A YEAR OF SUCCESS FOR NORTH DOWN CC

As 2009 draws to a close the committee of North Down Cycling Club can look back with satisfaction at what, in some respects, was a record year and look ahead to what is being anticipated as a year of further development in 2010.

The final event of the year was the annual, post-Christmas Mince Pie Run, held on a cold and frosty Monday morning. The icy roads caused many members to opt for a day off but there were still 20 or so who decided to do a steady 25 mile run on the main roads of the Ards peninsula. Safely back in the Marquis Hall they were joined by other club members, including the youngest rider of the day, four-year old Ewen Ferguson, in a feast of mince pies and Hazel Allen’s celebrated fudge. As usual, Ruth McNally and helpers did a splendid job in the catering department.

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North Down Cycling Club’s pre Christmas events

North Down Cycling Club’s pre Christmas events have been attracting big turnouts. The two registration nights saw around 60 riders take out membership for 2010, an encouraging start given that the main push for membership will take place in January. Most of the riders were existing members but there were an encouraging number of new faces, a clear indication of the growing interest in cycling in general and a measure of North Down’s growth in particular. Prospective new members are reminded that membership forms can be downloaded from the club website at www.northdowncc.com.

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CYCLISTS EMPHASISE SAFETY

North Down Cycling Club launched its drive for membership this week with two nights being allocated to allow existing and new members an opportunity to enrol for 2010. Following the large turnout on Tuesday evening, club chairman Ian Blayney is anticipating another wave of new signings tonight, Thursday 10th. The clubrooms in Park Drive will be open between 7.30 and 9pm but anyone unable to get along can download the necessary application forms from the club website at www.northdowncc.com. New members are reminded that Cycling Ireland have a special introductory rate of only £9 for a year’s membership. This will provide the rider with third party and limited personal injury insurance cover. Anyone wanting to take advantage of this offer needs to bring a photocopy of a driving licence or other evidence of date of birth.

As this year draws to a close the club can look back and take great satisfaction from its successes on a number of fronts, details of which will appear in this column later this month. The big increase in membership and swelling numbers going on club weekend runs has caused North Down’s committee to remind riders of the importance of safe riding practices. While cyclists can do nothing to reduce the increasing volume of motor traffic on our roads, it is possible to minimise risk by adopting simple, sensible habits.

At this time of the year the amount of daylight is restricted and we can expect frequent cloudy, dull and wet weather. It follows, therefore that riders make themselves as visible as possible to other road users, especially motorists approaching from behind. For only a few pounds it is possible to acquire a tail light and some reflective clothing or stickers. With most riders using winter training bikes and wearing several layers of clothing, the priority is getting home safely rather than saving weight or looking stylish.

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“Cycling Club brush up on first aid skills”

The people in it from L-R are: Noel Boyce, John Gordon, Terry Nicoletti, Ken Patterson (British Red Cross), John Hunter (with Annie), Colin Massey, Julie Stevenson and Wilf Redshaw

CYCLING CLUB PLANS FOR RECORD YEAR

Having achieved record levels of membership in 2009, North Down Cycling Club is aiming to top that with an ambitious target of 150 members for 2010. Recruitment begins next week when the clubrooms in Park Drive will be open on two nights, Tuesday 8th and Thursday 10th December. Club registrar Florence Millar will be there from 7.30pm and new and existing members are advised to get down early.

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NORTH DOWN GEARS UP FOR FESTIVE SEASON

With the successful 2009 road season safely confined to the club archives, North Down Cycling Club’s ever expanding membership are now in maintenance mode with the majority of riders content to make do with the weekend club runs. However, those riders wanting to do more have signed up to a midweek programme that will add variety as well as a bit of top end training to their winter routine.

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night the clubrooms are heaving as riders are put through their paces on the club’s recently acquired power trainers. These specially designed machines, unlike the spinning machines found in most gyms, allow the riders to use their own road bikes. Sessions enable the cyclists to monitor their heart rate, speed and power output over a one- hour routine, providing performance data that can be used to plan improvements in fitness.

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