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I’ve got the bug for this XC racing lark after doing 2 of the Gorrick winter series races. Probably the best rides I’ve done this winter.
(Luckily I missed the horrendous muddy race as I was on a week long altitude training camp/ski holiday).
So there are 2 Gorrick spring series races in feb and march, southern xc has 4 races, one a month starting in march (I can make 3 of these).
What else is there? Hopefully not too distant from Berkshire?
Central XC had two rounds cancelled last Lear, website is teasing a “return in 2023”
South west XC, looks like there some future events on roots and rain, not much on the website.
I’ll update this thread with my pathetic performances throughout the year, so those of you with too much free time can see if I improve.
Depending on how long you want to race for / are willing to divide the efforts with others, there’s also various dirty Nocka races at Cannock Chase, and the Pivot 24/7 is on with various formats.
There’s also London Beastway (hard to get to) and a Near to Hadleigh / Southend series that I can’t remember the name of. The Marathon series has two more to go also.
What about southernXC? Surely that’s your nearest regional series?
Southerns are in there already. They seem the most obviously organised of the regional series.
Thanks for giving me some more names to look for kryton. My strengths (or least weakness) seems to lie in the shorter form - so basically xco
My strengths (or least weakness) seems to lie in the shorter form – so basically xco
I’m the opposite, so it’s going to be a “fun” year rediscovering XCO.
There is an XC race in Dorset this month, nice little 4.5 mile mainly singletrack course.
Pippingford 9th July xc marathon, East Sussex. Various different categories and distances. Bit of drive for you though.
Pippingford 9th July xc marathon
I'd forgotten about that. I'm in for that one, I love that course.
Good thread. Wondered if there'd be an annual XC thread, there has been previous.
Interested as, for the first time, I'm giving it a go too. I'm up North so it's looking like the Crank It series mainly, although they do move around a bit. Sherwood Pines on 12th March is my first. Expecting to spend an hour and a half hating myself and trying to breath through my skin, not much else!
There's also a national in Bradford coming up in Spring but that would make it my second race, maybe a bit too much!
Wight Mountain are putting on a 2 race series at the IOW MTB centre 26th Feb and 16th April.
Will be a short, fun course, I expect, with amazing views.
Great to see a very enthusiastic XC thread.
I'm involved in some way with quite a few of the events across the south so thought I'd offer a quick summary of the bits I know.
Sadly the Central XC series isn;t happening this year, thanks for the nod about the website - I'll give the organiser a nudge about changing it.
SouthernXC is looking in great shape with loads of entries flooding in - lots of info on their website https://southernxc.co.uk/
The team behind the SouthernXC are also hosting a round of the National XC Series - more information about that at https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/278393/British-Cycling-2023-National-Cross-Country-Series-Round-3
Off Camber XC at Blanford Forum is on 26th Feb and have already broken their previous entry record so it's looking like it'll be a busy race, the course there is great fun. Info at https://my.raceresult.com/230592/
Keep an eye on both the Facobook pages for Scotty Chalmers Cycling ( https://www.facebook.com/ScottyChalmersCycling1) and Andy Smith Events ( https://www.facebook.com/andysmithevents) as they both have plans for XC racing in the Summer
The Vittoria MTB Marathon is now part of the TrailX Weekender on 8/9 July that includes the TraileMTB Challenge and will also have short course racing for Youth riders - loads of info at https://eventrexuk.com/trailxweekender
Please feel free to leave any questions here and I'll help where I can
Hi Adam, two questions please:
a) will the Vittoria Marathon have camping overnight of the 8th/9th?
b) you the categories don’t have anything less than 17yo and over. Is there nothing younger? My son is 14 and more than capable of the 20k
Thanks for all the info!
Camping is available for Fri, Sat and Sun nights and can be booked when paying for entries, it's £10 per night per pitch and includes showers.
