02.06.10
We are currently working to set the website so that riders can input their own race results, also we hope to have a members only forum.

Go Ride
Ian is working with Leeds City Council to identify a safe venue in North Leeds for GO RIDE activities.

04.02.10
Saturday mornings for kids

For almost 2 months the bad weather has led to the cancellation of these rides but we are hoping for good conditions this coming Saturday, 6th February. 
Meeting point will be Eccup Moor Road, Eccup, 10am.  Ride type and duration will be decided on the day, bring off road bikes because even if the session is done on road, it will be muddy!

In the past we have varied the meeting point of the Saturday kids club, taking in Yeadon BMX track and Temple Newsam Park.  Eccup/Harewood we'll consider as our "usual" location.  We like a Mum or Dad to accompany their child and we usually stick to cycle tracks, bridal paths and quiet roads.   Please email the secretary patrick dot douglas at ntlworld dot com to be put on our weekly email list that gives details of meeting time and locations.  Usual meet time is 10am.



9th December - Monday Night Track League - Keirin Specialist Pullan
Young David Pullan seems to have been our sole representative at the ACT league through the Autumn and into the winter.  He loves the track and his results have been getting better and better.  October saw a string of second and third places in the keirin, but as the season has progressed, David's got faster and faster.  November has seen him take two fabulous wins in the keirin on successive weeks.  Not satisfied with that, he's also come second in the Devil and fourth in the scratch race.

23.09.09
Manchester velodrome club sessions confirmed

Alan Edmondson has, once again, arranged a fantastic series of track sessions, details below. 

                  The following four dates are our confirmed Velodrome bookings for the Winter season.

1. Sunday 18 October 2009       9-00 a.m. until  12-00 a.m.
 
2. Sunday 13 December 2009    9-00 a.m. until  12-00 a.m.
 
3. Sunday 10 January  2010      9-00 a.m. until   12-00 a.m.
 
4. Sunday 21 February 2010    9-00 a.m. until    12-00 a.m.
 
You will notice that we do not have a date in November. This is because there was no open date available. Samantha Kelly, the Velodrome booking secretary, has fitted our requirements as closely as other, prior, commitments allow. Track time, at the Velodrome, is at a premium, particularly for weekend morning and afternoon sessions, and I am most appreciative of the consideration she gives us.
 
                Riders needing to hire a track bike should contact the Velodrome direct on 0161 223 2244. 
 
                Each of these sessions will have three coaches in attendance, Mike Farthing, Phil Norfolk and myself. We will be at the Velodrome at 8-00 a.m. and signing-on will start at 8-30 a.m.
 
                Despite increasing costs the prices remain at £5 for 16 yrs. and under, £10 for 16+. Although I intent to limit entry to non-Mercury riders I shall work, primarily, on a first-come, first-served basis. Mike, Phil and myself have always regarded these sessions as an opportunity for our club to demonstrate that we are seeking to develop young cycling interest and also give the "mature" novice an opportunity to "ride the boards".
 
                The first session is a little over three weeks away so make your booking early on either my e-mail address alanedmonson@btinternet.com or by telephone on 0113 2587194.
 
                                                           Alan Edmondson



22.07.09. Club clothing has arrived!!!

A separate email will be sent to all club members to advise, so get ready to pick up your brand new Mercury kit.  All items sold at cost price.  We have ordered plenty of spare jerseys across the range from age 6/7, upwards to the biggest adult.

13.07.09 Ailsa Stainthorpe wins U16 Regional Track Championship

Perhaps inspired by David's recent championship win, Ailsa Stainthorpe produced an outstanding performance to win the Yorkshire regional grass track championships.  The event, decided in an omnium format, got off to a great start for the Selby based Mercury lass when she won the time trial  in 20.76s.  She followed this up with a second place in both the pursuit and scratch race, winning the event on countback to her fabulous TT time.  Congratulations to Ailsa from us all.

