October 2006 Archives
DAVID CLARKE IN “FINAL COUNTDOWN” TO THE NATIONAL HILLCLIMB CHAMPIONSHIP
The final weekend in the build up to the National Hillclimb Championship in Devon, shows David Clarke (Team Nippo KFS) has some stiff opposition, if he is going to finish in the medal positions. In the Matlock Cycling Club event on Riber Hill he was beaten by James Dobbin (Arctic Shorter Rochford R.T) after 3 years of winning the event. Dobbin timed 3:39.6 to Clarke’s 3:51.8 on the 1.2 km hill.
In the 4.81 miles hillclimb event held at Crag Vale, Mytholmroyd in Yorkshire & organised by the Yorkshire Ladies Cycling Association. David was beaten this time by Daniel Shand (West Pennine R.C) who timed 16.42.3 to Clarke’s 16.55.9.
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Posted by on Oct 30, 2006
DAVID CLARKE EXCELS IN HILL CLIMBS
David Clarke (Team Nippo KFS) is certainly packing in the hill climbs, as he prepares for the National Hill Climb Championship. His other incentive is to retain the trophy for the best overall climber in the series of hill climbs in Yorkshire, that he won last year. His total finishing positions in one weekend were first, equal first, second & fourth in four separate events. His first place was in the Drighlington B.C event timing 2:57 for the 1,000 yard climb held at Batley in West Yorkshire. The joint first was in the Home Valley Wheelers climb over 1,200 yards where he tied with James Dobbin (Arctic Shorter Rochford R.T) in 3:28 at Jackson’s Bridge near Huddersfield. In the Huddersfield Star Wheelers event held earlier in the day over the 1,540 yard climb also at Jackson’s Bridge Clarke was second in 4:26.0 to Dobbins 4:20.3. The previous day, on the 947 yard Rake climb at Ramsbottom, Clarke was 4th in 2:33.0. The winner was southerner Bill Bell (Gemini B.C) in 2:24.6.
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Posted by on Oct 30, 2006
The 40th Anniversary Year event on Sunday, 15th October 2006 brought together 70 current and former members of Mercia HBM Cycling Club and its founding clubs.
Memorabilia displays of photographs, minute books, newspaper cuttings and certificates showed the activities and faces over the years and brought back the memories. Some riders met up with riders they had not seen for years. Bob Gadsby, ex Overseal Cycling and Athletic Club said “they were the best years of my life”. Clubmate Brian Durow agreed as he recalled some of the early cycletours to the South Coast that they went on. This theme came across through each generation of new riders.
Three founder members of the club in 1965 and still current members of Mercia HBM Cycling Club jointly cut the celebration cake:
- Ken Goy - Overseal Cycling and Athletic Club
- Derek Hopper - Swadlincote Wheelers
- Richard House - Rykneld Road Club
Our Sponsor, Howard Bond of HB Management & Construction Services Limited, joined the trio for further photographs.
Posted by Ian Hill on Oct 17, 2006
The Mercia H.B.M. Cycling Club lost one of its distinguished founder members Tom Slater, just prior to the 40th anniversary celebrations, when Tom suddenly passed away while away on holiday in Kent, with his former working colleagues at Drakelow Power Station. Tom had been the club’s president for many of its forty years (Derek Hopper was president for a short spell) Tom took a special interest in timing & handicapping evening club events. He was always involved in the club’s promotions from recorder to marshalling. Tom held similar roles in his previous club the Rykneld Road Club, which helped to form in 1946. The Rykneld R.C. was a breakaway club from the Working Men’s C.C.
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Posted by on Oct 11, 2006
NOEL ADAMS WINS THE CLUB’S BEST ALL ROUNDER & DAVID CLARKE FINISHES 3RD IN A CYCLO CROSS
Noel Adams clinched the club’s BAR trophy over 25:50 & 100 miles & he also qualifies for the National BAR over 50, 100 & 12 hour when he timed 2:12:06, in the Yorkshire RC 50 mile time-trial held at Dishforth in North Yorkshire. His finishing position of seventy first out of a full field of 120 riders was a good achievement considering his lack of training miles. The winner was Michael Broadworth (Arctic Shorter Rochford R.T.) in 1:45:32.
David Clarke (Team Nippo KFS) continues to diversify in cycle racing when he finished 3rd in Heanor Clarion’s Cyclo Cross held at Shipley Park. He was only 10 seconds behind the winner Dan Alexandra (Ace R.T.) in the 6 lap race. In a recent road racing criterium in Belgium, Clarke was 8th.
Peter Rose, Press Secretary, 01283 536545.
Posted by on Oct 09, 2006
Sunday 15th October 2006, 13.00 to 18.00 at “Robirch” Sports & Social Club, Shobnall Fields.
Current and former members of Mercia Cycling Club and its founding clubs, Swadlincote Wheelers, Rykneld Road Club and Overseal Cycling and Athletic Club are invited to the 40th Anniversary re-union at the social club by the clubroom. Meet up with old friends and rivals (competitively speaking!) from 1 pm. Peruse the memorabilia and photographs and bring along your items. There will be a tea-time buffet at 5 pm.
Bookings can be made with Ian Hill or Pete Rose by 12th October at the latest. Payment is requested with booking, cheques to “Mercia Cycling Club”. Price is £3.50.
Ian Hill, 33 Wren Close, Woodville, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 7QP.
Posted by on Oct 02, 2006
RICHARD KNOTT WINS HILLCLIMB CHAMPIONSHIP & PHIL. JONES WINS THE EVENING HANDICAP TROPHY
There were seven competitors in the Annual Hillclimb Championship held on Marchington Cliff, Richard Knott was the winner by only 3 seconds. From Plan B’s Christian Aucote. The competitors times for the 1,000 yard climb were Richard Knott 2:45, Christian Aucote 2:48, Ben Eedy (South Pennine R.C.) 2:58, Simon Parker 3:14, Matt Simons 3:15, Roger Owen 3:41, & Ray Yeoman’s (South Pennine R.C.) 4:00. The Anniversary Trophy awarded to the best Mercia H.B.M. rider overall in both hillclimbing & freewheeling (held after the hillclimb) went to Simon Parker with Roger Owen second.
The rider with the most points in the evening 10 mile handicap competion (the best four events to count) was won by Phil Jones with 78 points, Adrian Waters was a close second with 75. The rest of those who qualified were Simon Parker 71, Phil Knott 68, Richard Knott 66, Keith Staley 64, Ivor James 61, Pete Rose 42, Nick Marriott & Stan Crofts 41.
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Posted by on Oct 02, 2006
