BANGOR COASTAL CHALLENGE

A 60 mile circumnavigation of the Ards Peninsula may seem as daunting to a non-cyclist as scaling the North face of Mount Everest, but this could not be further from the truth.  It is certainly is a long way but then it isn’t called a Challenge for nothing and is easily within the grasp of anyone willing to give it a go. Having started in 2001, hosted by North Down CC, the Bangor Coastal Challenge was considered to be one of the first sportives of its kind in Ireland.  Due to its popularity and being limited to 1000 riders, it always ends up oversubscribed.

Those of us who regularly cycle around the Peninsula take it for granted and probably do not fully appreciate what we have on our doorstep.  A route that has the sea on one side with views across to Scotland, and countryside on the other it really does rank as one of the best in the British Isles.

Passing through towns and hamlets, the Coastal Challenge makes its way from Bangor Sportsplex to Portaferry with its stunning views across the Narrows to Castle Ward.  After a refreshment break, the riders will skirt the shores of Strangford Lough, taking in all this inlet of water has to offer.  The wildlife and scenery should help to take the pain from weary legs, as it winds through Kircubbin, Greyabbey and Newtownards before heading back to the Sportsplex.  As an incentive, if you finish within 8hrs you will receive a specially commissioned t-shirt to help you remember the day.  If you are concerned about safety, there will be marshals and local police out to assist riders, and if you are unfortunate enough to have a mechanical failure or you just end up too puffed to finish, a ‘broom wagon’ is on hand to sweep you up.

The Bangor Coastal Challenge is the primary charity fund raising event the NDCC runs, and has been doing so for fifteen years.  Over the years, charities have benefited to the tune of tens of thousands of pounds, the focus on assisting those local to North Down and the surrounding area.  In the past, The Samaritans, Ulster Hospital, Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul have all received cheques from the club to aid in the great and necessary work they do.  This year the charities will be:

The Samaritans.
Salvation Army
St Vincent de Paul.
Riding for the Disabled.
NI Children’s Hospice.
Cancer Fund for Children.

---

New for 2016 is the Ride to Pickie.  Aimed at kids, this is a great opportunity to ride on public roads (with a rowling road block & marshalled by NDCC & PSNI) from Bangor Sportsplex to Pickie Funpark.  When you get there, you will be rewarded with a fun filled morning.  As well as a goodie bag,  there will be a bouncy castle, the swans and train to ride on.  So don’t delay, sign up today!!

Please see the North Down CC website on how to enter and the terms and conditions.

---

Racing Round Up

The An Post Ras started on Sunday 22 May, with the NDCC team representing County Down.  Things did not get off to the best of starts with a crash just 25 minutes into the race, forcing Dave Watson to use his spare bike.  With seven more stages to go, we can only hope that good fortune stays on their side and all the competitors stay tarmac side up.  There will be a more detailed review next week.  Thankfully all the riders finished safely and within the time limits.

 

---

Bann Wheelers GP

North Down were just out of the prizes this weekend at the Bann Wheelers GP held at Ringsend on Sunday.  Gavin Moore picked up a few more points in the A4 race by finishing 5^th, he should be upgraded shortly while team mate Keith Phillips was 7^th in the A2/A3 race.

---

Bow Bells Hilly TT Bradshaw’s Brae

Hilly Time trials are back!  It’s official!!  Stage 15 of the Giro d’Italia saw riders grinding up an Alp in the race against the gravity and the clock, and so did NDCC by reintroducing an old discipline on Bradshaw’s Brae.  An inspired route, thought up by Club Stalwart Eric Blayney, the course took in three laps of the Brae, Ballyrogan Road and Milecross Road.  These events aren’t everyones cuppa but there was a good turn out of riders and marshals.  Despite a couple of mishaps, a wrong turn and the forgetting of shoes, the event ran smoothly and more importantly safely.  The success on the night means it will be on the calendar for a few years to come.

1. David Hamilton      25mins 49 secs
2. Thomas Michalski  26mins 43 secs
3. Michael McMullan 26mins 51 secs

Full Results here….

Words & Report by Michael McMullan – NDCC PRO

RACING ROUND UP

The weekend saw a packed schedule of racing North and South of the border.  In preparation for the 8 day An Post Ras, North Down CC sent its riders to Hillsborough and Wicklow to compete in two tough races.

