Pedal Power - Gorrick Kawasaki 100 Enduro Challenge

People with long(ish) memories may just recall that, in the UK, Kawasaki once sold a range of mountain bikes. These were not £99 specials with questionable brakes and clunky gears. These were high quality bikes for the enthusiast who knew their Shimano from their Campagnolo.

The link between Kawasaki and mountain bikes has been reinvigorated in the past few years as KMUK sponsors the Gorrick 100 mountain bike endure each Spring. And with the General Manager of Kawasaki in the UK entered among the hopefuls, the chance to take to two wheels powered by muscle alone was embraced by a full field of entrants.

The Kawasaki display at the Gorrick 100

With riders having a choice of 7, 5, 4, 3, 2 or just1 lap of a classic 10 mile enduro course, the terrain was fun, but challenging as it wound its way through Windmill Hill and the surrounding land, with single track sections aplenty.

Every rider who completed their challenge could look forward to a finisher’s medal and, for the more driven, a range of trophies and prizes including some special items donated by Kawasaki.

  

Whatever distance entrants chose to ride the Kawasaki Enduro is always a challenge. It can be just as tough for the one lap newcomers as for the crazy seven lappers completing 70 miles off road.

Either way, to finish is very rewarding after one or many 10 mile laps of glorious fun trails into the Windmill and Porridgepot Hills near Deepcut in Surrey.

Howard Dale completed his two laps

For the spectators there was more to see and do besides watching the competitors with a display of Kawasaki motorcycles and representation from off-roader supreme, Mick Extance along with bikes from his Kawasaki supported off-road motorcycle experience.

For some very lucky riders, Kawasaki was proud to present British Super Bike Tickets and a day at the Mick Extance Experience.

Amanda Brooks - a seven lap hero

Two such winners were Tim Dunford riding for Team Mountain Trax Vauxhall Motors who blitzed the seven laps in just 5hrs 17m, and Amanda Brooks (Freeborn Cycles / Hansgrohe) completing in 6hrs 31m.

Tim Dunford rode 70 miles off road

As for Kawasaki’s Howard Dale, he opted for the two lapper completing 20 miles off-road in 2hrs 20m. Speaking afterwards he praised the organisers and hoped that the profile of the Gorrick club had been further enhanced.

"So many people who ride motorcycles either competitively or for leisure also ride mountain bikes as a hobby. With so much state of the art technology now in bicycles the attraction is clear. We hope everyone enjoyed the Gorrick event and seeing our road and off-road motorcycles on display. We hope that Tim and Amanda enjoy their prizes”.