Classic in name and classic in nature, this was the last outing of the Gorrick series, the aptly named Autumn Classic which took riders back to the venue used in the very beginning of this popular series, Crowthorne.

Here, 16 year ago, it all started. Since that time the organisers of this popular series have gone from strength to strength providing some of the best fun you can have off-road and to prove this riders came from near and far to have a crack at a ‘classic’ Gorrick, which included masses of singletrack and more twists and turns than an episode of your favourite soap opera.

Although the day itself was grey and damp it didn’t put off nearly 500 eager competitors, who turned up to get to grips with the 4.5 mile course which included such favorites as the infamous ‘Corkscrew’ and the formidable ‘Battle of Waterloo’, made all the more fun by heavy rains the previous day which brought to life more than one puddle of doom and made the going extra tough and the roots extra slippery.

The youngsters were first to be put through their paces and the first to encounter the soggy terrain but undeterred they put everything into the challenge. Sam Shepherd in the under 12’s managed to out ride his rivals and took the win leaving Dad Darren a lot to live up to in his impending race in the Super Masters. However he didn’t quite match his son’s outcome and after a tough 4 lap battle Shepherd no.2 had to settle for 3rd spot behind winner Scott Forbes, who’d led from the gun, forging a fast path through some pretty sticky gloop.

The biggest field of the day was the Open men’s and even the wicked uphill start didn’t put off over a 100 riders who lined up to take part. Alex Darby was victorious after 3 long laps, with Aidan Bishop picking up 2nd 84secs later, while the previous year’s winner Lewis King had to fight it out for 3rd with Daniel Bryant; King took it by a whisker.

With every category closely fought throughout the day the climax and probably toughest battle had to be the 5 lap tussle between expert riders Mark Hutt and Luke Smith, with each rider attacking and counter attacking trying to find that elusive gap. Throughout the race the lead constantly evolved and was only decided in the closing stages as Smith managed to eek a small margin that he took to the line to take the win, with Hutt trailing in a disappointed 5secs later.

In amongst the days racing was a little race within a race, as BOB’s (Berks On Bikes) competed in their annual 1 lap sprint handicap. The trails were awash with riders in the bright yellow livery and this year the honours went to Richard Kendal, with young whippersnapper and youth winner earlier in the day Steven James picking up 3rd.

Unluckiest but pluckiest man of the day had to be sports rider Richard McDowell. Whilst Alexander King was fighting out the top position with James Williams, McDowell had his own challenge when a broken seat tube on the opening lap made his race extra hard. But not to be defeated by a broken bike he fought on to pick up a creditable 15th spot. I guess a new bike is now on his wish list for Christmas.

Louise Bardley, winner of the women’s Open race, and Maxine Gilby victor in the women’s sport race were just two from a strong showing of ladies in various categories, battling it out around the Crowthorne trails, smiles emerging from under all the mud.

So, as the races came to an end the course was awash with some rare autumnal glow, which set the scene alight and reflected the fire within all the competitors who’d come along to find out what Gorricks were all about. They were handsomely rewarded as even the sticky gloop had finally subsided, leaving the riders with a warm and positive glow as they finished their respective races.

Now thoughts are turning to the start of the next series, which returns in January with some new and of course some established sponsors but with plenty of classic Gorrick action. For more details on the 2009 Spring Series go to:
www.gorrick.com.

Full results can be seen at www.timelaps.co.uk