Superb Swenarton

Last week top North Down Cycling Club time trialist, Paul Swenarton, once again demonstrated why he is one of the best in the country in the ‘race of truth’, when he recorded a superb 1hour 59 seconds for a 25 mile time trial on the Portaferry Road. This was a quite excellent time in far from ideal conditions and was nearly 3 minutes faster than a rejuvenated John Hunter. The very next night in an open event on the Clady course Paul again returned a superb time of 23.27, less than 2 mins behind elite time trialist Stuart Bennett!

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Real Challenge for Cyclists

In this column last week I commented that the Coastal Challenge Charity Cycle was eminently do-able for most reasonably fit cyclists. Last Saturday made me eat my words as those brave souls who took up the challenge were met with horrific weather conditions, with driving rain, wind and cold. By the time the 700 plus cyclists reached Donaghadee, after six miles, the conditions had become so bad that some were forced to abandon. However, most of the gallant band travelled on in an heroic fashion arriving in Portaferry some two hours later in a bedraggled, cold and hungry state.

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Cycling’s Coastal Challenge

The most popular cycling event in the country takes to the roads this weekend, taking in some of the most beautiful scenery in Ireland, the beautiful coast road around the Ards Peninsula. With the entry being capped at 700, there are many disappointed cyclists who failed to take the warning that places in this event would fill up fast. However, for those who have been successful, they can look forward to one of those challenges that is eminently ‘do-able’ even for the more inexperienced cyclists.

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Charity Cycle Challenge

The big charity cycle event, the North Down Coastal Challenge is looming close and many residents of North Down are honing their skills for what is going to be an epic adventure.  Once again there is a huge entry for the most popular cycling event in the country and terry Nicoletti and his crew have spent countless hours in preparation for what promises to be a memorable event, which will take place on Saturday 21st June.
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