10 mile time trial, Spa - Seaforde (map)
31 March 2011
Spa lake outside of Ballynahinch was the start point for the first round of Dromara Cycling Club's Thursday night league 2011. This was first opportunity for the club members to break out their summer road bikes and reveal how much preparation they had been doing over the winter months. The format of the evening was a '2-up' time trial where riders compete in a pair to set the fastest time over the 10 mile course. The first two events of the season are in this format and, as an extra incentive, the winners of the fastest combined time across both events receive the coveted '2-up' trophy which was sponsored by John Patterson of Versatile Windows. The 5 mile route was along the undulating road from the lake to Seaforde where the marshals turned the riders for the push back to the finish line.
After a very blustery day the wind eased off to leave a mild, dry evening. Forty riders gathered up and were busy chatting as they got signed on with a few buying some new club kit for the season ahead. Riders got underway around 6:45 with the first pairing of Conor Rice and Paddy McDonald trying out time trialling for their first time. Just 30 seconds behind them came our youth riders Zak Hanna and Christopher Weir with another new face, Gareth Kirkwood teaming up with Massimo Manganaro who started racing with the club this time last year. Setting off in 7th place were another two new faces Davy Young and Colin Roy who have been out mountain biking over the winter. Another mountain biker coverting to the road bike was Peter Murtagh who teamed up with fellow MTBer Dennis McMullan. Stephen Wallace was on his own tonight when his cycling partner Michael Cassidy got a puncture on the way to the event and had to turn back. At the back of the line up was Kyle Irvine and Dianne Keys, more MTBers trying out time trialling. Guests tonight were Davy Quinn and Tony Hare from Apollo CT and John Ruddell (Ards CC) who teamed up with Bob Patterson.
First two away were the first two back and they newcomers Conor and Paddy set a great time of 28 minutes 14 seconds. Fastest on the night was solo rider Ronnie Smyth who set a time of 24 minues and 8 seconds which brother Gavin and Chris Magowan only just missed out on beating as they finished just one second behind. There was a big gap of 1 minute and 15 seconds between these three and the next fastest pairing which was the Apollo CT guys who were 20 seconds up on Gary Gray and Paul Mawhirt. Neill Currie and Nigel Sudlow were the only other pairing to finish under 26 minutes with their time of 25m 50s.
Youth riders Zak and Chris finished just inside 29 minutes with the fastest mixed pairing, Mary Hunter and Stephen Younge finishing in 29m 45s. Brendan Monaghan took part in his first time trial since he was aged 16, (more than a few years ago!!), and teaming up with wife Bernie they completed the distance in just under 34 minutes.
Many thanks to the timekeepers and all the marshals. Round 2 is next Thursday (7 April 2011) and will the second of the 2-up time trials which will take place on the Downpatrick Road just outside Ballynahinch. Sign on from 6:10 pm - first away at 6:30 pm.
Timekeeper: Ian Proctor & Anne Maguire
Marshals: Raymund Martin, Gary Gibson and Noel Gibson.
Report & photographs: Martin Grimley
