Youth Cycling Coaching Camp
A one day youth training and coaching camp for Under 15/16 boys and girls will take place on 10th February 2008 at Craigavon Golf and Ski Centre. This is a great opportunity for all prospective young cyclists to get a grounding in race craft before the up-coming season. The camp will consist of a two and a half hour training spin where strength and endurance will be tested. This will be followed by talks on methods of training with a 3.30pm finish.
Importantly, from those attending, a group will be chosen to attend a National Coaching & Training Camp which will be held in Castlebar, Co Mayo. This session will take place on the weekend of 23rd and 24th February 2008. Those who are interested in attending the training camp should contact the Youth Commission Chairman Mickey McKenna immediately.
NICF/CU Awards Night.
The annual Northern Ireland Cycling Federation Awards Night will once again be held in the Newforge Country Club on Sat 2 February. This is always a great night and will be an ideal opportunity for all to socialise before the start of another season.
There is an added impetus, however, for North Down members to attend with so many of the local club’s members being in line for major awards. For example, both Craig and Paul Swenarton have road race and track medals to collect. Similarly, Neil McKenna was a prize winner in NICF-CU Slane Series and William Barclay has a bronze medal in the hillclimb championship to celebrate. Rachel Mitchel was 2nd in the Northern Ireland Under 14 championships and 1st in the track league whilst Stuart Henry won the Northern Ireland Under 16 Road Race championship, was 2nd in the Hillclimb Championship and 3rd in the Ulster Time Trial Championship.
With excellent hospitality and cuisine on offer at the Country Club, this is clearly a night not to be missed. As in previous years it is anticipated that the club minibus will be used for transport. Tickets, priced £15 can be ordered from Madigan man Gary McKeegan by phoning or Emailing him (Tel 07751 863 332 Gary.McKeegan@nrc.ac.uk )
Keep Fit
With the season only five short weeks away and the weather turning miserable, a local church has come to the rescue for local cyclists, offering them the use of their halls for keep-fit exercises. However, this offer is not restricted the racing members of North Down Cycling Club. Anyone who is interested in light aerobic exercises should contact Tom Henry for further information.
Revolution Series
The Track commission have organised a trip to the next round of the Revolution Series due to take place in the Manchester Velodrome on Saturday 23rd February. For those of you who have never been to one of these, the event is run over an evening and includes International World Class track stars taking on the best of the British. Events are run off in a very efficient manner with a varied program of about 18 events – Sprints, Scratch, Keirin, Devils, Pursuits etc.
The program for next meeting hasn't yet been finalised but two events that will feature will be the Isaac Galvez Memorial Madison and the French World Team Sprint Champions in a match against the British team. All riders will be in top form a month ahead of the World Championships so Revolution 20 will provide the final opportunity for competitive action. Last month’s Revolution meeting was a sell out as was the case when the Track Commission made the trip last year.
For those of you who have never been to an indoor track meeting at Manchester, it is something that has to be experienced to be believed. Its non stop action, and to look down the 42 degree banking as the riders pass just yards away from you is something you won’t forget in a hurry!! Places are limited, so if you’re interested then visit the Cycling Ulster website.