Mercia Report 18-10-09

The Waters brothers competed in the under 12's race which was part of a series of races in The National Trophy Cyclo Cross Round 2, at the Moorways Leisure Centre in Derby. Joshua finished a fine 5th beating his usual rivals William Gascoyne (Heanor Clarion) & Scott Hookaway (Sherwood CC) who finished 9th & 10th respectively. 10 year old Bailey was 14th & 8 year old Elliot was 22nd out of the 34 finishers. The winner was Thomas Mein (Hetton Hawks).

David Clarke (Pendragon Kalas) started the hill climb season with two fourth places, both in the Catford CC & Bec CC events in Surrey. The Catford hill climb was held in the morning on York's hill. Clarke timed 2 min 11.1 seconds to the winners time of 1 min 58.1 seconds. Robert Gough (Chippenham & District Wheelers) there were 72 finishers. The Bec CC hill climb was held in the afternoon on Titsey hill. The surprise winner was Michael Leonard Smith (Team Milton Keynes) in 1 46.3 to Clarke's 2 02.1. There were 75 who started & finished the hill climb.

On behalf of the Derby & District CTC Peter Rose organised a Hill climb & Free-wheeling event at the village of Atlow near Carsington Reservoir. There were seven competitors in both events. First it was the 800 yard hill climb out of the village. The fastest competitor was Peter Turner (Derby CTC) in 2 min 31 seconds followed by Ian Alexander (Derby CTC) 2 56, Andreas Baker (Derby CTC) 3 06, Ian Hill (Burton CTC) 3 13, Peter South (Alfreton CTC) 3 15, Alan Wright (Derby CTC) 3 45, & Lorraine Fairbrother (Derby CTC) 4 15. The Free-wheeling followed afterwards, halfway down the same hill the riders had climbed, to go through the village until the upwards gradient brought the riders to a halt. Alan Wright travelled the furthest on his heavy mountain bike, the others finished behind him in the following order Peter Turner, Peter South, Ian Hill, Ian Alexander, Andreas Baker & Lorraine Fairbrother.