Mercia Report 25-10-09

In his run up to the National Hill Climb Championship David Clarke managed to ride in four hill climbs over two days. The first one was on the Saturday in Halifax. The 2 stage Pedal Sport event finishing second overall to last year's champion Matt Clinton (Mike Vaughan Cycles) who timed 10 minutes 49 seconds to Clarke's 11 34. In third place was the former champion James Dobbin (Arctic Premier RT) in 11 40

On Sunday David rode the first of the Matlock Hill climbs at Riber to finish second to Charles Taylor (South Pennine RC). It was very close though with Clarke timing 3 42.7 to Taylor's 3 41.1. Clarke then dashed over to Beeley to compete in Chesterfield Coureur's Hill climb on Beeley Moor. The longer climb was to Clarke's advantage with a winning time of 9 1.9 to Dobbin's 9 5.9. Back again to Matlock to ride the second event in the afternoon up Bank Top to finish in 4th place in 2 7.1. The winner was again in the inform Charles Taylor in 1 57.9.

Round 5 of the Notts & Derby Cyclo Cross League was promoted by Belper Bicycle Club at Alfreton Park. The highest placed of the three Waters brothers was Joshua with a fourth place in the under 12's race. Bailey finished 7th. Elliot Dudley (Sherwood Pines) was the winner. Elliot Waters did well to finish 10th after a slow start in the under 10's race. John Webster (Matlock CC) was first over the finishing line of the 50 finishers. 150 riders started the Senior race grandfather Adrian dropped out after 20 minutes when he punctured, his son Justin finished 110th. The versatile under 23 rider Tom Last (Sigma Sport) from Chellaston was the winner.

Eight Mercia HBM members were some of the 34 riders who started the South Pennine Road Club's 100 kilometre Reliability Trial which started at Willington. The morning route was through Repton & Milton to Ticknall, after the climb of Pistern hill it was downhill to Ashby then onto Measham to follow the old A453 to No Man's Heath. Where a right turn took the riders downhill through Clifton Campville, Haunton & Harlaston to Elford to cross over the River Tame to continue through Fisherwick, Whittington & Lichfield to the 50km point at Curborough. Which saw the retirement of Mark Eccleston, Richard Hunt & Peter Rose. Despite a lengthy stop due to puncture problems, the remaining five carried on through Handsacre, Hill Ridware, Abbott's Bromley to Willslock then turning right to pass through Marchington, Fauld, Tutbury, Hatton & Hilton, to finish at the Mercia Marina in Willington. Completing the reliability trial within five & a half hours were Sam Hicks, Paul Ironside, Phil Jones, Simon Parker & Ben Startin.