Third World Tour - April 2008

Dromara Cycling Club
support the Third World Tour organised
by Downpatrick Third World Pedalpushers

Sunday 27 April 2008
Downpatrick Cricket Club

Downpatrick Third World Pedalpushers turned on the sunshine at Downpatrick on Sunday for their Third World Tour. With both families and club riders supporting this event it was Dromara Cycling Club which took the prize for the most riders, seventeen in all [Anne, Paul, Trevor, Neill, Neal, Bill, Ben, Bob, Peter, Davy, Nigel, John, Ross, Paul Smyth, Gary, Alan and Maeve].

The PSNI and motorbike marshals escorted the hardy cyclists throughout the event, allowing riders to proceed unhindered through most junctions. The main events offered two distances, 85 km and 56 km and this allowed riders to travel along some very scenic, quiet roads. The main event headed through Clough towards Castlewellan turning twice to keep off the main roads. Then on to Bryansford and Newcastle, before turning back to Clough for a refreshment stop. The first group of sixty plus riders reformed at Clough and then turned for the coast enjoying a couple of hilly loops around Bright before heading on to Ardglass and Strangford. A sting in the tail was given by climbs through Raholp and Saul. With tea stops at the halfway point and refreshments in the Cricket Club after the event everyone was well looked after.

The family cycle attracted a good crowd and with their route travelling along a 12 mile stretch of footpaths and safe roads everyone was happy.

Many thanks must go to Marie Boyle, Bridget Donald, Brenda Gribben, Iris Lynch, Marie McGlogan and Moira McKenna for all their hard work and effort. They have already booked the same date for next year and want to make it even bigger and better. All the cycling fraternity wish them every success in their future fundraising activities.