David Pullan wins U12 championship

In a thrilling race held at the Richard Dunn circuit, David Pullan broke away with 9 laps to go in the British Schools Cycling Association Yorkshire and Northern region U12 circuit racing championships.  He managed to  hold off the field to take a fabulous, well deserved win.  Congratulations David, we love having champions in the club!!

25.06.09 Mercury youngsters in dominant form at Roundhay

Some fabulous results from all of our young under 16 riders at Rounday Park grass track, monday nights, have put Leeds Mercury in the driving seat for these fun filled evenings.  All the young Mercury riders have produced some great rides and have helped us to surpass last year's total wins for the club. Well done all. 

Meanwhile, former track and league Yorkshire Champion, Neil Stainthorpe, has made a great return to competition, after an absence of around 20 years.  He's had some good placings but is still searching for that first win.

More details on the great West Riding revival at http://www.cycleroundhay.co.uk/index.cfm?page=1

17.05.09.  Assistance needed for Yorkshire Road Championships

The Regional Board is promoting the Regional Road Race Championships on 31 May 2009 on the Denby Dale course with the race HQ at Penistone Grammar School.  An additional 15 marshals are needed to assist on the day between 9am and 2.30pm. Please consider whether you can volunteer.  Please contact Jason Metcalfe: telephone 01484 432043
mobile 07912 221092
email Jason@hanson-cs.co.uk for further details or with offers of help. Your assistance is much appreciated.

11.05.09 West Riding (Roundhay) Track league opens on a high for young Mercury racers

A fabulous night of racing and a hatful of wins and placings for the Mercury saw a successful start to the WRTL for 2009. For a full write up please click here http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/tra/EventReports2009/20090511_Roundhay_Grass_Track.asp

10.05.09 David Pullan takes first national medal

After many years of trying, David Pullan gained his first national medal when he came a brilliant second in the BSCA National Circuit race championships.  Very many congratulations to David and here's hoping it will be the first of many national medals.

10.05.09. Mercury duo complete Lands End Epic

Paddy & Graeme both sucessfully completed the ride and have helped to raise over £100k for the Help for Heroes Charity.  The ride was extremely tough with many 12-14 hour days.  Fortunately there was a following wind nearly all the way that made life a bit easier!  People were extremely generous giving both money, food and hospitality.  More details at www.helpforheroesride.co.uk where donations can still be made.  Some fabulous pictures of the ride by our professional photographer, Ian, one of the support crew at www.nowpix.co.uk  

Mercury men in Lands End to John O'Groats Epic

Paddy Douglas and Graeme Collin are two of eight riders about to ride the End to End.  Starting on Sunday 3rd May they will ride around 150 miles per day and take a week to cover the 1020 miles.  Sticking mainly to lanes and country roads, they are hoping that the weather gods will be with them.  The ride will raise money for the Help for Heroes charity.  For further information and to make a donation please click on www.helpforheroesride.co.uk Any sponsorship will be greatly appreciated.  

MRTL 03.04.09 A brace for the Mercury

After a bit of a disappointing night last week for the club, young Ned Richards took the group 1 devil race apart to make a convincing victory.  Saving his energy until the crucial moment the Leeds lad, having ridden a great tactical race, accelerated away with 2 laps to go to convincingly beat the opposition.  In the very next race, the group 2 devil, Paddy Douglas tried to emulate his young clubmate and, despite falling short, managed to take a very good second place.  In the group 2 course des primes Iona Sewell showed that she had lost none of her speed after last week's great road ride, by taking one of the laps.  Meanwhile, Paddy bided his time, and came round a tiring opposition to take the penultimate and final lap, giving him enough points to take the overall victory, the race having been run off at 28.5mph.  Finally, Ned showed that he had plenty of racing still in him as he rode a tireless points race and took a great second. 

Iona Sewell third overall in Women's Tour of Malta 27-30 March 2009

Iona delighted her Yorkshire based fan club when she rode to a superb 3rd overall in the Tour of Malta over the weekend.  Fifth in the prologue time trial and two solid thirds in the subsequent road stages led her to consolidate her overall position.  The event was dominated by the North Holland girls but Iona was denied the opportunity to challenge them as the final road stage was neutralised.  Great riding from Iona meant that she also held off the challenge from a well organised Ulster squad.  Riding for  womens team, Squadra Donne, Iona led the team filling three of the top ten places and taking second in the team competition.  A great ride by Iona and many congratulations from us all!!

