Hi All,
The committee of North Down CC would like to wish all our current members, past members and potential new members a Happy and prosperous 2018!
Happy New Year!
We would also like to add our condolences to Chairman Micky Forbes and his family on the passing of his father this week.
NDCC was in festive mood last weekend (16 December) for the traditional Hot Port run to the Saltwater Brig. Some of the Christmas outfits were nothing short of “amazing”, with baubles and fairy lights proudly displayed. Perked up by a shot of caffeine at Baylands Coffee Company, over 70 cyclists set off to criss-cross the Peninsula and rendezvous at the Brig. Although the weather was much improved from earlier 
in the week, reports of icy road conditions around Ards and Comber meant that the favoured route for some, via Strangford and across on the ferry, was off limits. Meanwhile, back at the Brig, innkeeper Orla was busy lighting the fires and preparing the usual homely welcome, including a bowl of warming vegetable soup and crusty bread. Fortunately, the NDCC festive run always has a few willing elves on hand to fix punctures and the various groups all made it safely to the Brig, more or less on schedule. 
As ever, the hospitality from Orla and her team was marvellous and members enjoyed great craic while thawing out and steeling themselves for return trip to Bangor. Our nominated charity for the festive season is the Motor Neurone Disease Association, with riders contributing generously on the day. Congratulations to Johnny and Jude Webb for making it all happen!
2017 Fréd Awards
By public voting, the annual Fréd Awards recognise the people across Northern Ireland who help to “create a better bike culture”, often working quietly behind the scenes. At a recent ceremony in Belfast, NDCC was prominently represented with an impressive collection of awards.
Eric Blayney was voted “Fréd of the Year” for his tireless promotion of cycle sport – from his MTB league back in the 90s, right through to the hugely successful current Kirkistown race series.
Ray Brownfield’s Bike Repair and Restoration won the Best Local Bike Shop award – we’re delighted for Ray and he provides an outstanding service to many club members.
Bow Bells Donaghadee won the Best Bike Café award – like their rhubarb crumble and custard, richly deserved! We are most grateful to Mark for the ongoing club support.
#seethecyclist was voted Best Bike Campaign and NDCC is committed to cycling safety.
Congratulations from NDCC to all the Fréd Award winners, across all categories, and we wish you continued success in 2018.
North Down CC finished off its 40th anniversary year in grand style with a Gala Ball and awards ceremony, held in the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel. Over 200 members, non-cycling partners and distinguished guests, enjoyed a hugely entertaining evening celebrating the club’s achievements over four decades.
Established in 1977, NDCC has grown over the years into one of the largest and most successful clubs in Ireland. With over 300 active members, we now offer a wide range of cycling options from a youth development programme, to leisurely “bun runs”, through to top category multi-stage racing. Based in Bangor, the daily club runs have enviable access to the scenic Ards Peninsula and the more challenging terrain to be found throughout County Down. Amazingly, when Strava published its annual End of Year Insights for 2016, the Ards region rode away with the top spot for highest average speed! No surprise to our distinctive “pink and black” café racers.
In line with the club’s racing heritage, NDCC hosts a unique series of races around the Kirkistown motor racing circuit. These popular events offer safe, competitive racing for riders of all ages and abilities, and we regularly welcome over 100 competitors from NDCC and neighbouring clubs. Come April, children as young as three and hard-bitten A1 riders, eagerly anticipate the elbow to elbow, lung bursting, always sunny, evenings at the track.
The annual NDCC Coastal Challenge is established as a firm favourite in the sportive calendar, with up to 1,000 cyclists enjoying the fairly flat, 100km circuit of the Ards Peninsula. The event is made possible by the enormous volunteering effort from club members and generous donations from our loyal sponsors – Chain Reaction Cycles, Reid Black Solicitors, Bokhara Restaurant Bangor and Bow Bells Restaurant Donaghadee. Proceeds from the event are donated to local charities.
NDCC has a reputation for warmly welcoming new members and for making a contribution to all aspects of cycling culture. Membership for 2018 opens on 1 December 2017 and further details are available on the club website.
The late Gavin Moore
Sadly, our anniversary year was marred by a tragic road traffic incident in July, in which Gavin Moore lost his life and other club members were seriously injured. Gavin was a remarkable person with the most engaging personality. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, work colleagues and the cycling community. NDDC is committed to cycling safety and this will be our enduring legacy to Gavin’s memory. #seethecyclist
Hi All,
Our festive Hot Port and Mince Pie runs will be taking place again this year.
The dates are the 9th December and 27th December.
More details will follow soon so keep the dates free!!
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.
| 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 |
Images – Terry Nicoletti