With the generous support from  James Orr Engineering North Down entered a strong team for the Donegal Ras. This race is not for the faint hearted with three very difficult stages plus a hilly time trial. It’s a race that attracts big numbers too so if the team were to make any impact on the race at all they would have their work cut out for them.

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After the speed and excitement of the North Down Grand Prix races, the pace becomes a little less hectic for the club’s next big event, The Bangor Coastal Challenge, when NDCC invite cyclists from all over the country to come and join them for a relaxed tour of the peninsula.
Starting at the Bangor Sportsplex on the old Belfast entrants follow the picturesque (and reasonably flat!) coast road around the Ards peninsula with a stop for a welcome bowl of stew and other sustenance at Barholme in Portaferry before heading back to the Sportsplex to receive their commemorative t-shirt and have a chat with their fellow cyclists over tea and coffee.
As well as being an excellent day out for cyclists of all abilities, over the years the Bangor Coastal Challenge has supported a number of charities and last year some with around 1000 entrants, from nervous beginners to hardened veterans, taking part £12000 was donated to various departments of the Ulster Hospital.
This year the main charities which will be supported are CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) and the Make-A-Wish foundation, both of whom do excellent work locally.
So for anyone who fancies a grand day’s cycling, sign up online at http://www.entrycentral.com/index.php?raceID=100180 and do some good, both for yourself and for worthy causes.
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