MRTL 27.03.09 - Leeds lads ride great but nothing for the Mercury!

A very quiet night tonight for the lads in red and white stripes, but try as they might, both Ned and Paddy failed to get in the placings. Meanwhile there was a great win for Dave Stevens in the group 3 points race and a superb win for Luke Simpson when he broke away in the group 2 devil.  Ian Shapiro, our mate from Stockport,  took a greta win in the group 2 points race.

MRTL 20.03.09 - Ned Richards blasts the Devil, Douglas takes the Kilo, Leeds contingent in the crowd!

There must be something about the Mercury and the devil race, because we nearly always do well in it.  This time, young Ned Richards, coming back to form after a rib injury rode a great group 1 devil to take a fabulous win.  The race stayed together for a while as each unfortunate victim was eliminated out of the back.  With about 9 riders remaining, new Chevin Cycles rider, Phil Thompson, made a massive attack and opened a very useful 80 yard gap which he held for a couple of laps.  It seemed that the Ned was the only one who had the legs to react as he jumped away from the disintegrating bunch, with the big gap ahead of him to close.  Committed to his task it took the Mercury lad a couple of laps but he made it up to Thompson's wheel.  Very sensibly, Ned decided to take some shelter on Thompson's wheel after making his big effort, but this only lasted for half a lap as the bell sounded for the final lap.  Ned jumped round the tiring Thompson, pulled a great gap and comfortably cruised over the line for a fabulous victory.  

Big Damion Clark easily took the heat in the 500m sprint, rising to the top of the track and blasting off with a lap and a half to go, averaging a very fast 30.331mph for the 500m.  In the final he tried a repeat of the tactic but the other lads were wise to it and a well fought battle resulted in a solid second place for the big fella.

After missing a week, Paddy Douglas was back, but every time he tried to get a sprint in the group 2 points race, he was found to be lacking speed.  Coming into the 1 kilometer bunch race he positioned himself near the front for the first lap.  Soon after, the young Luke Simpson put in an attack and Douglas was able to get on his wheel, running second in line, with the bunch strung out behind.  Luke held the lead until a lap and a half to go when Douglas accelerated past.  Coming into the final lap Douglas tried to keep his pace going but was almost sure that he would be swamped by the faster riders down the back straight.  No one went past him before the final bend and, to his utter surprise, he managed to hold everyone off, taking a totally unexpected victory.

Iona Sewell had been moved up a group and seemed to slot right in group 2 with no problems, in fact other than for a slight error she surely would have made the top 3 in the Devil.  She will miss next week as she will be racing the women's tour of Malta.

 

MRTL 13.03.09 - IONA MOVES UP TO 3rd OVERALL

On Friday 13th, a day which some find unlucky, if definitely wasn’t for Iona as she moved up to 3rd overall.  She  took 2 great victories and a second placing in group 1, taking the 16 lap points race, the scratch race and second in the devil. As well as that Iona raced the next day in Milton Keynes in a national womens circuit race and came 11th, some fabulously consistent riding by the Mercury lass. 

Phil Norfolk battled his way to a deserved 3rd in the devil and Toby Mountain got a 3rd in the points race. Former Mercury man Seb Horner won the 500 metres scratch and got 2 second placings, but one of them was taken off him as he undertook some on the cote d’azur and got disqualified! Overall it was a great night for the Mercury crew!
 
