You could be forgiven for thinking that NDCC is entirely made up of MAMIL’s – Middle Aged Men In Lycra. However, with over 200 members in the club we have a very diverse range of cyclists. With youth riders as young as nine, female riders as old (or young) as 69 and male riders as old (or young) as 84, we have something for everyone, regardless of your age or ability.

Cycling is a great sport for everyone. It is easy on the joints and a fun way to keep fit and also expand your social circle. NDCC is not just about racing, but if you do want to race we have an active and successful racing team. The men’s racing results are well documented, but Louise Togneri (50), who only started cycling in her late 40’s, recently came 3^rd in the first race she’s ever entered. She was also featured in the February issue of Good Housekeeping magazine in an article about women who break the mould.

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Chain Reaction Cycles’ flagship Belfast store is proud to support North Down Cycling Club (NDCC) for the next two years.

This exciting partnership will give NDCC the opportunity to develop youth cycling through the donation of four Vitus bikes, as well as sponsorship of the club’s Championship Race in May.

Retail Manager Neil McGuigan said: “Being involved with such a long established club, with a great history and growing membership it’s very much a natural partnership for the store and great to be involved in the local community as well. I hope this is the beginning of a long healthy relationship with all members of NDCC and the Northern Ireland cycle community.”

Ian Blayney, Chairman of North Down Cycling Club added: “NDCC is delighted to welcome Chain Reaction Cycles, Boucher Road as the sponsor of the North Down GP and NICF Road Race Championships. It’s fantastic that Chain Reaction Cycles, which is now a global brand, have not forgotten their roots and continue to invest in cycling locally. Our club has seen a dramatic increase in membership over the past three years so CRC’s sponsorship will enable us to further promote the sport, in all its forms, to all age groups within North Down.”

Chain Reaction Cycles have kindly donated four Vitus road bikes to the club which will be used to encourage more boys and girls to join. We are also keen to increase our female membership whether it’s to join our leisure cyclists or to compete in women’s racing.”

The advantage of being Northern Ireland’s second largest club means as well as having more than our fair share of top flight strikers we have a subs bench of some considerable depth.  This weekend the club was ably represented in no less than four competitive events throughout Ireland. The elite mountain bike division closed out the XMTB McConvey Series in Ormeau Park. This has been a fantastic three race series providing competitive pre-season racing for mountain bikers. With sixty plus riders in the senior category alone it has provided  close racing in a location within walking distance of the city centre. The proximity of the series to Belfast ensured big crowds turning out to spectate adding to the carnival atmosphere.

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While our elite mountain bike division has already been in the thick of the action at McConvey’s Series in Ormeau Park this weekend has opened up the season for the road men. The traditional start to the Ulster racing season has always been the Annaclone GP hosted by Banbridge CC. After a good solid winter’s training the North Down team was raring to go putting in a strong team of motivated athletes. Almost from the start the team showed its intent with Richard McCullough and new boy to the club Connor Hanna getting into the break on lap 2. The boys were staying away too though disaster was to strike Richard. He went down in a crash and broke his frame fortunately though he was able to get up and walk away from the accident. Connor powered on however to take 5^th place. A fine start to anyone’s season and an excellent debut from Connor for the pink and black.

Noel Munnis

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