10 mile time trial - Lurgan Road, Dromore (map)
07 June 2012
The rain was persistent all day, grey cloud from the ground up. A text message was sent out to all riders to ensure they had a working rear light for tonight's time trial on the Lurgan Road out of Dromore. The replies to the text message came quickly with only a few saying "thanks for the reminder, see you there" and the majority saying "thanks but I'll not be going out on a night like that"!! A real stinker of a day but for the organisers the show had to go on. This was round 11 of the club's league and at the side of the road there was a line up of hardy riders, some "warming up" on turbo trainers, others cycling up and down the road. In total there were 17 'ducks' who didn't mind a bit of percipitation.
This round, in combination with a return to the same venue in late August, is being sponsored by a new trophy, fastest combined time across both rounds. Many thanks to Richard Morgan of Saville's Motor Homes in Hillsborough for putting up the trophy which will be awarded at the prize night at the end of the year.
First away at 7 pm was Chris Magowan. Riders were then given one minute gaps with Gary Bailie off next followed by Gavin Magowan. The time keepers and spectators were hiding under umbrellas which were useful in the shelter behind the tall brick building but further down the road the riders 'enjoyed' the strong wind which was a headwind on the way back and did not make for a fast night on this otherwise 'quick' circuit.
Fastest on the night was Gavin Magowan who completed the 10 mile distance in 23 minutes and 14 seconds. Twenty seven seconds slower was Ronnie Smyth with Chris Magowan and John Clyde finishing on the same time, just over a minute slower than Ronnie. Visitor Junior John McAuley completed in 25:08 with Trevor Wright 30 seconds behind him and another visitor, junior rider David Montgomery finishing strongly in a time of 26:18.
Comparing the riders' times to their average for this distance only 3 riders had improved on their time, Gavin Magowan by 15 seconds which gave him 40 points for the league table, Trevor Wright by 9 seconds gave him 39 points, and Ted McKibbin by 3 seconds to give him 38 points.
Well done to all riders who braved the rain and many thanks to the timekeepers and to the marshals for standing out in the foul weather.
Next Thursday night (14 June 2012) will be the 25 mile time trial on the Banbridge Road out of Castlewellan. There is also a 16 mile route on the same course. See website for details (www.dromaracc.co.uk).
Timekeepers: Davy Robb and David Chambers
Marshals: Barry Kane, David Hawthorne, Gary Gibson, Marcus Magowan, Noel Gibson.
Photographs & report: Martin Grimley
