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Sponsorship Form for August 2010 - click here
Preparations are well under way for the MDR race at Pandy on the 27th June. We expect to get a 5 mile lap with some going not used before. Start and finish will be in the usual place.
Don't forget Club members need to book in before June 20th to guarantee their ride. Non Club members need to send their entry form complete with payment to reach us no later than 23rd June.
See you all there.
All at MDR
MERCIAN DIRT RIDERS
Charity Fund raising
This years fundraising event will be held at our August 29th event at Penpergwym.
As you all know, each year we raise money for a different charity, last year we raised over £6000 for Help for Hero’s in the memory of Richard Hunt who was the 200th to die in Afghanistan, he was also the brother to one of the marshals in our club, Fiona Hunt.
This year we have decided to help the lads and lasses again and raise money for the Richard Hunt Foundation- Welsh Warrior ( www.welshwarrior.co.uk ) which has been set up by the Hunt family to help the Welsh soldiers or those serving in Welsh regiments with physical injuries or those who suffer from PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). They also aim to help these brave Welsh men and women get back into the normality of life after leaving the forces.
The long term goal of the Charity is to incorporate outdoor activities into their rehabilitation, at a centre based at the home farm of Richard Hunt in Abergavenny.
We hope to have the same amount of support as last year if not better it.
We would like to wish you all the best in your charitable efforts and to encourage as many as possible to take part.
More details to follow nearer the event
Thank you and Happy Biking!
Off-road racers pitch in for Help for Heroes
Motorcycle enduro racers raised almost £6,000 in one day for injured servicemen.
Riders and organisers of the final Mercian Dirt Riders race of 2009 presented a cheque to Help for Heroes for £5,803.24.
The club was moved to run the race in memory of Private Richard Hunt, 21, who died after an explosion in Afghanistan last year.
Riders gathered sponsorship and the club held a raffle at the 3 hour, hare and hounds race at Aberbeeg on November 15. Help for Heroes was chosen as the beneficiary by Pte Hunt's parents Hazel and Phillip, and sister Fiona, who continue to be great supporters of the club. Club members gathered with Pte Hunt's family and Help for Heroes Gloucestershire Volunteer Diana McCrea after Christmas to make the presentation.
Once again we have arrived at the end of a cracking event, everyone at Mercian Dirt Riders wanted to finish the season with a bang and what a great end to the season it was.
The course turned out to be a little bit harder than planned but despite the weather being terrible on Saturday the marshals put up a good course that was challenging but rideable. The plan to run the event as a fundraiser for Help for Heroes turned out to be a good idea and everybody put in a huge effort to raise funds for a noble charity, we are indebted to those that worked hard to raise large amounts of cash in the present economic climate. (Just over £4000.00 so far) Although the fancy dress was not well attended the three riders that did get involved made a fantastic effort and Scooby Doo aka Mathew Norton needs a medal just for carrying that heavy costume around all day. Many riders made a huge effort just to finish and several said that they were spurred on by Hazel Hunt's words at the start.
The club wishes to give a big thank you to all of the people that turned up at the event to help out as it was not easy in the bad weather on Saturday, and also it was a race against time to get everything cleared up by the time it got dark on Sunday but everything was done perfectly. The Hero of the event award has to go to one person only and that person was one of the first to turn up on Saturday morning and work tirelessly all day in the wind and the rain knocking in posts and putting up tape until it got too dark keeping everybody's spirits up with a smile when everybody else was ready to give up, then camping in the back of a van sat night so that they could get up early Sunday morning to continue helping out. That person stayed to the bitter end Marshalling then helping to take down the course and clearing up in the dark. On the way home the same person commented on what a cracking time they had had and could not wait till the next time. This person was 16 year old Fi Hunt.
Looking forward to next year
Phill, Gail, and all at Mercian Dirt Riders.
See www.all-sport-photos.com for great professional pictures from our H4H event
A few of our own pictures from 15th November
Click here for report on our 29 February event from Enduro News
Me and several other mates from the Forest Club rode the Mercian's round 1 at Aberbeeg on Sunday, and would just like to say on behalf of me and everybody else what a great day it was the track was set out excellently and suitable for all abilities and it was kept running for the whole 3 hrs without any mishaps, it was great to ride an 8 mile course that was so good, fair play they really now how to set a good course, the new bits that were added where also good, when we first heard that you had lost the woods we thought it was going to be a bit easy but it wasn't it was still quite demanding and some people said it was better than last time, I really think the track is best ran that way round, not in reverse cause the hill climbs by the start and finish are awesome, I had a great start and a good battle with leader and winner Gareth Hopkins, I didn't get bored at all the whole race it just got better and better, plenty off overtaking places as well, all the marshals done a great job of keeping everything going, by the half way mark I pulled a good lead on 3rd place and 4th and eased off a bit and enjoyed it, saw Colin there taking some pics which can be seen on www.wgdfmcc.org.uk and a report also on www.enduronews.com I will try and contest every round for the Mercian Club and I know all my mates are too. Can't wait till the next one, just like to say again many thanks to Gail, Phil, Glen, Dave and all others for all there hard work great event.
Steve B
MERCIAN DIRT RIDERS
PRACTICE DAY
SUNDAY 1ST FEBRUARY
25 members of Mercian Dirt Riders braved the cold and the snow for the practice day at Pandy on 1st Feb the weather improved and there was even a hint of sunshine at one point. International rider Greg Evans turned up to offer tips and advice to the riders throughout the day helped by expert riders Andrew Knapman, Steve Biddle, Phill Gardner and Jason Bennett.
The format was a 3 hour session starting with Greg Evans offering advice on bike prep and tyre changing followed with a practice session with Greg and the others giving riders advice on various obstacles on the 2 km course.
Everyone had a great time and all riders left with a smile on their face knowing that they had learnt something new.
Due to the success of the event Mercian Dirt Riders are planning to hold a similar event in the near future.
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