Wednesday night was the annual Ardill Patterson Road race held over five laps of the Springwell Road circuit. It’s the only club race held on the open road now with most of the racing having moved to the Kirkistown Circuit so it was a unique opportunity for many club members to experience racing on the roads for the first time.

It goes without saying that Eric booked fabulous weather for the night so that he and Ulster’s most glamorous team of marshals didn’t have to stand in the rain all night like the ‘Ards CC team have to do every Tuesday.

The race was the traditional Stockbridge Road circuit with riders split into groups depending on ability and Eric’s willingness to accept bribes. There was a good turnout from other local clubs with ‘Ards CC, Bikeworks and Curran Racing sending their Top Guns.

Stockbridge Road

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Yet again the club racing series defied the rain putting on another 25 mile time trial on the Portaferry Road with 23 riders turning out for one of the more arduous events on the club calendar. Shortly before the event the rain stopped and the sun came out providing ideal conditions to hold the event. The plethora of PBs taken over the course of the evening plays testament to just how good the weather turned out to be.

The various categories were well supported though it was the blue riband event that was most hotly contested. Honour, equality and bragging rights at the Yacht Club were at stake as Ben Webb and Molly McLarnon fought it out over the full 25 mile course in the Under 14 category. Molly has been getting in good consistent results through the season but on the night the time checks along the course proved to be correct and it was Ben who took honours. Setting a time of 1hours and 16 mins on his first ever “25” coming in just ahead of Molly. If they can just stay away from sailing boats and stick with bikes the pair of them should be battling it out for overall honours before too long.

Ben and Molly

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