BC's safe guarding regs don't allow us to open the 20k loop to U16's, while there is a good handful of young riders who can complete 20km and enjoy it there are many more who can't or wouldn't enjoy it - however we realised that past runnings of the event could have been even better if there was something for young riders to do, so new for 2023 is the addition of Youth short track XC, the format is being worked on but it will be on the Saturday morning, information will be confirmed and publicised by the end of Feb
I'm going to have a dabble this year, some local stuff (Manchester Midweek Madness), some regional stuff (the local Crank-is) and some of the more national stuff. Mainly so the eldest can go to the Crank-it U12 training / coaching events they hold at each national and their own series too.
I'm also going to do the 6hr Dirty Knocka again, a couple of marathons and hopefully Mayhem 24hr, if it happens.
Adam, thank you! Junior loves an away weekend and we'll do this instead of 24/12 this year. Saturday morning gives him the opportunity to pit crew for me on the Sunday 🙂
6hr Dirty Knocka again
See you there Steve, 3H for me as I've moved to XCO this year, so this is just an extended training hit - plus unblocking Cannock as a nemesis for me.
Mainly so the eldest can go to the Crank-it U12 training / coaching events they hold at each national and their own series too.
Love this, the coaching at Nationals has been well received
Junior loves an away weekend and we’ll do this instead of 24/12 this year. Saturday morning gives him the opportunity to pit crew for me on the Sunday
Brilliant, see you both in the summer
Heartily recommend the Vittoria Marathon at Pip Park. One of the best looped marathon courses I've ridden anywhere, if not one of the best courses period.
Having dipped a toe at the Gorrick Halloween XC classic, i am very keen to do some more.
I did it on my trail bike, which wasnt the best tool for the job. So am contemplating getting a pure XC 'race' bike.
Whats everyone riding? I like the look of the Orbea Alma or the BMC Two-stroke. I wouldnt mind a Yeti ARC, but think its more trail than XC.
@v7fmp Just going through the same thing - my gravel bike is on the way out and being replaced by a 'proper' XC race style bike which I've never had before.
I did a stack of research and you'll see theres quite some difference in geometry between brands.
The Orbea Alma's do look fab, but the Geo and fitment seemed quite old school.
Specializd Epic/Chisel, The Trek options, and some of the others, a bit longer and lower. The BMC looks great but hard to get hold of, Cannondale Scalpel is the one that really stands out in terms of modern Geo, good weights and excellent specs for the price, the other being the 2023 Scott Scale - this is what I really wanted, but the ETA is 'no idea, maybe next year) and thus I've bought a 2023 Scale Frameset, which is arrinving any day, and will build it up myself with some mid-range spares and bits and bobs from the garage.
Total overkill, un-neccesary and an extravagance but I've always wanted one so this is the year!
Check the specs and prices carefully, the big one for me is some of the bikes (Specialized I@m looking at you) have some very basic and low-end forks on some of their hardtails.
hey @snotrag , cheers for that. I did notice that some components seemed a little 'low rent' for the price of the bikes. I will take a look at some of your suggestions. I look forward to seeing pics of the Scale!
Its hard to gauge with regards on how much to spend. It could be a few races and not for me (unlikely) or it could be the next bike thing that consumers every waking moment of my life 😛
I reckon the Scalpel is the one to go for really buying a full bike, particularly the HT4. Shimano 12 speed, SID fork, and a really really nice frame with some good numbers.
Digresssing...
Crank-it races - has anyone done them? I'm in for Sherwood Pines 12th March, I thought it would be ideal for me as I know the woods well, presumaby as least some of the course might be familiar, and no huge hills.
I'm in Sport and have no idea what to expect or how I'll compare. Its going to be an early start though, as I'll want to do a warm-up/sighting lap and the race starts at 9.30!
Interested in anything going on further north. Most of the people I'm racing with are considering the Scottish XC races as they are closer than the British ones. But, you probably all thought that when the National Marathon was up the road from me in Kielder in 2022.
I've entered the Dirty Knocka - 6hr solo. Should be a good test in advance of the Dirty Reiver.
Yorkshire Mtb Marathon (couldn't do it last year as it clashed with the Glentress 7). They claim it isn't a race but it is.
