FIRST RACE, FIRST WIN

The road racing season began this weekend with the Phoenix GP held on the testing Nutts Corner circuit. The early start to the season in Ireland always means you are taking a risk with the weather and it did not fail to disappoint, being a cold, drizzly kind

Timmy Burns takes P2 in the Phoenix GP A4 Race!

of day. North Down CC were represented in the all the categories but had success in the A3 and A4 races.
NDCC imposed itself on its competitors with Timmy Burns, a relatively new member of the club, taking a credible second place in the A4 race in what was an exciting sprint for the line. He held his nerve and despite being able to see the finish line for a considerable distance judged his move well, just missing out on the top spot. With racing like this, it will not be long before Timmy gets upgraded to A3.

Joash Lawrence winner of A3 Race at Phoenix GP

However, it was junior rider Joash Lawrence who stole the day. A very talented, personable young man held in very high regard by his peers and clubmen, the Cycling Ulster rider took a fantastic win in the A3 race. Joash, the recipient of last years NDCC Bursary, stormed away from the race to win with a magnificent solo effort, made even better by his delighted mum being at the finish line supporting her son. More impressive still, is that Joash has to use restricted gears against older, more experienced riders. The hard winter training he has put in, aside from his A Level studies, has paid off and justified his dedication to the sport. Safe to say, Joash should have a very successful 2016 racing season.

KEEP SAFE

Cycling has seen a huge rise in its popularity in the last few years, and the North Down/Ards Peninsula area is no different. Unfortunately, there are those who see cyclists as a menace, who get in their way. I wrote a few weeks back, that we are all just trying to get somewhere and no ones journey is more important than another’s. On Saturday, one of our riders, whilst returning home from his club run and riding alone, was assaulted by a passenger in a car with a pellet gun, but thankfully he was not injured. However, this could have had more serious consequences. On the same day, two other members riding single file were almost forced off the Groomsport coast road by a motorist showing no patience, narrowly missing oncoming traffic. On Sunday, a driver slowed down beside a club member just to verbally abuse him. Whilst cyclists are not without blame, these types of incident are without justification.

NEW CLUBROOMS GRAND UNVEILING

As mentioned last week, the new clubrooms at Bangor Sportsplex are open for business. The official unveiling will occur on Saturday 27th February between 2pm and 4pm. Guests of honour will be the Mayor of Ards & North Down and our many sponsors. Members of the club are welcome to come and attend.

CHAIN REACTION OPEN NIGHT

Just a reminder that CRC are having a club discount night on Tuesday 3rd March, at the Boucher Road Flagship store. Be sure to come along and bag some bargains.

Words courtesy of Michael McMullan – NDCC PRO
Some images of NDCC @ Phoenix GP courtesy of Sam Carson Photography.

The old red-bricked building in Park Drive, affectionately referred to as the Tardis, had been the home of NDCC for 35yrs and has seen many members come through its doors – some of whom are still with us. It was deceptive in size, in need of TLC, but it had character and was used to its full potential, as a youth club on Fridays where pool and snooker were a distraction from the next day’s race, for turbo training and holding functions. Alas, the clubroom has seen better years and is no long fit for purpose. Park Drive will forever be part of our history and remembered with affection and nostalgia.

However, the long anticipated opening of the new NDCC clubrooms is over. After many months of waiting, our patience has been rewarded with a great new facility at the Bangor Sportsplex, Old Belfast Road. It has a fully equipped gym and separate training room, showers and changing rooms. The clubrooms are already being used for yoga and spin bike classes, so if you want to join in, go to the website and use the Support Calendar to register your interest.

On Saturday 27th February from 2pm-4pm, the club is holding an official Open Day, when we will he hosting the Ards and North Down Mayor and our club sponsors. Club members are invited to come along and have a look, please wear your club kit if cycling to it, and light refreshments are being provided by the Bokhara. If you are interested in joining NDCC, why not come along and see what’s on offer.

Early Start to the Road Racing Season

After one of the wettest on record, winter is finally showing signs of abating. It has played havoc with our training, always seeming to save the worst for the weekends. But days are lengthening and hopefully the weather will settle, as the 2016 road-racing season is only a matter of days away from starting. It’s still too early for shorts for most, but that won’t stop the hardy few from stretching their legs at the Travers GP on Saturday. Held at Annaclone, this will be the first opportunity for aspiring racers to stretch their legs and see if they have done enough during the winter months. A tough race, through country lanes, it is difficult to keep your position for the sprint, so think tactically and defend your place.
Sunday sees Phoenix CC hosting their GP at Nutts Corner, always a tough, exposed course. NDCC should be well represented this year, and hope to be as successful in 2016 as we were in 2015.

