10 mile time trial - Spa (map)
31 May 2012
It was another pleasant evening beside the picturesque Spa lake located just outside Ballynahinch in County Down. Thirty seven riders had gathered for a 10 mile time trial starting from the roadside beside the lake and heading to Seaforde where they turned to head back to the lake, as fast as they could. There was only a light wind which didn't help the return leg with temperatures around 18-20 degrees.
First rider away was Barry Kellett around 7 pm with the next 16 riders going at one minute intervals with the remaining riders setting off at 30 second intervals. Of the 37 taking part there were 9 visitors from other clubs including Sean Downey, Commonwealth Games medal holder who was expected to set a course record.
Coming along to spectate at tonight's event was local vintage bicycle collector Neil McCormick, who has a great collection of 40s and 50s racing bicycles. If anyone is interested in chatting to Neil you can contact him on neilmccormick11@hotmail.co.uk or on 07805776865.
Around 26 minutes later, with Marcus Magowan, the last rider to set off waiting for his final countdown to begin, Barry Kellett was coming back to complete the distance. From then on there was a steady flow of returning riders most on road bikes but with increasing numbers with time trial specific handlebars (aero bars), aero helmets and of course the full time trial bicycles. Sean Downey was seen in the distance catching up on junior rider Zak Hanna with brother Mark Downey just behind these two.
Sean set the record with a time of 21 minutes and 51 seconds. Next fastest was Dromara CC's Gavin Magowan in a time of 23:31. His main rival Ronnie Smyth was absent tonight as it was his birthday!! That left Gavin's brother Chris Magowan in third place with a time of 24:19. Dan Gordon (West Down Wheelers) was 4th in a time of 24:40 with Mark Downey finishing 5th in a time of 24:56. David Chambers was 6th with Marcus Magowan 7th.
Dromara club riders then have their times compared to their average 10 mile time trial times to see who has improved the most on an individual level. The bigger the improvement the more points the rider gains towards the club league. With his new aero bars on it was Paul Gick, the oldest club member, who improved the most going 2 minutes and 14 seconds faster than his average time to complete the same distance. The other improvers had much smaller increases with Colin Roy taking second with his improvement of 28 seconds, David Chambers third with 23 seconds, Gibson Chambers fourth with 17 seconds and Jonathan McBride fifth with 16 seconds.
Well done to all riders and many thanks to the timekeepers and to the marshals for keeping the riders safe.
Next Thursday night (7 June 2012) will be a 10 mile time trial on the Lurgan Road at Dromore. See website for details (www.dromaracc.co.uk).
Timekeepers: Peter Bryson and Davy Robb
Marshals: Gary Gray, Willie Skelly, Raymund Martin, Bobby Archer and Adam Wilson
Photographs & report: Martin Grimley
