North Down CC finished off its 40th anniversary year in grand style with a Gala Ball and awards ceremony, held in the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel. Over 200 members, non-cycling partners and distinguished guests, enjoyed a hugely entertaining evening celebrating the club’s achievements over four decades.
Established in 1977, NDCC has grown over the years into one of the largest and most successful clubs in Ireland. With over 300 active members, we now offer a wide range of cycling options from a youth development programme, to leisurely “bun runs”, through to top category multi-stage racing. Based in Bangor, the daily club runs have enviable access to the scenic Ards Peninsula and the more challenging terrain to be found throughout County Down. Amazingly, when Strava published its annual End of Year Insights for 2016, the Ards region rode away with the top spot for highest average speed! No surprise to our distinctive “pink and black” café racers.
In line with the club’s racing heritage, NDCC hosts a unique series of races around the Kirkistown motor racing circuit. These popular events offer safe, competitive racing for riders of all ages and abilities, and we regularly welcome over 100 competitors from NDCC and neighbouring clubs. Come April, children as young as three and hard-bitten A1 riders, eagerly anticipate the elbow to elbow, lung bursting, always sunny, evenings at the track.
The annual NDCC Coastal Challenge is established as a firm favourite in the sportive calendar, with up to 1,000 cyclists enjoying the fairly flat, 100km circuit of the Ards Peninsula. The event is made possible by the enormous volunteering effort from club members and generous donations from our loyal sponsors – Chain Reaction Cycles, Reid Black Solicitors, Bokhara Restaurant Bangor and Bow Bells Restaurant Donaghadee. Proceeds from the event are donated to local charities.
NDCC has a reputation for warmly welcoming new members and for making a contribution to all aspects of cycling culture. Membership for 2018 opens on 1 December 2017 and further details are available on the club website.
The late Gavin Moore
Sadly, our anniversary year was marred by a tragic road traffic incident in July, in which Gavin Moore lost his life and other club members were seriously injured. Gavin was a remarkable person with the most engaging personality. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, work colleagues and the cycling community. NDDC is committed to cycling safety and this will be our enduring legacy to Gavin’s memory. #seethecyclist