Excellent turnout today despite so many other fixtures.
Around 100 cyclists set out from Dromara at 9:30 this morning some to tackle the 60 mile but most covered the 80 longer mile option taking in the scenic lanes around the bays of Strangforde lough. Thankfully the weather was perfect all but a little windy in places particularly heading towards comber.
The 9:30 start was strictly adhered to by, as The Dave Kane lads and lasses were keen to be off having rode up in strong numbers to show their support. La Lanterne Rouge (Loughinisland) who have a tour next Sunday were also out in force. It was good to see all the old faces that turn out to all these leisure tours year after year and even better to see so many new faces just getting into organised cycling for the first time.
The route passed through Seaforde on the way to Ballynoe before joining the coast at Rossglass between Tyrella and St. John's Point and followed every available road and lane hugging the coast until the tea halt in Strangforde. Here club Chairman Jim McMaster and Dennis McMullan were well prepared, right down to garden furniture.
After a refill it was off to the Quoile bridge where the the 60 mile parted company heading back to Dromara via Ballynahinch while the remainder followed the along Strangforde lough again utilising the network of small country lanes.
Only two mechanicals on the day, that I know of. A blown tyre which we heard was being fed grass. I was the other causality loosing a pedal at Drumreagh bridge giving me a 10 mile left leg work out. It give me a chance to appreciate the effort of the three one legged cyclists we saw each year in Majorca
As for the benefactors of the money raised today, Stevie Baines and Children's Cancer Care Bryansforde will be receiving the money in the very near future. As you know there was a separate voluntary bucket for Stevie which I am sure contained a good sum. When I have the figure from Trevor I will post it on the site.
Thank you all for your support, hope you enjoyed your day and will return in August for the Hilly events.