Cycling Through the Winter – Part Two
Last week this column focused on the recreational side of cycling and in particular the lure of the ‘grand tour’. It seems that some North Down members decided to take a ‘long tour’ last Saturday, leaving the club rooms at 9 am and cycling to Downpatrick before taking the Marie Curie charity cycle. According to event organiser, Terry Nicoletti, the whole affair was a great success, with thirty club members completing the trip.
Cycling Through the Winter
Noel Boyce this week launched the first part of his programme which is aimed at maximising the North Down Cycling Club’s clubrooms during the long winter months. In addition to the customary meetings and social get togethers, Noel has planned a series of bicycle maintenance classes, which will be available to all members and will be of interest and value to everyone, regardless of their expertise.
McKenna – Northern Ireland Hill Climb Champion
North Down's Neil McKenna proved his worth last week when he lifted the gold medal in the Northern Ireland Hill Climb Championships. The event hosted by North Down Cycling Club and sponsored by the North Down Borough Council, attracted a large number of competitors to the Croft Road circuit, with riders travelling from all over the province. In fact, although the gold stayed in the borough, the silver was shared by riders from Carrickfergus and Omagh.
| NI Hill Climb Results | ||
| POSITION | NAME | TIME |
| 1. | Neil McKenna (North Down CC) | 2.58 |
| 2= | Kieran McKenna (East Antrim Audi) | 3.06 |
| 2= | Ondrey Slobodnik (Omagh Wheelers) | 3.06 |
| 4= | Stuart Henry (North Down ) | 3.09 |
| 4= | Dane Dunlop (Lakeland CC) | 3.09 |
| 6. | William Barclay (North Down) | 3.20 |
| 7= | Warren Francis (Ards CC) | 3.21 |
| 7= | Jonny Beers (East Antrim Audi) | 3.21 |
| 9. | Graham Boyd (XMTB) | 3.26 |
| 10= | Stephen Farr (Team Madigan) | 3.41 |
| 10= | Nathan McAleer (North Down) | 3.41 |
| 12. | Craig Swenarton (North Down) | 3.49 |
| 13= | Robin Millar (Ards CC) | 3.51 |
| 13= | Paul Swenarton (North Down) | 3.51 |
| 15. | Colin Wilson (Ards CC) | 4.02 |
| 16. | Blane Watton (U12) (Ballymena) | 4.15 |
| 17. | Hannah Francis (Ards CC) | 4.27 |
North Down’s Neil McKenna continued to display the sort of form last weekend which has made him one of the most feared roadmen in the country. In the 60 mile Tour of the Lakes, over hilly roads on the Inishowen Peninsula, the going was always going to be tough and in such circumstances the best always come to the fore.
| POSITION | NAME | TIME |
| 1 | Neil McKenna | 00:56:34 |
| 2 | Liam Curran |
00:56:38 |
| 3 | Paul Ferguson |
00:56:40 |
| 4 | Alan Lavery | 00:56:45 |
| 5 | Stuart Henry | 00:56:45 |
| 6 | Matty Blayney | 00:57:30 |
| 7 | Matt McInerney |
00:57:30 |
| 8 | Nathan McLeer | 00:57:30 |
Here are the results of the race on the Springwell/Hightrees/Groomsport circuit. Good conditions. 15 started in 2 groups.