to stay upright. I lost the will to race after about 10 minutes deciding it would be nice to just finish. There was far too much off the bike pushing which I found even more knackering than riding. I shouldn't moan as everyone else was in the same boat. I also completely lost my bottle getting off and walking technical sections I would normally revel in, I think that may have had something to do with the fact that 3 people had already been carted off in Ambulances. Roll on Yateley Heath, my favourite course.

Once again I would like to say a big well done to everyone who raced also everyone who came along to cheer us mad fools on. I would just say that every time I look at Gorrick results I notice names I don't recognise, all you newbies please feel free come to the caravan and introduce yourselves, the van is for all club members to use and enjoy at the races.

Full race results • Series points

Kevin Hargreaves

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