Keeping my eye out for other things but it's a bit thin on the ground around Newcastle. Talk of trying to pull together some XCO events. We were going to go down to Hamsterley at some point to scout options. There might be an NEXC league if there is enough organiser enthusiasm.
Ooh..that pippingford 80km race looks a cracker… gonna enter that..
however,
for me..is it worth entering the ‘proper big boi champs race’ - bearing in mind I’ll have to buy a race licence.. or just go for the normal race?
It’s a bit of a shame they are seen as different races as it might thin out the field in either…i like racing at the pointy end, which there might NOT be in the general race so much…. But also don’t take things deadly seriously (I’ll be on a singlespeed..probably forked for this)…
Hmm…
thoughts…
DrP
@jonba ditto.
Edit, apologies -
The first national round is in Skipton, that might not be too far for you, and theres a sport cat I might have a go at.
The Yorkshire MTB Marathon is a great ride, I really enjoy it for some reason. The guys put together some good bits of trail in the private wooded areas..
It is 100% a race too... The 'winner' last time I was there was obscenely fast.
There is also the 'Hammers 8' which is another of these marahton/enduracne type rides, I've not done but may have a bash this year. September I think.
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">The Crank it races are all South of Leeds-ish where I am so theres a gap definitely in the North of England for some proper short course XC racing (as opposed ot the longer endurance/trail bike type rides). </span>
I ride a Sniper XC & it is a hell of a lot fun. Great geo for XC & just about the right amount of travel too. I am considering the Sniper Trail as on occasion (when not racing) 100mm can run out on you (the Trail has 120mm).
Crank-it races – has anyone done them? I’m in for Sherwood Pines 12th March, I thought it would be ideal for me as I know the woods well, presumaby as least some of the course might be familiar, and no huge hills.
Yeah they're well ran, but there's been a strange decision to lump vets in with expert / elite and call beginners sport for some reason.
See you there Steve, 3H for me as I’ve moved to XCO this year, so this is just an extended training hit – plus unblocking Cannock as a nemesis for me.
I'm adopting my usual do everything program, nothing too serious, I even managed a CX race at the weekend and came 15th V45 and 24th overall Vet, so can't complain about that one!
Bike wise for that chap up there, can you not get your hands on a 2022 Scale, they're bloody brilliant.
@<span class="bbp-author-name">mrlebowski </span>
cool, i will take a look. I'm probably going to start a new thread to discuss my bike brain farts, rather than clog this one
NE XCMTB are looking at doing something this year
I have no details - juts saw their FB post
Excellent, I've given that a follow.
Slightly off topic but you all might be interested in the Call of a Life Time series on youtube if you haven't seen it.
Six races, 3 MTB & 3 Gravel, in a Grand Prix series.
https://www.youtube.com/@LifeTimeGrandPrix
Slightly off topic but you all might be interested in the Call of a Life Time series on youtube if you haven’t seen it.
Six races, 3 MTB & 3 Gravel, in a Grand Prix series.
I have been watching this.... i think thats whats sparked my interest in doing more XC stuff (along with my Gorrick experience), it is a good watch.
for me..is it worth entering the ‘proper big boi champs race’ – bearing in mind I’ll have to buy a race licence.. or just go for the normal race?
It’s a bit of a shame they are seen as different races as it might thin out the field in either…i like racing at the pointy end, which there might NOT be in the general race so much…. But also don’t take things deadly seriously (I’ll be on a singlespeed..probably forked for this)…
Yep, this is a shame. The reason for the two races is because strictly speaking UK rider without a license or riders with a license from another country's federation aren't allowed to ride in a Championship event, this applied to all disciplines - but given the size of the course and the length we have asked for a bit of leeway here and are hopeful the both races will start together and we'll be able to show a combined result, as well as the champs, non-champs results. I'll try to keep the thread updated.
Interestingly the entries so far show good interest in the non-champs races with approximately one 3rd of entrants so far registered to it
cheers for that Adam... "given the size of the course and the length we have asked for a bit of leeway here and are hopeful the both races will start together and we’ll be able to show a combined result, as well as the champs, non-champs results. I’ll try to keep the thread updated." sounds a sensible approach TBH...
i think for sake of monies, I'll enter the non-champs race (as i don't accumulate BC race points anyway!)
