Club AGM:
Mon 11th Oct. was the club AGM which was held in a packed club house. It was good see such strong support for the club and it was literally standing room only.
A new Committee was elected with most of the existing Committee being retained in post. Four new members were elected to bring the Committee to a total of 16 members.
Alison McMullan has accepted the role as Club Secretary taking over from Julie Stephenson who steps down after 3 years of great service. Many thanks to Julie for her efforts over previous years.
William Barclay, who has finally accepted the role of club media officer, is now also a Committee member as are Clare White and Gerry Irvine.
Awards Night 19th November 2011:
Tickets can now be reserved for the club awards night which will be held at Pickie Bowling Club on Saturday 19th November. There should be a good turnout for what is planned to be an entertaining evening. The club has ordered medals for all Testers who have managed to reach the Silver or Bronze BAR Standard so please make an effort to be there. The usual awards will also be presented so make sure that all trophies are returned cleaned and engraved in good time.
Yet again ticket price is only £5 per head which will include a hot buffet and a speech from the Chairman which is guaranteed to both shock and offend in equal measure.
Please respond to our illustrious chairman, Mr. Ian Blayney, via e-mail as to how
many tickets you may require.
Woodgreen 10 Mile Time Trial (Mixed):
Our very own Anthony Mitchell has been in action setting a very respectable time of 28:49 over the Woodgreen Time Trial course with his daughter Rachel. This was a “mixed†event comprising a male and a female member. Good to see Anthony taking a break from organisational duties and reminding everyone that he can still set a fast time on the bike!
Cycle Friendly Borough:
In order to continue to highlight the need to fully upgrade the North Down Coastal Path a Mince Pie Bird Bicycle Ride sponsored by Bikeworks has been organised from Bangor and Holywood to the RSPB Bird Reserve, Airport Road, Belfast on Sunday 20 November 2011. The ride will depart from Bangor at 10am from McKee Clock and Holywood at noon from Café Nero, High Street
Cyclo Cross Round 2 Lady Dixon Park:
Sunday 16th October saw a team of 7 North Down ‘cross racers make the short journey up to Lady Dixon Park on the outskirts of South Belfast.
It was another strong team from North Down comprising Johnny Webb, Ross & Matty Blayney, Michael Hamilton, Michael McMullan and Mark Irvine on ‘crosss duties with Chris Cameron flying the club colours at the mountain bike support race.
The weather was glorious for October which meant big crowds of not only riders but spectators too. It was obvious from the amount of new ‘cross bikes that this is certainly a growth area in Ulster cycling.
Phoenix C.C. had devised an absolutely exceptional course that ticked just about every box. Fast paths, steep banks, draggy grass field, technical forest trials and a fast off camber downhill left hander that resulted in many a grass stain on a rider’s shorts. Big crowds congregated at this corner to see which big name would be humbled next.
Our boys went hard from the gun. The Prince in particular making a good start though Ross was only seconds behind hot on his heels. Ross, as ever, was showing his class on the technical course making short work of the plank section in his trademark style. The rest of the team were battling it out behind while Matt Adair was charging hard off the front. During the course of the race Roger Aiken finally took the honours whilst the North Down battle finished with Ross finally gaining the upper hand over The Prince though the time difference was minimal.
It was a great showing by the boys and particularly good to see Michael McMullan back after his tumble in Lurgan Park.
Next round Sunday 6th Nov. in the 17th Century Moira Demesne Park. If it’s anything like the Lady Dixon Round it will be well worth the trip up!
Apologies this week to our female readers. There is no picture of Matty as he turned up in a mismatching shorts and jersey combo and consequently looked like Gok Wan himself had dressed him.