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.