DrP
EDIT - just entered!!!
OP and @kryton57
<< Near to Hadleigh / Southend series that I can’t remember the name of>>
This might be the Travers Bikes series https://www.traversbikes.com/datestimings.html excellent set of races and a really friendly bunch.
Full disclosure: I did a couple a few years back and got my a**e handed to me, but still brilliant fun.
@drP Thanks for the entry!
Just had a confirming chat with BC and they have approved 'Non Chaps' races for Men and Women will start along with the respective gender Champs races. Champs contestants will be lined up first and then Non Champs immediately behind them, and everyone will start on the same whistle.
We will amend the website and schedule to reflect this but it'll probably be 10:00 start for all men and then 10:15 start for all women.
schweet...gives me a crowd to weave my way though at 1001 😉
DrP
Who's in for the Gorrick spring series this Sunday?
Open Man for me.
(I see there is also a SWXC near Exeter for those down that way)
Yep, I’m in for the gorrick spring series on Sunday - vet + for this old man… Really looking forward to it! Pink Epic in Redhill cc kit if anyone see me, please say hi!
The Gorrick guys have been busy over at Highlands Farm (Area 51) this week clearing the trails and reshaping some things (I think).
Yes, that's our team at our home venue prepping for tomorrow's Spring XC. This year, besides the Brass Monkeys and the XC Classic races, we're also running the Tour de Gorrick 1, a day ride in June, perfect for mates riding together, which will use our extensive local knowledge and past experience to link up local singletrack. Otherwise our usual Autumn/Winter events will take place before TORQ in your Sleep returns with a bang at Minley 😉 in 2024.
Well that was a lot of fun! 9th place vet + for me. Each lap within 5 seconds of the last - consistency that I can hardly believe 🤣. Perfect conditions on a great course. Stiff legs now!
Serious race face there bigdaddy.
In an attempt to start racing again I have now entered the Southern XC Round 1. This is followed by Battle on the Beach. Beyond that nothing is in the plan though I have aspirations of all the Southerns and some of the Nationals.
I've actually started to train again properly, following my old plans and adjusting to fit around family life. My back is fixed, my neck is fixed, my asthmas is under control, fingers crossed.....
My local evening series is back on in May.
https://my.raceresult.com/234099/registration
I'll be keeping up the rear as I did last year.
Managed top half, which was my aim.
Think I pretty much had someone in sight ahead and/or behind me the entire time. Which was quite a motivator.
Well done all, thought yesterday how good the weather must have been for the event.
Read this with interest as I don't think I have the body or equipment to do such a race but see that there's a fun category to get some experience.
Serious race face there bigdaddy.
And the undeniable evidence of not staying on my bike for the whole race! A lap 1 front wheel washout... Well done @ayjaydoubleyou and @villageidiotdan the next one is in two weeks time, just come and have a go, it's great fun...
<And the undeniable evidence of not staying on my bike for the whole race>
I thought was roost from you carving all the turns
@ernie Ha, not seen me ride then!!!! Good to hear that you're body is fixed and you're looking at racing again. I'm looking at some of the Southern xc ones, but some are a bit far for me...
Nice to see everyone in the mix. I'll be at the first Southern XC, you all will be a bit more match fit than me. I've two more hard 9hr Build weeks, a weekend off for my Birthday, another 9hr hard week then a taper week.
I'm expecting to have that "holy ****" look on my face during the first lap 😀
there’s a fun category to get some experience.
You can always just enter the fun category and pootle around to see what its all about, the Gorrick courses are usually quite good.
Natrix junior was on the podium on Sunday (proud dad content)
Glad to see the fields at Gorrick races so busy, it's getting to be like 'back in the day'!
