Local Cyclist gets Sports Trust Grant
Local girl Rachel Mitchell was one of the recipients of an Ulster Sports and Recreation Trust grant at the Newforge Country Club, last week. Rachael rode for Ulster in the Isle of Man Youth races in May and in the Kerry Youth Tour in August. Perhaps most significantly she picked up two golds in the All- Ireland Under 14 Track Championships in June. Next year Rachael will be stepping up into the Under 16 category where she intends to focus on the track. Also a recipient of an award at New Forge was Stuart Henry who has had numerous victories this year including a stage win at the Kerry International and two gold medals in the All-Ireland Junior Championships.
The Ulster Sports and Recreation Trust, to give it its full title, is a charitable organisation set up Dr John Moore following Mary Peters Gold Medal at the Munich Olympics in 1972. This year the Trust awarded bursaries to 126 young sports people, totalling £50,000. Cycling was well represented throughout the year, with David McCann winning an Outstanding Sportsperson Award and Peter Williams a School Leavers award. However, the fact that North Down CC picked up two of the awards is an indication of the club’s strength in depth.
Many Happy Returns, Bob
A special cycle run was organised today to celebrate the 80th birthday of Bob Hill. Bob who has been involved in cycling for much of his life, still manages to clock up 200 miles per week. He has recently bought himself a new carbon fibre bike so obviously intends to keep on cycling. Over the years Bob has been a member of Belvoir, Cyprus CC, VC Bangor and Ards CC. He is hoping to join North Down as a club member in 2008. When he was racing in the late 40's and 50's it was the colours of Cyprus that he sported. Bob is also a lifelong member of the CTC and for many years was the chief organiser of the then UCF Veterans Time Trial League.
Christmas Activities
It is hoped to have two dates for Hot Port runs to help make everyone "weather
resistant", this year. The proposed dates are Saturday 15 December and Saturday 22 December.
The runs will leave the Club Rooms as normal at 9.00am and take a route
along mainly country roads to Strangford via Killyleagh, Downpatrick, with a
view to embarking on the 11.30 Ferry from Strangford to Portaferry. It is
then back on the road to the break at Saltwater Brig arriving around
12.15pm. The return journey will be the remainder of the normal Saturday run via
Kircubbin, Greyabbey, Newtownards and back to Bangor.
The traditional Mince Pie runs will take place on the Saturday after Christmas. As usual, this gives everyone an opportunity to burn off some of those unwanted calories.