¼ mile hill climb, Begney Hill Road (map)
13 September 2012
The final round of the 2012 Dromara Cycling Club league took place at the traditional Begney Hill Road with a ¼ mile hill climb from the main road through the village of Dromara up to the first peak. The daylight was fading quickly as the riders gathered up to start around 7 pm. Twenty-three riders turned out to have a blast up this steep hill. It was a dry but windy night with the wind in the rider's favour, blowing them up the hill.
First away was Gary Bailie who set the first time of the night of 1 minute 19.10 seconds. Next to go, one minute behind Gary was the 2012 league winner Gavin Magowan who set a time of 1:01.23. Next away was visitor Matthew Adair (Banbridge CC) who finished under 1 minute with a time of 56.81 seconds. This was the fastest time of the night. Gary Gibson was fourth to go with the remaining riders following at the same one minute gap. Among the riders was junior rider Adam Wilson, who hadn't far to travel to this event! Back for another year was young rider Ben Wilson who was out to beat his time that he set last year which he did by over 20 seconds. Richard Cowan surprised everyone with a superb time of 1:02.80. Last rider to go was Ronnie Smyth, who has been the fastest Dromara rider on this climb over the past 4 years and this year he JUST managed to do it again when he pipped Gavin by a mere 0.02 of a second.
Well done to all the riders and many thanks to the timekeepers and marshals.
Timekeepers: Trevor Wright and John Clyde
Marshals: Bernie Monaghan and Martin Mullan.
Photographs and report: Martin Grimley
Gary Bailie