MRTL 06.03.09. More success for the  Mercury
A first and a second for Iona and Toby in the group 1 points and a second and third for Iona and Phil in the Devil. Toby 1 lap in the course des primes, Douglas draws a blank and drops to 9th overall. - Full report to follow 

Mercury's Angel beats the Devil - Plus, veteran rider takes one of each MRTL 27.02.09

A few short weeks ago Iona Sewell struggled in the Devil, not really seeming motivated to try hard to avoid being eliminated.  However she's shown a vast improvement, including at least one good placing, and she finally beat the rest in a stunning Leeds Mercury first and second in the group 1 race.  Some fine riding by Iona and her team-mate Phil Norfolk kept the duo at or near the front for most of the race.  With a couple of laps to go, the selfless Phil ensured that Iona got a perfect run at the finish, whilst Phil himself held off a fast finishing rider to clinch a great second.  Leeds Mercury first and second on the scoreboard, brilliant!

Earlier Iona found herself towards the front of the group 1 unknown distance when the bell went and held on to take a solid third.

Elsewhere Paddy Douglas' luck seemed to be in tonight as he took a fabulous string of results.  Firstly he scored well in the points race to take a very solid second.  In the group 2 20 lap scratch he spent most of the time in the group following the wheels until an opening presented itself with 6 laps to go.  He moved up the field to run around 6th place with four to go.  As the front riders tired and pulled up the track, the wiley Douglas made his move with a lap to go, led out the bunch sprint, and managed to hold everyone off to score a surprising, but for Douglas delightful, victory.  Finally in the Devil, probably his favourite race, he rode another solid event to take third place

 

Steady Saturdays! 

We are thinking about starting a ride for the less fit rider on a Saturday morning.  The rides will be at the speed of the slowest rider and may take around 2 hours.  No rider will get left behind.  We've already had a number of enquiries and hope to start early March.  Meet around 10am, location to be decided. 

 
Leeds Mercury Manchester Velodrome session 22.02.09.
Sunday saw the final spring session for the club, with plenty of experienced riders and a significant number of novices.  We also welcomed a number of "Dirt Wheels" riders, a new bike shop in Otley.  Only one or two minor spills today with veteran rider Neil Stainthorpe coming away with some torn clothing and a few grazes.  Former Airedale Olympic strongman, Ian Taylor, riding the track for the first time commented that he really enjoyed it.  Everyone had fun and we'd like to thank Alan and Pat Edmondson, coaches Mike Farthing and Phil Norfolk, for once again putting on a most enjoyable session. 
 
 
 
MRTL 20.02.09.
Iona scores in the Devil
Tonight was a lot better than last week as there were no crashes, despite some dodgy riding, especially in group 2.  A third of the evening had gone before our first placing when Paddy Douglas rode a decent Devil to take second place.  In the group 3 race that followed, Martin Cleminson and Dave Stevens were place second and third respectively.  Second claimer Seb Horner took a third in the group 2 1km race.  Best rides of the night for the Mercury were from Iona Sewell and Phil Norfolk, who toook a great second and third in the group 1 Devil.  Phil using his positioning experience and improving speed, whilst Iona used a new found confidence for the Devil, proving to all that she is just as competitive in this race as she is in the points race.
 
MRTL Friday the 13th!!!
From the sublime to the ridiculous!
A fine win for Ned
It was almost a dreamlike start to the night as all the Mercury riders were on the winning sides in the group 1 and 2 team pursuits, top marks to everyone.  Luke Simpson was also keen to point out that group 2 scorched round their 10 laps in 2min 58seconds, giving a 31mph average, faster than group 3 and even group 4!  The easiest points of the night went to Ned Richards, who had a puncture problem, and missed out on the team pursuit.  However his name was on the winning side and therefore he got 2 points!  Ker-ching!
Next up in the group 1 points race, Iona was riding with her usual positive style takng a number of sprints and placings.  However new racer, Ian Shapiro from Stockport Clarion, was hot on her heels and overhauled her for the win, Iona settling for a good second.
Then it all started to go "Friday the 13th"
The group 2 Devil had Damion Clark and Paddy Douglas, both riding well.  With about 8 riders left Douglas was on the front and Damion not far behind in the line.  Suddenly there was a touch of wheels and a young female rider cannoned into the unfortunate Damion, causing a big crash.  The race was neutralised for ages whilst the injured were attended to and the mangled bikes were untangled.  Damion came away with multiple grazes all over his left side, as well as a totally wrecked back wheel.  The neutralised group eventually restarted and Douglas didn't make the cut into the last three, the pattern of the race being changed by the crash.
Pride for the Mercury was restored in the next race when Ned rode a fabulous group 1 Devil, attacked in the last couple of laps, and held off the chasers to record a very fine win.
Douglas, still angry from missing out on a placing in the Devil, set out to get something from the points race.  Some great lead outs and chases by Luke kept Douglas in with a chance and he eventually took a solid second overall.
This author is not particularly superstitious about Friday the 13th but after tonight's crashes he's reconsidering!    
 
