Despite the poor weather in the early part of the year, last weekend local cyclists were glad to see the first evidence of the better weather promised by the Met office for June.
Paying particularly close attention to the forecasts are the club members responsible for organising the annual running of The Coastal Challenge on Fathers day, Sunday 16th June, when NDCC invite cyclists from all over the country to come and join them for a relaxed tour of the peninsula in the company of 1000 likeminded individuals.
Organising committee chairman, Tim Johnston, expressed his delight that, despite the poor weather over the last few months, entry levels were good and he fully expected the entry list to be filled to quota before the event.
Sign on will be at the Bangor Sportsplex on the old Belfast Road where entrants waiting for the off will have the opportunity to browse the latest equipment from Scott, Meridia and Trek who will be attending with trade stands along with the event’s main sponsor, Podium4sport.
After leaving the Sportsplex, entrants follow the picturesque (and reasonably flat!) coast road around the Ards peninsula with a stop for a welcome bowl of stew and other sustenance at Barholme in Portaferry before heading back to the Sportsplex to receive their commemorative t-shirt and have a chat with their fellow cyclists over tea and coffee.
As well as being an excellent day out for cyclists of all abilities from nervous beginners to hardened veterans, over the years the Bangor Coastal Challenge has supported a number of charities and last year some with around 1000 entrants taking part the event raised £13000 was donated to various charities.
This year the main charities which will be supported are one again CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) and the Make-A-Wish foundation, both of whom do excellent work locally.
So for anyone who fancies a grand day’s cycling, sign up online at Coastal Challenge and do some good, both for yourself and for worthy causes.