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Since joining the Supernova Cycles race team, time and work have conspired to prevent me racing. With the Gorrick 100 Enduro race switching to one of my favourite venues, Porridgepot Hill, Frimley I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to go racing.

The format is a 10mile cross country loop with the rider choosing beforehand the distance they want to race with a maximum of 7 laps. Having not raced the 4 or 7 lap before I wisely choose 4 laps. Now for bike choice?!?! I’m have in my procession a new stead thanks to the wonderful staff at Supernova Cycles. I’ve always dreamed of owning a Tom Ritchey bike but like many of us they were way out of my budget as a young rider, that and the fact I ride 29” wheels. Fortunately Tom saw sense and produced a 29er version in classic colours that I now lovingly own.

Suspension, 1x9 set up and shod in fast rolling yet grippy as hell Swalble Racing Ralf tyres I took to the start line. At this point I should advise all racers that chasing your friends cycling KOM’s on Strava and running a 18:09 5km PB at Newbury Parkrun are not the best preparation for a 40mile MTB Race.

Still I find myself on the start line, looking around I’m the only racer out of 80 on a steel hard tail and better still wearing baggy shorts. The starters horns sounds and off we go, I get a reasonable good start but then notice my handlebars are loose, I blame the mechanic (me!!). I have a multi tool in my pocket but also in the feed zone at the end of the lap. To stop now would allow the whole field to pass me by, to carry on would scratch my new Ritchey bars. Yep no brainer I stop, quick pit stop and I’m off and chasing.

The next 20miles fly by as I attack the singletrack catching and passing riders, the course is riding like a dream with a 90/10% mix of singletrack to fireroad sections taking in all the best the area has to offer. At the start of the 3rd lap I start to get the feeling I may have gone off to fast, about a mile later the anchor goes out the back door. From now on it's a battle between body and mind. Body wins just and I cross the line in 19th place in a time of 3hrs41mins03secs. Plenty of work to get back to my best but it starts here.

I can’t fault the bike at all, such netural handing inspires confidence and I could point the bike anywhere I wanted without complaint, tyres held up well in the loose condition running 28/26 psi. He/she also received such positive comments from the riders, lets hope the shop get s a visit from a few customers from all the Supernova stickers weighing it down ;)

I also couldn’t help smiling in the end after all the baggy shorts comments, little did they know I was wearing lycra underneath for extra protection.

Beer o’clock now

Lee