3-up 10 mile time trial, Annahilt circuit (map)
30 August 2012
A new event was introduced to the Dromara Cycling Club Thursday night league with a team event in the form of a three rider team time trial (3-up TT). This round was being held on the 10 mile circuit between Annahilt and Ballynahinch. Club riders were asked to pre-enter via the club's message board so that teams could be created by race secretary Gavin Magowan. Gavin used the rider's average times for a 10 mile distance to split the riders into 3 groups. The fastest, the slowest and the ones in between. Each team then had one rider from each of these 3 groups. Riders had to work efficiently together to complete the distance with the clock stopping when the third rider crossed the line. With the teams set up as above it was likely that the finish times for each team would be quite similar. Neighbouring clubs were also keen to get involved and had contacted the club asking permission to enter a 3-rider team from their club.
In total there were 14 teams of three on the road with one team of four. The first team (Trevor Wright, Anthony Quinn and Gary Gray) set off around 7 pm on a fine evening. They headed towards Ballynahinch before swinging left onto the Ballycreen Road, then left onto the Glebe Road then left again back onto the Hillsborough/Ballynahinch Road. The next team (Tommy Downey, Barry Kellett and David Hawthorne) set off one minute later with the other teams also starting at one minute intervals.
The fastest team on the night was Ronnie, Brendan and Nathan who crossed the line in 25 minutes and 12 seconds. Just 14 seconds slower was the team of Trevor, Tony and Gary with the next team (Gary B, Ryan C and junior rider Zak) just 12 seconds behind them. Well done to all the competitors.
A special thanks to Conor who stepped up to timekeeper for the first time and to the many marshals who were busy looking after the three main junctions. We could have done with one or two more marshals at these busy junctions!
Next Thursday (6 September 2012) will be the 4-mile hill climb up Clonveraghan Road. See website for details (www.dromaracc.co.uk).
Timekeeper: Conor Rice
Marshals: John McGuigan, Michael Mullan, Mary Hunter, Eddie Doyle, Brian Wilson, Lisa Millar, Kyle Irvine and Paul Gick.
Photographs and report: Martin Grimley
