The Gorrick team have always had a passion for what they do, and even now after 16 years that passion is still there, strong as ever. Everyone involved is a keen mountain biker and their aim is to put on races that they’d want to ride themselves, so you can be assured of a quality experience, and as 2009 looms ever closer so does their ever popular Spring Series, now with lots of added new stuff: New Year, New Series, New Venue, New Times, New Sponsor.

Firstly, the Gorrick team are pleased to announce a joining of forces with the UK’s biggest independent cycle holiday provider – Saddle Skedaddle, who has taken on the mantle of the title sponsor for the 2009 Spring Series.

Now you can have a blast around the fun trails, pitting your skills and fitness against your peers, knowing that you might be going home with a cracking holiday thanks to the generosity of Saddle Skedaddle. Don’t worry, you don’t have to win your race, you just have to take part to stand a chance of winning one of several UK mountain bike weekend prizes up for grabs. Plus one person will scoop the special prize of a Skedaddle UK Mountain Bike Short Break – Highlands Coast to Coast, West Country Way or Lakes Classic.

“We’re keen to support Gorrick,” says Saddle Skedaddle’s Andrew Straw, “it’s an independent setup that’s been around for years and has a depth and a quality that we admire. They encourage all types of riders to try something new, which is so similar to the Saddle Skedaddle ethos, where we like customers to immerse themselves into new experiences, and just like the Gorrick we like to make it easier for people to enjoy themselves”.

Due to the popularity of the series it’s been necessary to make a few changes to the race times. Masters and Vets have their own separate race groups, meaning everything now kicks off 30 minutes earlier, plus the over 60’s are even more welcome with their own Super Vets Category.

Race times

– 9am – Youth, Juvenile & under 12’s
– 9.45am – Super Master & Masters
– 11am – Vet’s, Grand vets and NEW category – Super Vets

Dates and venues

Next up is a brief glimpse of the five cracking venues on offer, including one brand new sparkly one that hasn’t been available until now.

Round 1 – 18th January – Yateley

Yateley is noted for it’s well-established stony gravel trails, perfect all year round terrain, running through the mature pine forest. There’s not too much climbing, but what there is will really sting! For the technically minded watch out for ‘Dakota’ with some twists and turns maneuvering you through a series of natural bomb holes. Then ‘Ten Pint Run’ provides some tricky contour climbing followed by some wicked descending complete with berms before a flat out twisty blast to the finish. Oh and for those not keen to take part they can peruse the Blackbushe Sunday Market over the road!

Round 2 – 8th February – Tunnel Hill

This has become a firm favourite with everyone since it’s introduction to the series 2 years ago. Here you’ll find a mix of built and natural trails that blends seamlessly providing a fantastic flowing riding experience.

The mix of heath land and woodland terrain includes section such as ‘Abbey View’ and the infamous ‘Banana Split’ where the trailhead divides, leading you to the ‘Sleeping Soldiers’ roller coaster descent. Wicked!

Round 3 – 1st March – Crowthorne

The original venue of the very first Gorrick all those years ago and now of course firmly part of the furniture. Incorporating an uphill start but well rewarding with loads of wicked singletrack, including the ‘Corkscrew’ and the ‘Battle of Waterloo’ to name but a few sections. The first and still one of the best…

Round 4 – 29th March – Porridge Pot Hill

Set on top of the hill with tracks disappearing off in all directions, couple this with some stiff climbs and mad descents and you’ll get an idea what’s in store. Though there are also some more gentle climbs and some sweet singletrack that add to the delights of the ‘Fenceline’. Watch out for the bomb holes by the canal and of course the infamous ‘Concrete Hill’ climb, a cracking short but sharp climb on nicely ribbed tank tracks…

Round 5 -19th April – Ash Common – NEW!

After a lot of hard work, this brand new, never been used for mountain bike racing before, venue has finally been given the go ahead and promises to offer riders a totally new experience with it’s huge sections of flowing sinuous singletrack weaving effortlessly through heath land with a number of technical sections thrown in to keep you on your toes. This is a scenic course with far reaching views of all the action, great for spectating as well as competing!

As usual the series race categories are sponsored and supported by our ever-loyal band of local mountain bike shops by way of prize vouchers for each category. All rounds count, none are dropped and three points scoring rounds are needed to qualify for prizes at the final round. Entries are now open for all rounds, get those entries in now and give your New Year’s resolutions a real kick!

Gorrick’s main honcho Jon Lucas is looking forward to welcoming you all to the new series, saying: “We’re delighted to have Saddle Skedaddle on board, with their support it is sure to be the best series ever, with superb established venues, loyal support from our local mountain bike retailers and a fantastically supportive rider base who understand the thrill of the chase and be chased principal that pushes you to new levels in a way that only XC racing can do.

“We can’t wait to see you all get stuck into some of our favourite trails; we just hope you enjoy them as much as we do! Don’t forget we’ve made it easy to enter all the races with online entries that are open now, including a facility to enter all five rounds at the click of a couple of buttons.”

More info and entry forms at www.gorrick.com