10 mile time trial, Crossgar Road, Ballynahinch (map)
2 August 2012
The club league continues for Dromara Cycling Club with Round 19 a 10 mile time trial on the Crossgar Road just outside the County Down town of Ballynahinch. Just like last week the riders were greeted with warm summer sunshine, however there was not the issue with road repairs which had cancelled last week's event. The Crossgar circuit has been used often by the club in the past but it is a tough, twisting course with lots of small hills which makes it an unpopular course hence the smaller than usual participants (19). This did mean an ample supply of volunteers to timekeep and marshal !!
Sign on got finished quickly with the first rider, Chris Magowan, away before 7 pm. The other riders followed at one minute intervals heading away from Banbridge towards the turning point. Fastest rider on the night was Aaron McGrady in a time of 25 minutes and 24 seconds. Visitor Cathal Smyth (Phoenix CC) was second just 4 seconds off Aaron's time with Chris Magowan third, 11 seconds behind Cathal.
When the times set tonight were compared against the average times for each rider for the same distance it was calculated who had made the best improvement (or in the case of this circuit, got closest to their average time). Taking all 40 points towards the club league was Martin McAnulty who has been making steady improvements in his riding technique and gradually improving his times throughout the season. Taking 39 points was junior rider Zak Hanna with Paul Mawhirt taking 38 points, Aaron McGrady 37 points and Ted McKibbin taking 36 points.
Well done to all the competitors and many thanks to the timekeepers and marshals and to Gavin for the photographs.
Next Thursday (9 August 2012) will be the Harry Ferguson Memorial road race at the Magheraconluce Road circuit. See website for details (www.dromaracc.co.uk).
Timekeeper: Bryce Hetherington and Ryan Mallon
Marshals: Adam Wilson, Barry Kane, Gary Bailie, Massimo Manganaro, Noel Gibson & son
Photographs: Gavin Magowan and Martin Grimley
Report: Martin Grimley
