Northern Ireland Festival of Cycling – Bangor Bike Week

The Festival of Cycling commenced on Sunday 5^th June with the Gran Fondo, a legacy of the hugely successful Giro d’Italia that visited the province in 2014.  Attracting thousands of riders, the closed road event was for some a leisurely opportunity to stretch the legs, for others a race, which our own NDCC member David Hamilton finished second behind local legend Mark Kane.  There are plenty of events on offer during the festival, appealing to all levels of fitness and ages. Bangor Bike Week will start on Saturday 11^th June and is being run by Ards & North Down Borough Council.  Whether you want to race around the town centre in Ards or pedal along the Greenway, this will be a fantastic opportunity to get out and ride your bike. Check local press or the Council website for more details.

Bangor Coastal Challenge

The week will culminate in the annual Coastal Challenge, sponsored by Chain Reaction Cycles, on Sunday 19^th June.  This is one of the biggest sportives in the Province, with an expected 1000 riders taking to the roads of the Ards Peninsula.  Whilst called the Challenge, it really is within the reach of just about anyone.  The roads are mostly flat and there is enough assistance on the day to help you around.  With proceeds going to six nominated charities, it really is a worthwhile cause.  There are still places left but online registration closes on Saturday 11^th June, so don’t delay – enter today!  If you do not have access to the online system, you can enter on the day at Bangor Sportsplex.  Sign on commences at 8am.

Club Membership Offer

In conjunction with the Coastal, NDCC have declared June as Membership Offer Month.  Every tenth person to join up will receive free membership for the year, and it is hoped to have a small display at Bangor Marina with a few club members available to discuss what the club does and what it has to offer.  So come along and pay us a visit on Friday 17^th June from 7.30pm.  We will be running a static bike competition, aside from the Membership offer, so you never know, you might just walk away as a winner.

Racing Round Up

Bow Bells TT Series

With almost perfect conditions, the 10mile TT from Millisle to Ballywalter and back, saw a large turn out of riders.  Especially welcome were the numerous members from other clubs that came along to have a test on the course.  Mark Kane was fastest on the night, with a tarmac melting 21mins 57secs.

Results (NDCC only):

Senior Men
John Rafferty – 22mins 28 secs
Keith Phillips – 22mins 56 secs
Johnny Webb – 23mins 15 secs

Senior Ladies
Gillian Orr – 26 mins 11 secs
Louise Togneri – 27 mins 15 secs
Alison McMullan – 27 mins 28 secs

U16
Jake Rushby 26 mins 50 secs

U12
Daniel Cardy 35 mins 30 secs.

Bishopscourt Circuit Racing

On Saturday, Dromara CC hosted a day of racing on the Bishopscourt race circuit.  NDCC were well represented and took home a few honours.  In the A3 race, Timmy Burns took 3^rd in the sprint for the line.  This should be him upgraded to A2.

In the Youth categories, rising star Maia Simmons, showed several boys a clean pair of heels finishing 4^th in the U14s, a superb result considering she could have ridden in the U12 race.  Top step in the U12s race went to NDCC rider Rachel White, and that too was racing against boys of her own age.

U16 riders Patrick Watson and Nathan Keown worked well together, finishing 5^th and 6^th respectfully.

Track Racing

More used to seeing Sir Chris Hoy tearing up the tracks in velodromes around the world, it may surprise some that Ireland only has a couple of outdoor tracks.  These are far removed from the air-conditioned arenas used at Olympic Games and as such does not receive the recognition or coverage of other aspects of the sport.  NDCC are lucky to have a talent for this style of racing in Paul Swenarton.  On Saturday, Paul raced on the Sundrive Track near Dublin at the Duane Delaney Meet.  Representing the Masters Class, Paul was the fastest in his category over a 200m sprint, with a blistering 13.13 secs!  Paul also finished 8^th overall in the competition, which saw him pitted against riders half his age.  There is life in the old dog yet.

Words & Report by Michael McMullan – NDCC PRO

Five Go Riding the Ras

1500 kilometres.  300 gels.  100 water bottles.  80 massages.  25 kilos of bananas.  9 sponsors.  8 stages.  5 riders.  4 crashes.  That is just a little of what it takes to become a Man of the Ras.  This is no easy accolade, as four NDCC riders and one guest rider found out as they competed in the grueling An Post race that took them the length and breadth of Ireland.  Dave Hamilton, Dave Watson, James Ambrose, Lewis Ferguson and Darnell Moore were representing County Down, a sub category of the main race.  James Ambrose was riding his first Ras (pronounced ‘Ross’) and it was with a sense of trepidation and excitement that he and the other four riders headed South for the start on Sunday 22nd May.

