Sunday 18 April 2010
| On
Sunday 18 April 2010 Ben McKelvey, in conjunction with Dromara Cycling
Club, organised a charity cycle around the Ards Peninsula. Ben, aged 16, has been a member of
Dromara for a number of years. He lost his mother to cancer last year
and decided to organise a fund raising event for Marie Curie. Over 150 people turned up at Strangford Lough Yacht Club for the 50 mile charity cycle. There was the usual strong turn out from Dromara CC but many other clubs were represented including Ards CC, Banbridge CC, Lanterne Rouge, Northern / Dave Kane, Phoenix CC and a group called the Stranmillis Downhillers. It was also impressive to see so many cyclists who were not members of any cycling club turning out to support such a worthy cause. The ride started at Whiterock at 10am with two police outriders leading the way to Comber. From there the route to Portaferry skirted Newtownards and passed through Greyabbey and Kircubbin before arriving at the lunch stop at Portaferry. After lunch the riders then went over to Strangford on the ferry. Vouchers had been provided at the sign on. The last 20 miles to Whiterock via Quoile Bridge, Killyleagh and Balloo proved a challenge for the amateurs but many of the club cyclists returned in under 3 hours. Soup and sandwiches and a bar were available in the club house at the yacht club for all when they finished. The consensus afterwards seems to have been that it was a great day and great event for a great cause. Ben should put it on again next year!! Many thanks for all who helped and/or cycled and helped to raise in excess of £2,500 for Marie Curie. Report by Bill McKelvey |     |
Photos by Bob Patterson
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 On the ferry |  Over to Strangford |