10 mile time trial, Annahilt Circuit (map)
14 April 2011
A dark, damp evening greeted the cyclists for Dromara Cycling Club's Thursday night league which was a 10 mile time trial around the Annahilt triangle. The circuit was changed from last year as the nearby Pinewick furniture was having a closing down sale and the traffic around the showroom would have made it dangerous for time trialists to be finishing among. Sign on took place at the usual spot on the Riverside Road and, despite the damp conditions, 37 riders took part among them were three guests from other clubs and one unattached rider.
The start was further up the Lisburn Road near the Laurel Road junction with riders lined up tight to the kerb to keep out of the way of the busy traffic. First rider away was youth Zak Hanna around 6:55 pm. Riders were let off at 30 seconds intervals and had to race down towards the junction, take left onto Ballycreen Road, Ballycreen Road turns into the Ballykeel Road which joins up to the Glebe Road for another left hand turn. At the end of Glebe Road the riders turn left again and head straight for Ballynahinch where the finish was just outside the urbanisation.
Gavin Magowan was 7th away but the first one back and was the fastest on the night setting a time of 24 minutes and 17 seconds on a very undulating course. Brother Chris was second fastest just 22 seconds slower with another Magowan, Marcus, taking third place just 16 seconds behind Chris. Simon Welby (TVR) was the only other rider to finish under 25 seconds with team mate Damien McDonald completing the distance in 25m 31s. John Clyde set another good time, 26m 03s, 20 seconds ahead of Noel Gibson with Philip Boyle just 9 seconds slower. Guest Stephen McCamley (Castlereagh CC) was 9th just ahead of joint 10th place, both named Gary, Gary Gray and Gary Gibson on 26m 51s. Mary Hunter was the only woman to compete but pulled out half way around. Young ZakHanna finished in 29m 32s.
Many thanks to the timekeepers and all the marshals. Round 4 is next Thursday (21 April 2011) and will be an individual 10 mile time trial on the Crossgar Road out of Ballynahinch. Sign on from 6:15 pm - first away at 6:30 pm.
Timekeeper: Nigel Sudlow & Philip Wilson
Marshals: Brendan Monaghan, David Robb, Dennis McMullan, Paul Jess, Robert McDonald, Ronnie Smyth, Bobby Archer, Raymund Martin
Report & photographs: Martin Grimley