After 25 minutes on Day One, Dave Watson had a crash and was forced to ride his spare bike but thankfully this was not an omen of things to come.  James did a have a couple of contacts with tarmac and a parked van but always made it in before the time cut.  Speed can be ferocious in the Ras, as Europe’s best gather for this eight-stage race, so to become isolated can spell a death knell as you will not make it over the line in time.  The time cut is decided by a percentage of the stages winner’s time, so if you are unlucky to have a mechanical or are not feeling well, you still have to ride on the rivet to ensure you can start the next day.

The County Down team showed their class, consistently finishing high up the rankings, with Lewis Ferguson excelling himself by leading the A2 rider category from the start.  At one point he had over four minutes on his nearest rival, and being ably supported by his team he held onto the lead until the finish at the Skerries on Sunday.  Lewis’s background is in mountain biking and has represented NI, so with his base ability and his quiet but aggressive style of riding, he is a very deserved winner of the An Post Ras A2 category.

Of course, teamwork is what a big race like this is all about and with the riders all keeping a watchful eye on one another, to come fourth in the County Team category is a huge achievement and all at NDCC would like express our pride in having four out of the five lads as club mates.

Behind the scenes, there are a band of unsung heroes, without whom the riders would not have it ‘so easy’.  Team Manager, Dave Watson Snr has worked tirelessly this year ferrying the riders from race to race but it was the best preparation for the Ras.  Ensuring that the riders had all they needed before and after the race is a logistical nightmare but it was carried off with aplomb.  Harry Adams ensured that weary legs were given good massages every day to flush the toxins out, whilst mechanic Declan McMackin, who is co-owner of The Bikehouse and one of the sponsors of the team, kept the bikes in perfect running order.  Again the club would like to pay tribute to these three, who have given up their time to help out.

County Down Ten Mile TT – Warrenpoint-Newry-Warrenpoint

NDCC were well represented at the County Championships held on Saturday 28^th May, in both the Mens and Ladies events.  The course was the Warrenpoint to Newry dual carriageway, a relatively flat and fast course.  Conditions were good, in that there were light winds and warm temperatures.  TT specialist John Rafferty finished fastest of all the NDCC men with a blistering 21.16mins and was just outside a medal in the Vet category. Michael McMullan and Johnny Webb both had credible rides, finishing in the top 15, whilst Gillian Orr and Alison McMullan performed well, both of them just pushed out of the medal positions.  Local man Ian Inglis showed everyone a clean pair of heels with an amazing ride of 20.34mins.

Reid & Black Kirkistown Criterium

Wednesday night is club night, and this week it was Round Two of the Reid & Black Kirkistown League.  Such a difference in conditions from Round One, for once the wind was calm and the sun was warm.  A great turnout of riders of all ages, from the U8s to the Over 50s but it was the main race, lasting 45 minutes that had the most riders.  Each bunch, of which there are generally three, has to both catch the one in front and stay ahead of the one chasing them.  Colm Watson, VC Glendale took the honours in a fast sprint from Mark Kane, Dave Kane Cycles.  Johnny Webb was first NDCC rider.

Results

U8s
1^st Karl Rockett
2^nd Matthew Knight
3^rd Elliot Maitland

U10s
1^st Reuben Maitland
2^nd Oliver Duffield
3^rd Luke Wilson

U12s
1^st Daniel Cardy
2^nd Ewan Ferguson
3^rd Harry Lennie

U14/16s
1^st Nathan Keown
2^nd Patrick Watson
3^rd Tristan Cameron

Main Race (NDCC members only)
1^st Johnny Webb
2^nd Matty Blayney
3^rd Michael McMullan

Ladies (NDCC only)
1^st Alison McMullan
2^nd Maia Simmons

Northern Ireland Month of Cycling – Club Membership Offer

A little known fact is that June is deemed Northern Ireland Bike Month.  There will be events held across the province, and our own borough council have set aside a week in June to promote cycling in the area.  In recognition of this, NDCC will be offering free membership to every tenth applicant who wishes to join the club. What can NDCC offer, you may ask?  One of the biggest clubs in the country, we have daily organised club rides aimed at all levels.  Wednesday night is race/TT night if you are feeling competitive or if you are just starting out in cycling, we run novice rides during the week.  Aside from this, our biggest sponsor, Chain Reaction Cycles regularly holds discount nights and we have a great deal on joining the new gym at Bangor Sportsplex.  If that isn’t enough, there is the annual trip to Mallorca, social nights and much more.  So don’t delay – head over to the NDCC website and sign up.

Bangor Coastal Challenge

With hundreds already signed up to ride this great charity event, if you haven’t entered, don’t worry there is still time.  Again, just head over to the NDCC website and follow the link.

Words & Report by Michael McMullan – NDCC PRO