| Dromara Ladies attend the Ulster Women's Association Training Day | |
| Saturday 10 October 2009 The Cycling Ulster Women’s Association held a successful training camp based at the Valley Leisure Centre, Newtownabbey today (Saturday). Forty riders attended the event that contained a morning training spin, an afternoon talk on nutrition and workshops on the future of Women’s Road Racing and Mountain Biking in the province We all had a great day and plenty of Dromara ladies, myself,Bernie,Therese, Mary, Antje, we were out on the road bikes and mountain bikers there was Diane Keys, Gillian Armstrong and another lady but i dont know her name. The day got underway by the Women’s Association Chair, Louise Fullerton briefing the road riders about the day ahead and Mountain Bike representative on the Cycling Ulster Executive, Ciara MacManus doing the same with the Off Road contingent. We were split into two groups, A group stayed out a bit longer and was a bit faster and the B group wasnt out as long and slower. The Dromara ladies went out with the faster group we did around 30 miles av 15.2 Cycling Ulster’s Talent ID Officer, Anthony Mitchell was out too. The Mountain bikers went to Cavehill with Ciara MacManus and they were out for 2 hours. We all got back to Valley Leisure Centre before lunch time had a shower and then lunch. Following a break for lunch, Nutritionist and Sports Science Lecturer, Darren McWilliams give the attendees an insight into ‘fueling for success’. McWilliams covered a number of areas including general food types and how much of them are necessary for regular cyclists. Ciara MacManus then give an insight into the Off Road disciplines, including a presentation on Mountain Biking and Cyclo-cross. The Cycling Ulster Executive member has already been instrumental in developing a leisure and social style atmosphere for this side of the sport, and this philosophy will continue through Winter Mountain Bike spins planned from now until Christmas. On the competition front, it was pointed out that those interested in this side of the sport should try the racing events in both Cyclo-cross and Mountain Biking to ensure Women only competitions are viable. Organiser of the 2009 Ulster Women’s Road League, Louise Fullerton delivered the final presentation of the day. The Ballymena Road Club member led the discussion on this year’s league, with several suggestions from the floor for next year’s series being taken on board for further consideration. Other possible ventures for the Women’s Association were also put forward, including a time-trial league and a trip to an indoor velodrome. So overall it was an enjoyable day and meeting so many new faces Report by Caroline Patterson Photos by Louise Fullerton |     |
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