Oh What a Night …
“I didn’t recognise you with your clothes on”, was the repeated greeting at the glamorous NDCC Gala Ball in the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel. If there was any lycra in the room, it was carefully concealed under some very stylish evening wear.
Over 200 members, club sponsors and distinguished guests, thoroughly enjoyed celebrating 40 years of the club’s proud history. Founder member – Tom Henry, eloquently reminded us of past successes and the cycling family of which we’re privileged to be a part. Master of Ceremonies – Ian Blayney raced through the awards presentation at fast Cloughey pace, only pausing briefly to introduce a new cycling acronym COWS (don’t ask) and to announce young Sam Carson as Club Man of the Year.
Guest speaker Dr Michael Hutchinson gave an entertaining account of his life as a champion cyclist and sports commentator. From Chris Froome to Bradley Wiggins, he knows them all, and even managed to rhyme Sean Kelly with Delhi belly, in an amusing anecdote about providing a urine sample in 40 degree heat! Thankfully, Dr Hutch restricted his discussion on gear ratios, although one non-cycling spouse at our table did ask “darling, do you have a 60-53 rig?” – oh how we laughed!
Moving “zwiftly” on, the band cranked up and members demonstrated that they’re not just “strictly” cyclists. Huge kudos to Kieran Beattie for organising such a wonderful and memorable night.
The award winners are as follow below…
Award Winner Lifetime Achievement Ian Blayney Outstanding Achievement Eric Blayney Club Man of the Year Sam Carson Volunteer of the Year Ian Martin Best Newcomer Stuart Millar Most Improved Timmy Burns Best Lady Gillian Orr Best Vet Johnny Webb Ardill Patterson RR Winner Shaun Carey Ardill Patterson RR Best Senior Keith Phillips Ardill Patterson RR Best Vet Paul Kirk
Award | Winner |
---|---|
Lifetime Achievement | Ian Blayney |
Outstanding Achievement | Eric Blayney |
Club Man of the Year | Sam Carson |
Volunteer of the Year | Ian Martin |
Best Newcomer | Stuart Millar |
Most Improved | Timmy Burns |
Best Lady | Gillian Orr |
Best Vet | Johnny Webb |
Ardill Patterson RR Winner | Shaun Carey |
Ardill Patterson RR Best Senior | Keith Phillips |
Ardill Patterson RR Best Vet | Paul Kirk |
Images – Terry Nicoletti