14 February 2010
| Women's Training Day 14 February 2010 | |
| Sunday 14 February 2010 REPORT BY BERNIE MONAGHAN Five Dromara riders turned out for the Cycling Ulster Women's Association Training Day - Ann Maguire, Val O'Neill, Sonia McLaughlin (in her Dromara shorts), Caroline Patterson and myself. There were about 25 taking part. The first part of the day was the cycle which took us through Randalstown, Ahoghill, Cullybackey and back to Ballymena. Conditions were quite good, with just a fine mist of rain at times, but otherwise nice and sunny. The roads were full or pot-holes, some really big ones, and lots of muck on the Portglenone Road, which resulted in four or five riders crashing, as far as we know, no-one badly hurt. It was a realitively flat run with just a couple of long dragging hills, one called the Tully. Then it was back to Fitness First for a spinning session, which was really great and positive, and enjoyed by everyone. really good loud upbeat music and a great instructor, Brett Thompson. After that it was showers and on to Drumsilly Hotel for a lovely lunch, which was subsidised by Cycling Ulster (If we'd known that at the start we'd have ordered fillet steaks and dessert instead of sandwiches and salads and sharing an apple crumble between 5 of us!) The day was really well organised and only cost us a few pounds each, so we all got out for a meal for Valentine's Day - we thought Tommy Lamb or Ryan Connor might have presented us all with a rose, but it was not to be!. Marian Lamb took lots of photos which will no doubt be in her report - she even came into the spinnng class to snap us all sweating, puffing and panting, she stopped just short of bringing the camera into the showers. There's a weekend for Women next weekend at Meelmore Lodge. Great day, great crack and an average of 16mph. Thanks to Ryan, Marian Tommy and all involved. FROM CAROLINE It was a great day, a good run out on the bikes 30mls and the spinning class was great craic and some singing too. Tommy Lamb joined us in the class. The food was lovely at Dunsilly Hotel especially the apple crumble with ice cream and custard which was shared between a few of us. Thanks to Louise Fullerton, Ryan Connor, Marian and Tommy Lamb. Report on Cycling Ulster here Photo by Marian Lamb, Cycling Ulster  |  Val, Anne, Sonia, Bernie, Caroline  Photo by Marian Lamb, Cycling Ulster  Photo by Marian Lamb, Cycling Ulster  Photo by Marian Lamb, Cycling Ulster  Photo by Marian Lamb, Cycling Ulster |