NDCC Gala Ball & Awards Presentation 2017

Oh What a Night …
“I didn’t recognise you with your clothes on”, was the repeated greeting at the glamorous NDCC Gala Ball in the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel. If there was any lycra in the room, it was carefully concealed under some very stylish evening wear.
Over 200 members, club sponsors and distinguished guests, thoroughly enjoyed celebrating 40 years of the club’s proud history. Founder member – Tom Henry, eloquently reminded us of past successes and the cycling family of which we’re privileged to be a part. Master of Ceremonies – Ian Blayney raced through the awards presentation at fast Cloughey pace, only pausing briefly to introduce a new cycling acronym COWS (don’t ask) and to announce young Sam Carson as Club Man of the Year.
Guest speaker Dr Michael Hutchinson gave an entertaining account of his life as a champion cyclist and sports commentator. From Chris Froome to Bradley Wiggins, he knows them all, and even managed to rhyme Sean Kelly with Delhi belly, in an amusing anecdote about providing a urine sample in 40 degree heat! Thankfully, Dr Hutch restricted his discussion on gear ratios, although one non-cycling spouse at our table did ask “darling, do you have a 60-53 rig?” – oh how we laughed!
Moving “zwiftly” on, the band cranked up and members demonstrated that they’re not just “strictly” cyclists. Huge kudos to Kieran Beattie for organising such a wonderful and memorable night.

The award winners are as follow below…

Award	Winner
Lifetime Achievement	Ian Blayney
Outstanding Achievement	Eric Blayney
Club Man of the Year	Sam Carson
Volunteer of the Year	Ian Martin
Best Newcomer	Stuart Millar
Most Improved	Timmy Burns
Best Lady	Gillian Orr
Best Vet	Johnny Webb
Ardill Patterson RR Winner	Shaun Carey
Ardill Patterson RR Best Senior	Keith Phillips
Ardill Patterson RR Best Vet	Paul Kirk

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Lifetime Achievement - Ian Blayney

Images – Terry Nicoletti