Mercia Report 06-12-08

It was a very cold, foggy & muddy day at Stockley Park near Chesterfield for the eleventh round of the Notts & Derby Cyclo Cross League organised by the Bolsover & District Cycling Club. The under 10's race was held on a narrow course with lots of bottlenecks. Elliot Waters starting at the back of the field due to his age but rode well to finish 22nd out of 31 starters, his elder brother Bailey did not start due to a heavy cold. Scott Hookaway (Sherwood CC) was again the winner.

The course for the under12's was much more ridable with Joshua finishing 5th just behind the rider finishing 4th There was another strong ride by the top girl Charlotte Broughton, (Leicester Off Road Club) beaten in the sprint on the finishing line by Arthur Green (Matlock CC).

Elliot & Joshua's father Justin raced in the Seniors event on a very muddy course with 15 riders retiring mainly due to mechanical problems due to the mud clogging up chains & gears. Justin finished in 79th position out of 88 finishes. Ben Eedy(South Pennine RC)was the winner.

The Mercia HBM Cycling Club held it's 42nd Annual General Meeting at the Shobnall Sports & Social Club. 2008 had been another active year on the organising front with the popular series of evening time trials. a Reliability Trial & a Audax Trial both over 100 kilometres, two open 25 mile time trials & the highlight of the year the cyclo cross at the National Forest Centre at Rosliston which had 280 riders competing in the 5 races.

The officials for 2009 are: President & Social Secretary Ian Hill, Chairman Les Lowe, Vice Chairman & Press Officer Peter Rose, Secretary & Treasurer Tony Marlow, Racing Secretary Keith Staley, Touring Secretary Simon Parker, Committee Members Wally Pasley, Ken Goy, Keith Lee, Nick Marriott & Roger Owen.