If any of you are planning to race at Inside Park near Blanford Forum this weekend at the Off Camber Cycles XC race and were hoping to enter on the day it's not going to be possible. Due to more riders than expected preregistering the organiser has decided not to offer on the days. Details for the race are at https://my.raceresult.com/230592 and the pre entry closes at midnight on Thursday
I'll be there doing the chip timing so come and say hi, also feel free to ask any Q's about the Vittoria MTB Marathon or the TrailX eMTB Challenge while you're there.
Good luck
Took the tribe down to the Cannock Winter Classic on Sunday and it was a bloody lovey sunny if freezing cold day, as usual they ran a bit behind schedule.
The youngest went in the Rogues race, which really should be badged as U8 (to keep it a bit fairer for the little ones) and he did really well being only 6 to come in 11th placed after losing a fight with a bramble bush on the way out of the bomb holes.
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Next up the middle one went in the Storms race so effectively U10 and not being the most technically gifted little monster he got back and I asked him if he enjoyed it and he said "there was a massive climb that nearly killed me" turns out they took them down the B line descent from the National course up over the hump and then the draggy single track climb up to the arena!! He did really well to end up 11th too..
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The eldest went in the Sabers (U12) 30 minute long race which was 3 laps of at least half the adult / full course and he was got a good start, towards the end of the 2nd lap as they came into the arena he was in 6th about 30m behind the lead group, he then put in a proper effort and got up into the lead group and sat on for a bit, when they came into the arena for the finish two had got off the front and he was in a group of 4 heading into the finish straight and won the sprint taking 3rd by around 5 seconds! Turns out the winner was 14, the lad who was 2nd was 12 and my lad is 10 so the podium pic looks a bit funny!! After the sprint he proceeded to puke over his top tube and down his leg, so maximum effort was achieved!
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Me, I went in the end of the day, not expecting much as I haven't really raced since the Summer Classic last year and only one CX race this winter, haven't done any interval training and pretty much just ridden my bike for a bit this winter but strangely I went faster than I did in the Summer Classic, felt like it took less effort and scored a better finish of 28th in Enthusiast class, so if anyone has any ideas what's going on it would be most appreciated.
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Glad to see the fields at Gorrick races so busy, it’s getting to be like ‘back in the day’!
I'd been under the impression numbers were creeping back up too..
I popped over to the IOW for the 1st rd of the new WightMountain XC series. They put together a cracking course using the MTB centre trails which was short(ish - around 12 mins) and a mix of nice flowing technical descents and some punchy climbs. I'd post some pics if I could link to Instagram.
Being in such a compact space it meant that spectators could move around and heckle in different spots, which was really nice.
Finished 5th and 2nd in the Vet 50's. The WightMountain train was strong!
Next one's on April 16th. Would recommend if you're within striking distance of the south coast. They're offering 50% discounts on the ferries, which makes things a bit easier.
@villageidiotdan the next one is in two weeks time, just come and have a go, it’s great fun…
Cheers Bigdaddy. II'm still keen but front forks are bust. Saying that, i've clearly been riding them like that xc in Morzine so may just strap them back together and have a go. I sold my car so am reliant on my wife thinking it's a good idea mind you! 🙂
@steve_b77 Great story, I'm sure you dont need telling how lucky you are to have a full gang or racers to go with!
I’d been under the impression numbers were creeping back up too..
#makeXCgreatagain
I sort of lightheartedly predicted this a few years ago, with enduro becoming more "multi stage downhill" rather than "competitive trail riding on average trail bikes" and XC courses and bikes becoming more technical and capable...
Plus the rise of ebikes...
At some point soon the normal trailbike will coincide with pro xc race bikes (probably road about where "downcountry" is at the moment) and anyone still motorless through choice rather than budget will have at least a passing interest in fitness and regardless in their interest or not in pinning on a number, they will naturally gravitate towards the shorter travel, lighter more efficient bikes. And then XC becomes (once again) competitve riding on average trail bikes.
At least thats my hope, from someone who is too much of a wimp to be good at enduro, and too heavy to be good at road riding.
Back on topic, entered the next Gorrick this coming sunday. Eyeing up Southern Rd 1 the week after.