Hillsborough was the setting for the Tommy Givan GP, a notoriously difficult race but with thoughts of harder and tougher days ahead, this was a good race to test the legs. James Ambrose, known as ‘Jammy’ to his friends, has been cycling competitively for only four or five years and has shown to be a reliable and dedicated member of the racing team.  James never turns up expecting to sit in the bunch for an easy day, he is always in the mix of breaks, his calm nature belying his aggressive riding.  Saturday saw all this effort pay off, having been instrumental in splitting the bunch and causing a break, he accompanied by team mate Lewis Ferguson, pushed the other riders to the limit ensuring the ensuing peleton did not close them down.  When it came to the sprint, Ambrose was just outdone and came home a terrific second, while Lewis finished fourth. Great teamwork paid off in the end.

The clubs youth riders also had a great day’s racing.  The talented Nathan Keown and Katy Armstrong were in action in the U16 race.  Katy is eligible to ride in the category below U16, but showed integrity by racing with the U16 boys.  This was never going to be easy for the girls in the race but despite losing contact with the group, gutsily rode on to finish second female.  Nathan has shown promise over the last couple of years, and has held up his reputation as one to watch for the future by finishing fourth.

Shay Elliot was the first Irish cycling superstar having raced in the late 1950s-1960s.  He was the first Irishman to wear the Yellow Jersey of the Tour de France, amongst a host of palmares including stage wins in Le Tour, Giro D’Italia and Vuelta Espana. It is therefore fitting that The Shay Elliot Memorial Race in Co. Wicklow, perhaps the most iconic one-day race in the whole of Ireland, is a test of strength, will power and determination.  Racing through the Wicklow Mountains is going to hurt anyone but with the weather being favourable for a change, Dave Hamilton stuck the pace and finished a very respectable 8^th place.

An Post Ras

Considered to be one of the toughest amateur stage races on the national and international calendar, the 2016 An Post Ras starts this weekend.  An eight day event, that has seen Mark Cavendish, Tony Martin amongst others ride this race, it is not for the faint hearted!!  Gruelling long days of over 100 miles, through some of the most spectacular and scenic routes in Ireland, it is also open to some of the worst weather on offer.  The racing is fast and furious and not everyone makes it through the week, but to be able to say you are a ‘Man of the Ras’ gives a certain kudos in cycling.  North Down CC members Dave Watson, Dave Hamilton, James Ambrose and Lewis Ferguson will be representing County Down, ably assisted by Dave Watson Snr and Harry Adams.  Last year’s result in the County competition were very encouraging, and this strong bunch of lads will want to better or equal that.  NDCC wishes them well and will be following their progress keenly.

Time trials

Time trialling is the quiet man in the cycle racing family.  Understated and generally unreported, this event is the purest type of race.  Rider v time.  There is nothing else that matters except time and speed.  You are on your own and cannot accept help from others.  There is no drafting or bunching.  Go out to fast and you will blow on the way back. Go out too slow and your time will reflect it.  It’s all about pace.  TTs have made and broken champions.  Remember Lemond and Fignon in Paris 1989?  Lemond won the Tour de France by 8 seconds on the last day of the race.
A day that has become infamous in cycling, it shows the impact a TT can make on a race.

Ards CC Champion of Champions

Ards CC have hosted the 25 mile Time Trial on the Portaferry Road for a number of years.  Such famous luminaries as Olympic Gold medalist Chris Boardman and Graeme Obree have ridden and won this event, indeed Boardman’s record of 49mins still stands.  The event had a big turn out with several NDCC riders entered.  John Rafferty has made TTs his speciality and despite the gale force headwind, he rode to an incredible time of 58mins49 secs.  Although not the fastest time on the day, it is a very fast time on a difficult, traffic busy course.  John will be aiming to repeat the fabulous season he had last year, lifting numerous Championship titles over various distances.

Bow Bells Time Trial League

Last Wednesday saw the first of the Bow Bell 10 mile TTs, starting at the carpark in Millisle and turning on the outskirts of Ballywalter.  A fast course when the conditions are right but with a strong headwind home, times were considered modest.  However, there are two more 10’s over the summer so hopefully better weather will bring improved times.

Mens TT Results

1. Willie Larmour – 23.28mins
2. Paul Swenarton – 23.46mins
3. Keith Philips – 23.52mins

Womens TT Results

1. Gillian Orr – 26.27mins
2. Louise Togneri – 26.39mins
3. Alison McMullan – 27.42mins

Words & Report by Michael McMullan – NDCC PRO