Mercia Report 21-06-09

Gary Brown was under the hour for the first time this year when he competed in the Sherwood Cycling Club's 25 mile evening time trial at Long Bennington in Lincolnshire, timing 59 01 and finishing 64th out of 113 riders. Richard O'Rourke (Flitch Crono) was the fastest rider in 50 27.

David Clarke (Pendragon Kalas) set up a new fast time on the hilly Anslow circuit in the Mercia HBM CC 10 mile evening time trial. Conditions were ideal on a warm windless evening timing 22 minutes 25 seconds. 2nd fastest Patrick Heron (Plan B) was over 2 min slower in 24 29. Daniel Partington, also Plan B, was 3rd fastest in 24 41. Next was the first Mercia HBM rider Keith Staley in 25 00. Followed by Jack Hugill 25 17, Jeff Slinn 26 22, Neil Sleigh (Plan B) 26 49, Jeff Lea 26 59, Mark Eccleston 27 18, Ben Startin 27 23, Andrew Wendle 27 54, Phil Jones 28 00, Mick Abbott 28 57, Tony Marlow 29 23, Adrian Waters 29 32, Kieron Patterson 29 56, Andy Burton 30 00, Colin Johnson 30 36, Ivor James 30 38 & Peter Rose 32 52.

Three Mercia HBM members on their mountain bikes competed in the Bike Radar Live events held at Donnington Park. Mark Ward & Colin Johnson were part of the 4 man “Boys from the County of Hell” Team who finished 5th in the 12 hour Endurance event. Andrew Wendle chose to ride the 100mile White Peak Sportive which went via the Manifold Valley, Ashbourne & Carsington. He finished in 25th place in 7 hrs 7 minutes over 200 riders started the sportive.

In the third set of races for young riders organised by Lichfield City Cycling Club at the Curborough sprint circuit the Waters' brothers finished as follows in their age groups: In the under 8's Elliott was 2nd overall in the time trial & 2 circuit races. Bailey was 4th overall in the under 10's & Joshua was 6th overall in the under 12's.

The Burton & District Cycling Alliance 100 mile time trial organised by Mercia HBM's Roger Owen, plus eight other members who were marshalling & looking after the result board, was won by Sean Childs of the Royal Navy & Marines Cycling Association in 3hrs 37 minutes 18 seconds in dry & warm conditions on the Etwall, Doveridge, Uttoxeter & Rocester course. Charles Taylor (South Pennine RC) was 3rd fastest of the 120 riders who entered the time trial timing 3 42 08 to win the Don Miller Trophy as the fastest BDCA rider. Jim Hopper (Derby Mercury RC) timed 4 56 41 on his tricycle. Unfortunately Anne Staley (Plan B RT) had to retire at 90 miles when she was feeling unwell, until then she was on a personal best & would have won the fastest lady prize.