10 mile time trial - Downpatrick Road, Ballynahinch (map)
2 June 2011
Finally, after battling cold and gusty winds and occasional rain we had our first summer evening for our club league on Thursday 2 June 2011. With temperatures in the low 20s and hardly a breeze 36 riders lined up for a 10 mile time trial along the Downpatrick Road just outside Ballynahinch. First away around 7 pm was the oldest competitor, Paul Gick, with next oldest Raymund Martin going off 9 places behind him. These two gents, both well over 65 years of age, compete just as strongly as the younger riders.
Riders were separated by 30 second gaps and headed off along the hilly road towards the turn. The dips in the road meant that other road users were having difficulty getting around slower moving cars and there were a number of riders slowed down by traffic. The warm temperatures sapped the energy and there were a few recovering from the exertion by sitting or lying in the field. Fastest rider tonight was Gavin Magowan setting a time of 23 minutes and 49 seconds. Close rival Ronnie Smyth was timekeeping as he was heading for Donegal to do a 3 day race. Next fastest was Gavin's brother Chris just under 45 seconds slower. Rodney Stewart put in another fine performance finishing just over 30 seconds behind Chris with Neil Fitzsimons just 2 seconds slower than Rodney and Marcus Magowan just 1 second slower than Neil. John Clyde was getting held up with cars but still finished 6th fastest with Paul Mawhirt the only other rider to finish under 26 minutes.
For the league table the times set by the riders were compared to their average times for completing the same distance. Those who bettered their time got more points than those who did not and the one with the biggest gain got the maximum points, in this case 40. This week the biggest improver was Martin Marner who bettered his average by well over 4 minutes. Next best improved was Peter Swann (2½ minutes) then Paul Mawhirt (2 minutes 15 seconds).
Well done to all the competitors and a big thanks to the timekeepers and marshals. Round 11 will be a club road race on the Annahilt circuit next Thursday (9 June 2011).
Timekeepers: Ronnie Smyth and Geoff Brown
Timekeepers' assistants: Nigel Sudlow
Marshals: Paul Jess, Derek Hanna and David McClurg
Report and photos: Martin Grimley