MRTL 06.02.09 - Douglas Dominates Devil
Another very busy night with 5 groups of 25-30 riders!  After a quiet start Mercury got their act together in the group 1 Devil.  Toby and Iona rode a great race and made it to the last four, unluckily Toby being the last man to be eliminated, leaving Iona to take a solid third place.  Iona showed again in the group 1 unknown distance by taking another third place.  Next up, Paddy Douglas rode a great group 2 devil and made it to the last 3 and was able to comfortably outsprint the others to take his first win of the year.  Finally he wrapped up second place in the group 2 course des primes.  Not a bad result for a 51 year old, eh Luke?  (Paddy's actually 45 years old but Luke reckons he looks over 50!)
 
MRTL 23.01.09 - Toby breaks into the points
New rider Toby Mountain showed that he's not lacking speed as he shot away in the group 1 course des primes to win the first two laps.  Ned Richards kept the Mercury show going by taking the following two laps!  Great job lads!  Elsewhere Paddy Douglas used his tactical ability and his limited fitness to carve out a solid third in the group 2 Devil, a 20 plus lap race that burnt round in 29.2mph!  Meanwhile Ned Richards showed his continuing improvement by taking a great second in the group 1 Devil.  Finally Big Damion Clark was back, and a superb lead out from Douglas in the group 2 scratch helped Damion take a great second place. 
 
Club clothing - 28.01.08
Members should have received an email about ordering club clothing, please contact the secretary if you haven't received a message.  In brief, clothing order to be submitted by 14th February.
 
Leeds Mercury Manchester Velodrome club Winter booking  -  Sunday 22nd February 3-5pm
Following our previous very successful club Autumn track sessions, we are delighted to announce the next session. 
Costs will be around £10 adults and £5 children.  Please contact Alan at alanedmondson@btinternet.com or phone 01132587194 to make your reservation.  Please note that these sessions are also open to friends of the club.  This is a great opportunity for new riders to be taught how to safely ride on the famous Manchester track.  Also great for experienced riders to gain some extra practice.
 
Manchester Regional Track League, First Division 16th Jan 2009 - Iona again!
The first session of the spring series got off to a really fast start when Phil Norfolk shot away from the group 1 bunch with 2 laps to go in scratch race.  Looking good for the win, Phil was cruelly overtaken just before the line by a fast finishing Luke Simpson of Leeds St Chris.  In the next event Paddy Douglas scorched the first couple of laps in the group 2 Course des Primes to take 2 laps, only to fall back when his lack of fitness caught up with his brain!  Later in the night Iona Sewell showed her dominance in the points race by, once again, picking up plenty of laps and placings for a convincing overall win.  Meantime Herschel Stevens (Triangle) won the group 2 devil whilst "new rider", Dave Stevens (Triangle), Herschel's dad showed the way with a win in both the points and the scratch race.  Most gutted rider of the night was Ned Richards, who was a no show, as he'd forgotten to enter!
 
