Mercia Report 01-11-2008

The National Hillclimb Championship promoted by Matlock Cycling Club on Bank Road hill was 1,000 yards of mainly 1 in 4, a real test of hill climbing ability & choice of gears, with most of the top riders on a single fixed gear. Lewis Cowley (Plan B RC) proved his hill climbing ability was no fluke finishing in 5th place in 2 30:2. David Clarke was 6th in 2 31.0 with another local rider Charles Taylor (South Pennine RC) 7th in 2 31.4. Other local riders who finished further down the finishing order were: Peter Turner (Derby Mercury) 3 10.9, Ann Staley (Plan B) 4 49.1 & Peter Doherty (South Pennine RC) 5 34.5.

The new champion Matt Clinton (Mike Vaughan Cycles) was in excellent form this year winning every hill climb he had entered, timing 2 24.2, Londoner Bill Bell (Gemini BC) was a close second in 2 25.4 & 3rd was a former champion Jim Henderson (Southport RC) in 2 26.5. The most unlucky rider was last year's champion James Dobbin (Arctic Premier RT) whose crank snapped on the starting line. The bike he borrowed was too small for him, resulting in him finishing a lowly 21st in 2 45.3

In round seven of the Notts & Derby Cyclo Cross League held at Bramcote Park Nottingham & organised by Beeston RC Bailey & Elliott Waters were 5th & 10th respectively in the under 10's race, won by Louis Grey-Blest of the Bulwell Outlaws CC. Joshua Waters found the flat & windy course in the under 12's race not to his liking, but he still finished in 5th place. Arthur Green (Matlock CC) was again the winner. A much improved Matt Simons finished in 56 place out of 77 finishers in the senior race. The senior's course was very hard in with three steep hills where you had to dismount & carry your bike. Ben Eedy (South Pennine RC) won this one.