Agreed, great write up! I used to have a family crew, a long time ago, now I’m on my tod with it! Reminds me to book for the gorrick on Sunday…
What happened to xcracer.com?
Seems to have died around 2019.
Great write ups. So, what tyres for Matterly Basin…
I've got to go to Matterley this week to drop some stuff off for the first round of the SouthernXC so I'll have a look around and see what it's like. The surface there is usually pretty reliable and weather proof but the top layer can get slippy. I've never known deep mud there and it does drain very well. Typically something like a Barzo on the front the same or something a bit quicker on the back.
Thanks Adam, I'm wondering whether getting away with a Mezcal might be in order with the dry/cold weather of late. I will await your report.... 🙂
Thunderburts for Matterly!
Reminds me to book for the gorrick on Sunday…
Weathers looking good for it 🙂
FYI Gorrick have a new event up - Easter XC Classic 2/4/23 at Highlands Farm..
Nice little vid from GS Mossa about the last Gorrick round.
new event up – Easter XC Classic
Oooh, thanks for that I hadn't seen it. Gorrick need a new calendar i think, they're describing this weekends race as a Halloween classic............
God that hurt.
Thought I had a good (appropriate for my ability, as I’m starting to recognise people now) start. Held on with a group for a bit, we all got a nice little recovery behind someone who probably started too quick. Then people seemed to ride off and leave me pedalling in custard.
Final lap, was holding off/keeping pace with the guy behind for a while, then he passed me on the final big climb and upped the power. Must have got 50 metres clear in 10 seconds. That broke me mentally and as there was nobody else in sight I pretty much soft pedalled to the finish.
Still fun, but a bit demoralising when I don’t know what I did differently to be significantly worse compared with 2 weeks ago.
Still there’s a bonus extra race in April and I’m going to give the southerns a go.
God that hurt
Ha Ha well done. I’m enjoying yet at the same time in trepidation reading this thread. Having not raced XCO for three years I’m pretty sure I’ll be shoring up the back of GV next week. With a weekend off I have my prep ready in my head, just three sessions this week - short and sharp of course - with one being a Zwift race on Wednesday to try to prepare me for a god awful shock…. 😂
Looking at the forecast the Forkasters will be staying on, a change of tyres now won’t help me.
Well done @ayjaydoubleyou, I find this course always deceptively brutal at times. Its on the pedals all the time with little recovery. Mid field for me today in the grand vets, no legs today. Good to see aload of the very younger generation racing today. Xc racing is not dead.
I enjoyed it too, bloody freezing though! The course there is so full on, no rest, but great fun. Finished 7th in vet + so happy with that - a pretty lonely race for me for most of it, it’s hard to keep the pace up on your own!
this course always deceptively brutal at times
yep, checked Strava compared to 2 weeks ago, this one has more climbing, which was the opposite of what I thought. I guess there was no point where we climbed from the bottom to the top in one go without a little down in between which made it seem like less.
Definitely very little let up, and
Very few places to take a drink and I always seemed to have someone right behind me.
Kryton57
Full Member
Thanks Adam, I’m wondering whether getting away with a Mezcal might be in order with the dry/cold weather of late. I will await your report…. 🙂
Sorry I'm late with this. I was at Matterley on Friday and it was super dry with the top layer being a bit crumbley and will probably get quite loose, however since I was there is a rained a little with more showers forecast so while I very much doubt it will get at all muddy it will probably be a slippier - if you like the reassurance of grip stick a barzo or similar on the front, if you're happy to risk it a bit in the name of speed go for something like a mezcal front and rear - just don't don't blame me if it's a bit challenging...
The organisers have stuck a video up on they're Facebook page with a weather update.
SouthernXC Facebook Video
Thanks Adam!
I'm not sure if it's XC, maybe marathon, but it might not even be a race. Anyway... Looks like the Hamsterley Beast Will be returning - in May. Details on their facebook page.
NEXC now has a league up. I know we (Reifen Racing) are still looking at adding an event at Hamsterley - we wanted to do something a bit harder and more fun than Kirkley which we ran last year - no one wanted to spend days strimming the grass again either.