With a lack of races in the last few years, the Gorrick Brass Monkeys Series overdelivered on expectations.

With races at all 3 of our favourite trail spots, it was a trilogy that the Mossa crew would relish.

Round 1

First up was the ultimate in XC MTB trails; Porridge Pots. Year round drainage, brilliantly designed singletrack and tonnes of technical sections, this venue was the perfect opener. Temperatures were around freezing but with the full gas nature of the 2 hour race, no one was ever going to get cold.

I was delighted to take the V40 win and 2nd place overall to Luke, who had me on his wheel for half the race until he turned the screw with ease.

Round 2

My truly home course, Caesars Camp. This is my church.

Another sub zero start to the day after a week of heavy rain didn’t bode well for the Caesars track. Notoriously slow to drain, unlike Tunnel Hill and PP in round 1, the Gorrick organisers did an amazing job in finding smooth running singletrack for much of the race.

Another solid Mossa turnout saw us peppering the 2 and 4 hour categories and a good start enabled me to stay away and take the V40 win.

GS Mossa TV – Brass Monkeys Round 2

Round 3

Minley is our manor. Be a Tuesday Night Shred or a gravel smash, Minley is our closest trails and I’m there at least once a week. Known for it’s rooty trails, it demands concentration and skill when it come to bike handling. Hardtailers get their bones shaken and those who are tentative on line choices get slammed to the forest floor by the roots.

Another dry but frosty start made for a fast course, Minley has probably never run so well in January. This was easily the biggest turn out for the Gorrick with circa 600 riders. All the hitters turned up for this one; Messrs Pearce, Bone, Hughes, Hopkins et al which was reflected in the leaderboards.

Paul Hopkins and I had a good ding dong for 2/3 of the race but I went pop after my third lap and then missed the fourth lap cut off by a measly 2 seconds.

2nd place to Hoppy isn’t anything to be ashamed of and it was great riding with someone of such high calibre and experience. A great bloke to boot.

V40 Podium Gorrick

Series

Despite coming 2nd at the final race, I had amassed enough points to secure the overall win in the V40 series.

It seems it’s not all bad turning 40 (3 wins and 2 second places since being welcomed into the world of veterans) but it’s only a matter of (short) time until the absolute beast that is Phil Pearce nudges into his 4th decade on earth and spoils my fun. Better may hay whilst the sun shines.

Series Win Gorrick