Season Opener for Youth Riders
This weekend sees the start of a long season for the club’s youth riders, especially those with aspirations for selection on the National team for the Youth Olympics from 21st –28th July. Tommy Evans, the National Talent Identification Officer has drawn up a comprehensive and demanding criteria for selection for this event. For example, not only has he pointed out that there will be four selection road race events but there will also be two time trials in each region
For the Ulster riders the first of these will take place on Sunday at Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone, over a five mile course. Afterwards the young riders will have a further training session under the watchful eye of Evans.
The second time trial will be held at the Birches Portadown Co Armagh on Tuesday 10th April . This race will use the same course as last year’s Ulster Time Trial Championships, where our own Stuart Henry took the bronze medal . Sign on for this event will be at 6.30pm on the Maghery Road.
The distance for the road races has been increased this year to close on forty miles, to replicate the distances the team will compete over in Serbia. This is a huge step up for these young riders who normally compete over distances of twenty-five miles.
After the selection events in March and April a six-man squad will be chosen to race in Belgium and only after that will the team for Serbia be finalized. Certainly a daunting start to the year for the young riders who will have to also have to devote time to their GCSE studies.
Armagh- Downpatrick St. Patrick’s Classic
On Sunday Ulster Cycle Promotions Club – supported by Down District Council, are running the 3rd edition of the popular point-to-point –Armagh-Downpatrick St. Patrick’s Classic. The event starts at 12.45 pm in Cathedral Road Recreational Site in Armagh. The race will roll out from Armagh City, along to Hamiltonsbawn, to Tandragree, across to Scarva, Gilford, Banbridge, Castlewellan, Newcastle and Clough before making its way to Downpatrick, finishing at the 30 mph signs on the Ballyduggan Road.
Harry Adams has volunteered to not only drive the minibus to the race but provide service along the route. Anyone wanting to reserve a seat should, therefore, contact Harry immediately.
Recreational Cycles
Anyone wanting to take part on any of the club’s recreational cycles will be made very welcome, irrespective of ability. A full range of tours is on offer but the most popular are the Monday and Thursday morning cycles and the Saturday morning run around the peninsula. This cycle leaves the clubrooms park Drive at 9am and it is left up to everyone’s own discretion as to how far they choose to cycle, as one group will only go as far as Ballywalter whilst another will go to Ballyhalbert and Kircubbin. A full list of all the events can be found on the club’s website at www.northdowncc.com/