On Sunday 8 May 2011 Dromara Cycling Club held their annual Coastal leisure cycling tour starting from the football club in Dromara village.  The route then takes the riders through Seaforde and cross country towards the coast, around the lovely St. John's Point then following the coast road up to Strangford for the tea stop.  
Sign on opened at 08:45 am and there was a steady stream of riders appearing for sign on.  Almost 130 riders had pre-registered to do the event but with the heavy rain the night before and overcast skies in the morning the organisers were not sure how many would turn up.  At 09:30 they were all gathered along the lane out of the football club and after a quick pre-event briefing they were lead up towards the centre of the village by motorcycle outriders.  Once the long train of riders cleared the gates the sign on team had a chance to count how many came along.  It seems the weather had not put off too many with over 250 signing up for a great spin around the County Down coast.

Over at Strangford the large gazebo had been erected on the green with flags and banners out to greet the riders.  Among those signed up there was a large turn out from Shimna Wheelers (19), Phoenix CC (17), Banbridge CC (12), La Lanterne Rouge (11), North Down CC (11) and ten from Cuchulainn CC in County Louth.  As expected there was a large turn out from the host club (58 riders) with over 70 not with any club.  There were lots of familar faces at this years event, just over 90 who had been there last year, but the event seems to keep attracting newcomers who hopefully enjoyed their day.

The sun started to break through the clouds around 11 am and it wasn't long after when the big group arrived.  There was a rush to get to the front of the queue for the sandwiches, bananas, sweet treats and some Muller rice which had been kindly sponsored.  With the cups of tea or coffee in the hands the riders then relaxed taking their time to eat and chat.  The clouds cleared the and riders were then able to enjoy the great views of Strangford Lough.  The bulk of the riders were away by 12 but there were still ones arriving, taking their time to enjoy the scenery.  There was such a demand for tea and coffee that the hot water ran out.  Thankfully the staff at The Cuan were on hand to refill the flasks.  Much appreciated.

From the tea stop the riders had a choice of routes back to the football club.  Either the short route across country to Ballynahinch then Dromara or the long route up the coast through Killyleagh towards Comber before returning via Lisbane, Saintfield, then Ballynahinch.   The short route was a 60 mile round trip while the long route was an 80 mile round trip.  Both routes proved difficult as the wind had come up and was very gusty at times.  Thankfully the sun continued to shine all afternoon.

Once back at the football club the riders were able to enjoy more food and relax and swap cycling stories.  

The club would like to thank:

• Dromara Village Football Club for the use of their building and parking
• the motorcycle outriders
• our food sponsor
• the club members who helped to mark the route, handle the adminstration at the sign on desk, made sandwiches and buns and to those who set up the gazebo and manned the tea stop in Strangford.
• and of course, a big thank you to all those who came along on the day.