MRTL 12.12.08
Damion turns on the style
The final meeting of the Manchester Regional Track League saw a great set of results from the Leeds Lads & Lasses with friends Seb Horner and Herschel Stevens both getting in the places, but they're not in our club, so that's enough about them!
First up, Iona Sewell came a solid third in the group 1 scratch race, she would later follow this up with an excellent second place in the points race, only missing out on the win by a yard!  Next up Paddy Douglas just about killed himself (again) to get third in the points race, following this up with another third in the scratch race. 
Young Ned Richards was up next in the Devil, a race for which he shows a great aptitude.  Cruelly incorrectly disqualified (whilst at the front) last week, he was looking for revenge on the judges and rode a great tactical race, eventually coming a great second.
There was a rumour going round the track that Damion was willing to bet £100 he would win the group 2 kilo.  There were no takers and it was no surprise as he powered his way into the final lap, really high up the track, came round everyone and won easily, burning off Seb in his wake!!  Awesome win!
A "head up" for young Toby Mountain racing in only his third or fourth session.  Finding his feet in group 1 he was third in the first sprint and looks good to improve when the new year's league begins.
Well done to all the Mercury riders in the Autumn track league.
 
 
Leeds Mercury velodrome sessions - 07.12.08
The final club track session was held today.  The club would like to thank Alan & Pat Edmondson for organising the event, plus coaches Mike Farthing and Phil Norfolk, as well as Alan again, for doing such a great job over the 3 autumn sessions.  Today's turnout was massive and all the riders really enjoyed it.  There were riders from age 6 to 60.  Everyone got plenty of riding and the newcomers were taught how to progress their way up the track, many of them looking like old hands by the time they had finished.  Great job everyone!!  
 
MRTL 05.12.08
Leeds lads dominate
A good night tonight for Leeds but unfortunately it wasn't the Mercury getting all the wins.  Fast lad Luke Simpson from Leeds St Christophers took 2 wins, group 1 points and 1km scratch, meanwhile Herschel Stevens took a great second in the group 2 points race.  Mercury second claimer Seb Horner took another win in the group 2 1 km race.  Full Mercury riders scored too with Iona doing another great ride in the group 1 points to take third.  Alistair took a second in the Group 1 1km scratch.  Top marks to young Ned Richards for his first ever placing at the track taking a great third in the same race.  Paddy Douglas managed another third place, this time in the group 2 scratch. 
 
Leeds Mercury Velodrome final Autumn booking this Sunday 7th December
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Costs will be around £10 adults and £5 children.  Please contact Alan at alanedmondson@btinternet.com or phone 01132587194 to make your reservation.  Please note that these sessions are also open to friends of the club.
 
MRTL 28.11.08
Placings, placings
No wins tonight for full Mercury members but Damion took the group 2 course des primes apart by taking 4 consecutive laps.  Later Alistair broke away in the group 1 devil and managed to hold on to the last lap taking a very creditable third.  Next up, Paddy just about killed himself in the points race to take third place overall.  Finally, former Mercury man, Seb Horner, who drifted over to the darkside a few weeks ago by joining Obree Coaching (who are they?) led out the group 2 kilometer scratch race and managed to hold on for his first ever track win.  He remains a second claim member!  STOP PRESS - Just advised that Alistair was also second in the group 2 scratch!
 
MRTL 21.11.08
MORE SUCCESS FOR ALISTAIR
Highlight of the night was an outstanding win in the group 1, 16 lap scratch race by Alistair Cameron.  Following his first win last week the determined Scot was out to prove it was no fluke and he stormed to the front of the race, opening a 50 yard gap with 2 and a half laps to go.  Most spectators thought he had gone to early but he managed to hold off a strong surge from the bunch to take a fabulous win.  Elsewhere a great lead out by Damion allowed Paddy Douglas to take third in the group 2 scrtach, whilst Iona fought out a tough group 1 points rac to take third overall. 
 
MRTL 14.11.08
TRIPLE SUCCESS FOR THE MERCURY!!
Tonight was the club's best night of the Autumn series with Alistair Cameron taking his first win and Iona Sewell scoring a fantastic double.  Alistair's win came in the Devil take the hindmost elimination race, where he managed to stay out of trouble in the first half of the event when team mate Richard Sewell took up the pace setting on the front.  Alistair moved towards the front and got right on Richard's wheel with about 6 laps to go.  From this point on it looked like the Mercury duo would get something from the race, and so it transpired, with Alistair taking the verdict from a tiring Richard.  First and second -great job.
 
