Winter - Norwood Paragon

BLAH! OFF-ROAD
Mountain biking with Tchaikovsky
By Phil Earl
Gorrick Spring Series round 1 or doing the nutcracker
It might only be January, but for some
the racing season has already begun.
Determined this year to complete the
Gorrick Spring Series (five races), I
headed off for the season opener at
Crowthorne woods in
Berkshire. Accompanying
me was prospective new
member (when he gets
his membership form!)
Nick Ffoulkes. For those
of you who don't know
him Nick is a former
member of Surrey Roads
CC as well as an
accomplished triathlete
and runner. He is also an
experienced mountain
biker, being one of the
regular Wednesday night
riders. Nick had been
persuaded to race by my partner in
crime Dave Mascall, who had to drop
out at the last minute with a heavy
cold much to Nick's disgust!
After the traditional warm up lap/
course recce, we both took up position
on the starting grid. We'd both decided
that it was too early in the year to wear
shorts, so kept our legs covered up,
unlike many of the competitors
(personally I would have been
embarrassed to show off my hairy
legs. Now I know why girls have their
legs waxed!) Nick, racing with the
veterans would start two minutes after
me. Having ridden regularly with Nick,
I realised that my main goal would be
to avoid being caught by him early on!
I started without any problems, unlike
the rider in front of me who pulled
both feet out of his pedals, causing me
to swerve violently to avoid wedging
my wheel up his backside. Obviously
there isn't much room when 39 riders
Frightening the wildlife and disturbing the peace
are moving and after quick bounce off
the rider on my left I was off. Last
time I did that in a Surrey League race
I took out three riders, but fortunately
he stayed upright. Following the initial
lung bursting start (sprint) the race
split and I found myself in the
company of three others. Great I
thought, finally a race where I'm not
stuck in between groups. However, a
mile later the leading two successfully
knocked each other off trying to take
the same line down a drop off.
Somehow I managed to bunny hop
over them and continue, leaving them
sprawled in the mud. Then on the next
climb the last guy snapped his chain,
so there I was, riding alone again!
Crowthorne is noted for its twisty
singletrack and short steep climbs,
steep enough to bring some riders to a
complete halt before falling off
(always good entertainment!). I
managed to crash in the same spot for
two of the three laps, a
notorious section known
as the corkscrew. If
you're sadistic this is a
great place to spectate,
because it's prime crash
country! Very slippery,
with hidden roots, deep
drop offs, and lots of
loose dirt; great fun to
ride though if you can
stay upright!
Nick managed to catch
me halfway through my
second lap and was riding
very strongly, having
chosen to ride a singlespeed bike. Like
me he managed to crash in the same
spot but only once, almost neutering
himself on his stem! (hence the title –
maybe some foam padding or a box
for next time?).
Nick finished his three laps in a
time of 1 hour 15 minutes, showing
his potential with an excellent 11th
place from 54 riders. I finished a little
further back in 1 hour 23 minutes
earning me 20th place from 39
starters.
The next race is in three weeks
time at Heath Warren. Hopefully more
of us will be available to ride what is
usually an excellent course, with the
odd north shore section.
I'll even share my coffee!
www.norwoodparagon.co.uk
7
Blah! Winter 2005