10 mile time trial - Strangford Road, Downpatrick (map)
26 May 2011
There was a new venue for Round 9 of Dromara Cycling Club's Thursday night league with the riders gathering at our most easterly circuit on the Strangford Road out past the Quoile centre. With temporary traffic lights on this road the start was moved to a small laneway which still allowed a 5 mile distance with the turn just before the Churchtown Road.
All week we have suffered blustery conditions and tonight was no different with one member texting to ask if it was wise to run the event given the strong cross winds. However, this did not seem to put off 24 hardy riders who gathered up shivering in the cold winds just to challenge themselves against the clock. The night did feel like an October evening rather than May but around 7 pm the first rider, Philip Boyle set off. Heading off one minute behind was guest rider Peter Tohill with junior rider Zak Hanna going third. The remaining riders set off at one minute intervals with Cecil Conn (Phoenix) getting two starts as he had only got a short distance before pulling over to fix his rear wheel. Race secretary Nigel Sudlow also returned early with the gusty cross winds a factor in his retirement tonight.
Fastest on the night was Gavin Magowan who set a time of 24 minutes and 8 seconds, his fastest 10 mile this season. Second fastest was Ronnie Smyth in a time of 24m 16s, his fastest this year as well. Both riders chosing to use a rear disc wheel which provided some hairy moments when passing exposed areas of the course. Third fastest was Marcus Magowan who was pleased to have beaten his closest rival, Chris Magowan, by 18 seconds. John Clyde had another excellent ride, posting a time of 26m 16s , with Philip Boyle and Rodney Stewart, 6th and 7th only one second apart. Mountain biker Phil O'Neill was 8th fastest with first timer at our league event, Luke Ireland, another strong mountain biker 9th overall, one second ahead of veteran time trialer Noel Gibson.
Comparing the times set tonight with each rider's average time for the same distance, it was found that Ronnie Smyth made the biggest gain of 27 seconds over his average to take the maximum 40 points for the league. Gavin Magowan was 17 seconds faster than his average, John Clyde was 12 seconds ahead of average and Trevor Wright 8 seconds. All other riders posted a slower time than average on this circuit.
Well done to all the riders for coming along and competing. A big thank you to the timekeepers, assistants and all the marshals. Round 10 is next Thursday (2 June 2011) and will be a 10 mile time trial on the Downpatrick Road in Ballynahinch.
Timekeepers: Derek Hanna, Peter Bryson
Timekeepers' assistants: Stephen Younge, Geoffrey Magowan
Marshals: Ross Galway, Ryan Mallon, Ted McKibbin, Barry Kellett
Report and photos: Martin Grimley
