With the Olympics games in full swing over in London and the TV screens filled with a wide range of sports, including lots of success for Team GB cyclists, it was great to see that local riders were happy to get away from their TV screens, get on their bikes and take on their own challenge. Dromara Cycling Club have been putting on their Mourne Sportive and Hilly leisure tours in some format for over 20 years taking in the undulating County Down countryside. This years event took place on Sunday 5 August and, as in previous years, there was a choice of four distances to choose from. For those new to cycling or who fancied an "easy" day there was the 'Hilly 60', 60 kilometres of moderate hills to get around. Stepping up from the '60' was the 'Hilly 85', 85 kilometres which included some of the tough climbs including the Cornmill, Dree Hill and the Windy Gap. The most popular route was the "Hilly 125". This took in the same course as the Hilly 85 as far as the tea stop before heading off into the Mournes to take on Spelga and Coyle's Hill. For those who could not get enough hills there was the big challenge of the 'Mourne Sportive' which was billed as "Welcome to Hell". This covered the same as the Hilly '125' and then added in more climbs to give an overall 169 kilometres and approximately 11,000 feet of climbing.
The 'Mourne Sportive' attracted 21 riders who started on the road at 8 am. These riders got away with a dry start to their day but were caught further down the road in a heavy downpour which arrived about 8:30 am. This downpour affected the start area and meant having the sign on desks for the 'Hilly' events moved into the club house for the Dromara Village Football club. As the rain fell heavily the organisers stood looking out into the deserted car park wondering if anyone would turn up for the 'Hilly' events. After 20 minutes the rain eased and then the riders appeared from their cars, where they were wisely seeking shelter, to sign on and get their wristband. At 9:30 the Hilly riders were all gathered up in the entrance lane to the football club, the pre-event briefing was given and then they set off behind a lead motorbike. The 'Hilly 60' attracted 9 riders, the 'Hilly 85' around 50 and the 'Hilly 125' around 130. The 'Hilly 60' riders went straight up through Dromara village while the rest went left just past Square One pub. The group stayed largely together until they reached the infamous Cornmill which was made even more challenging with the early morning rain. After the Cornmill the bunch had split into lots of smaller groups of riders. See video link below.
Thankfully the day remained dry, overcast and warm. All distances shared the same tea stop at Fontenoys GAA grounds in Leitrim where the large marquee, which had been put up for the Leitrim Festival, was the perfect venue for a break and chance to sit down and eat with friends. The club sincerely thank local companies Kerry Foods, Muller and PRM for their donation of excellent food and drinks. The Mourne Sportive riders had a second tea break at Meelmore Lodge where they were well fed with an excellent spread of food laid on by the staff at the Lodge.
When the riders had returned to the Dromara Village Football Club they received a commemorative gift and a tasty burger provided by a local supplier and cooked by members of the football club as part of their fundraising.
Many thanks to all the riders for coming along and supporting the club. We do hope you enjoyed yourselves and hope to see you all again next year.
The club wish to thank:
- Dromara Village Football Club for the use of the facilties and the BBQ afterwards
- Leitrim GAA club
- Meelmore Lodge
- Team Vision Racing - organising the food sponsorship
- Muller - for their popular rice pots
- Kerry foods, for the excellent Freshways sandwiches
- PRM for the Sunny D and Pingui bars
- Sign on: Lisa Miller, Brendan & Bernie Monaghan, Philip Boyle
- Car park attendants: Phillip Wilson
- The 'route markers'
- Grimley family for setting up the tea stop at Leitrim
- Brendan & Bernie Monaghan, David Fisher, Philip Boyle, Phillip Wilson for manning the Leitrim tea stop
- Philip Wilson for sorting out the Meelmore stop
- Brendan & Bernie for the return sign on desk
- Neill Currie for the keyrings and posters
- Andrew and Noel for the motorcycle outriders
Report and pictures by Martin Grimley
Video taken at the Cornmill here
Photos and video by Gavin here
