Mercia Report 11-10-2015

Anne Staley organised the Mercia Cycling Club’s 30 mile time trial on the Etwall, Doveridge, Uttoxeter Course. Weather conditions were quite good, with a light wind but a bit on the cool side. There was a good entry of 73 riders including 6 from the Mercia. Jason Seabridge was the fastest in 1 03 39 to finish in 12th place overall. The next 3 Mercia riders finished within seconds of each other in 32nd , 33rd & 34th places. Ben Startin timed 1 08 11, Jack Hugill 1 08 19 and Robert Gower 1 08 21 in his first 30 mile time trial. Tony Marlow timed 1 12 29 (only 5 seconds off a personal best). Christopher Toon (son of John Toon who raced in Burton’s Rykneld Road Club) was pleased with his time 1 17 33, in his first time trial. The winner of the event was Steve Irwin ( North Lancs Road Club) in 57 46 (over 3 minutes faster than the 2nd placed rider ).

Nigel Finch’s latest Hill Climb was the Whithington Wheelers 600 meters Peaslow Hill near Chapel en Le Frith. The gradient of the hill was 15% at the start, then flattened out, to then steepen up again to 15% to the the finish. Nigel timed 4minutes 09.2 seconds. 26 riders entered the hill climb. The winner was former National Hill Climb Champion Jim Henderson (Southport Cycling Club) in 2 minutes 30.6 seconds. Nigel’s next hill climb will be the Rutland Wheelers one on Mam Nick near Edale.

The 5th Round of the West Midlands Cyclo Cross League was held at the Tackeroo Camp Site on Cannock Chase near Rugeley. Christian Aucote finished in 10th place in the Senior and Junior race over 1 hour. James Allan finished in 44th place. The winner was Harry Yates (Hargroves Cycles) who won both Senior and Junior categories. Robert Mangham finished in 73rd place in the men’s over 40 race won by Stephen Knight (Team Jewson- M.I. Racing – Polypipe).