New Clubrooms open for Business

The old red-bricked building in Park Drive, affectionately referred to as the Tardis, had been the home of NDCC for 35yrs and has seen many members come through its doors – some of whom are still with us. It was deceptive in size, in need of TLC, but it had character and was used to its full potential, as a youth club on Fridays where pool and snooker were a distraction from the next day’s race, for turbo training and holding functions. Alas, the clubroom has seen better years and is no long fit for purpose. Park Drive will forever be part of our history and remembered with affection and nostalgia.

However, the long anticipated opening of the new NDCC clubrooms is over. After many months of waiting, our patience has been rewarded with a great new facility at the Bangor Sportsplex, Old Belfast Road. It has a fully equipped gym and separate training room, showers and changing rooms. The clubrooms are already being used for yoga and spin bike classes, so if you want to join in, go to the website and use the Support Calendar to register your interest.

On Saturday 27th February from 2pm-4pm, the club is holding an official Open Day, when we will he hosting the Ards and North Down Mayor and our club sponsors. Club members are invited to come along and have a look, please wear your club kit if cycling to it, and light refreshments are being provided by the Bokhara. If you are interested in joining NDCC, why not come along and see what’s on offer.

Club Membership

For those wishing to renew their membership or if you are looking to become a member, please remember this is now done online via a link on the club’s website. Your membership cards will be posted in the near future.

As always, please refer to the NDCC Facebook or website for updates.

Hi all,

With the club clothing shop opening soon and the kit fitting night next Wednesday evening the following info on the requirements for club kit to be worn for competitive events might be useful for those intending to race:-

Club members taking part in any competitive event shall only be allowed compete if wearing the clubs registered jersey. Any requests for alternative kits to be worn in Cycling Ireland affiliated events must be submitted to the Board of Cycling Ireland for prior approval, this applies to all clubs whether Road or Off-Road.

Any club member taking part in a competitive event is required to adhere to the following as part of Cycling Ireland’s technical rules.

CHAPTER T5 – ARTICLE 2 – COSTUMES AND IDENTIFICATION

Riders belonging to a Cycling Ireland affiliated club must when competing in an open race, authorised by Cycling Ireland and organised under Cycling Ireland rules, wear the registered clothing of their affiliated club. In races where a one piece suit is normally worn and a club one piece suit is not available then the rider, with the commissaires agreement, may wear a plain one piece suit.

As regards a plain one piece suit, the only form of advertising permitted thereon is the manufacturer’s logo which must be contained within an area of 25 square cms.

Alison McMullan

Club Secretary

Cycling is rarely out of the media these days. It is either the nations darling after the exploits of Sir Brad Wiggins, or it’s as Public Enemy No.1. Take a look at the number of articles in the media where all cyclists are branded as road hogs , red light jumpers or just plain ridiculous looking in our lycra. Last week on Radio 2, our front lights were the issue. Too bright they said. Turn them off!! Safety first, eh?

Remember as kids we loved to ride our bikes, exploring places, having fun and still be home in time for tea. It brought our first taste of freedom! People love cycling but not cyclists, yet more and more of us are returning to cycling, loving it all over again. Road users have a responsibility to show respect to one another, cyclist, motorist or other. Mutual understanding goes along way. What makes anyone else’s journey more important than the other? We are, after all, just trying to get somewhere.

Race of the Falling Leaves – Cyclocross Round 9

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After a very mild autumn that saw temperatures higher than during the summer and cycling conditions in November better than they were in July, it is clear now that winter has well and truly arrived. That means a number of things, the heavy but trusty winter bike being lifted off the wall in the garage, given a dusting with an oily rag, pumping the tyres to no more than 90psi and then looking out the window and saying “Don’t want to get my winter gear wet, I’ll try again tomorrow”, to hunting out the turbo trainer with the thought of putting on Saving Private Ryan and spinning for three hours in the dry and heat.

In all seriousness, if you have not had your winter bike serviced since last year, there are a number of very experienced mechanics close by who will do a first class job without breaking the bank, especially friend of the club Brownfield Bike Repairs and Restorations, club sponsor Chain Reaction or the newly opened Bike House part owned by club member Mark Irvine.   A few essentials are good working front and rear lights, mudguards and proper winter tyres. SeeSense lights are a local company, Marketing Manager Ross Blayney is a long time member of the club, that have made a revolutionary intelligent light that senses the environment around you. This would make a great Christmas present and if you buy direct, you get club discount – what could be better!! Keep a tin of WD40 handy in the garage and clean your bike after every wet or muddy run out to make sure it ticks along trouble free.

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