4 mile hill climb - Clonveraghan (map)
19 September 2013
The final event of the 2013 club league for Dromara Cycling Club was the short hill climb up Begney Hill. This climb is just 0.25 miles in length but is quite steep and starts almost immediately from the junction in the village of Dromara. With fading light at this time of the year it is the perfect event to finish off the season. There was the coveted Begney Hill cup at stake for the fastest rider.
Sixteen riders came along to participate and were greeted with a cold wind which was thankfully blowing the correct way for the hill climb. Having arrived early, the winner of this hill climb for the past 5 years, Ronnie Smyth, was on the turbo trainer warming up.
Sign on took place quickly, stop watches were synchronised and the riders were lined up at the bottom of the climb while Martin ran to the top.
The first rider to set off was Paul Gick, the oldest competitor who will be turning 70 in November. He was followed one minute later by Gavin Magowan who managed to pass Paul on the way to the finish line. Gavin was the fastest time on the day to beat at 57.43 seconds. Youth rider Matthew Gibson took on the climb and actually went faster than his dad Noel. Youth rider Ben Wilson and junior rider Zak Hanna both set personal bests. Youth rider Anthony Quinn was there for this first time with his dad, also called Anthony catching him before the finish line. Ryan Calvert then set the new time to beat when he arrived up at 56.43 seconds. Ronnie was the 13th rider to start but as he rounded the final ascent he didn't look as strong as he had done in previous years and his time reflected that with a finish of 59.17. In total there were 5 riders who climbed Begney Hill in under one minute and this time there will be a new name on the trophy, Ryan Calvert.
Well done to all the riders. This is a short but very tough climb. That's it for another year. On behalf of the race committee, we hope you enjoyed the season. Best of luck in your winter training.
Timekeepers: John Clyde and Martin
Marshals: Marcus Magowan
Photographs: Marty McAnulty
Report: Martin Grimley