Iona looked like she meant business in the Points race where she won a number of sprints.  The bunch split up both Iona and her father were in a break of about 4 riders.  A perfect situation upon which Iona capitalised.  Meanwhile Alistair and Phil Norfolk did a great job in the bunch at controlling any pursuit of the break. The race came together towards the end but Iona finished with a fabulous sprint to win the race comfortably with 10 points, Richard coming second and Alistair a solid 4th.
 
Clearly Iona had plenty of energy left as the last few laps of the scratch race unfolded, she got into a great position and managed to outsprint the bunch to take her second victory of the night.
 
Elsewhere there was a third place for Patrick Douglas in the Devil, where he did loads of work on the front, and a good second place for Damion in the 1km scratch 
 
 
08.11.08
Manchester Regional Track League Wrap up - 3 wins so far!
The Friday night burn up has been back for 4 sessions so far.  Week 1 on 10th October saw Leeds Mercury veteran Richard Sewell ride a perfect Devil race for a well deserved win.   The following week, Ewan decided to keep the wins in the family, a brilliant lead out by Paddy Douglas took Ewan to the front with one lap to go in the scratch race.  Ewan did a fantastic job to hold off the sprinters to record a great win.  Richard decided to keep some more points in the family and grabbed a great second and third in the 1km scratch and Course des Primes respectively.
On 24th October Iona Sewell was up in the 200m flying start, an event most other people don't really like doing, and recorded a fast 14.472s or 30.913mph!
We hadn't seem him for a year or so but big Damion was back and trounced the opposition in the 1km scratch to record his first win of the Autumn.  Finally on 7th November, even bigger Phil Norfolk grabbed his first place of the Autumn with a well calculated 3rd place in the Devil.
 
08.11.08 
Leeds Mercury's Manchester Velodrome track sessions
The club held it's first session this Autumn a few weeks ago and everyone agrees it was a fantastic morning.  Many thanks to Alan for organising it and to Mike Farthing and Phil Norfolk for being such brilliant coaches!
These are great sessions for first timers as not only will you be amongst friends but the coaches are Mercury members too.  You don't even need your own track bike as they can be hired on the day. Remaining dates are as follows:
                           
                                Sunday November 16th. 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
                                Sunday December 7th. 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Costs will be around £10 adults and £5 children.  Please contact Alan at alanedmondson@btinternet.com or phone 01132587194 to make your reservation.  Please note that these sessions are also open to friends of the club.
 
7th September  - David Pullan is a champion!!
The club is delighted to announce that young David has won the British Schools Cycling Association U12's Yorkshire and North Regional Hill Climb Championships at Oakworth today . He did a pb of 1 min 56 for his first ride up, this being the fastest time of the day, then did a 1 min 58 for his second go. He richly deserved this win after a string of top placings in BSCA and other events.  Congratulations from us all
 
7th August - We're on Youtube!! 
Well only just!  Chevin Cycles have a very good promo video on Youtube. There's a clip of racing action from Manchester Velodrome and at least one Mercury rider gets a second or so of coverage.  The webmaster thinks that it's him but would like a second opinion!  See the action here, about halfway through http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU-mMeSaiAc
 
7th August - John Oldridge in Lands End to John O'Groats epic
Many of you will know our good friend, John Oldridge, from the Airedale Olympic.  I've just found out that he is aiming to do this marathon ride in 7 days, covering around 140 miles per day RIGHT NOW!!.  He's raising money for MacMillan Cancer Support.  More details about the ride http://www.justgiving.com/JohnOldridge  Good luck John!
 
30.07.08 - TLI Series update
Some fabulously consistent placings, as well as his win, leaves Callum Sewell as top Junior and  4th overall with one event to go. See http://www.yorkshiretliseries.net/  for more details
 
Ex Iron Man Triathlete Seb Horner taking on the Sprinters
In the same series, Seb is proving his power by winning a hotly contested prime lap, as well as taking 2 thirds in the primes.  All to play for with one event left. 
 
Iona Sewell is top woman rider
More good news from the series is that Iona is the best female rider in the bunch.  Good luck to everyone with the final event to come.
 
   
   
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