Club League Round 6 – Flatfields Road Race

by Rich · May 7, 2014

With the Giro Pro’s in town it was only right that Dromara CC stepped up and showed how to put on a real road race. The important thing to note about this race is that the name doesnt quite tell the whole story. The route has a rather nasty drag all the way to the finish line and beyond – Flat it is not.

Elim Church Car Park was open for all to park in and get the bikes race prepared. The night started a tad breezy but dry, however the dark clouds were not far away and half way around the heavens opened. When riding in this type of weather it very important that you know the rules

Rule #9
// If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.

Fair-weather riding is a luxury reserved for Sunday afternoons and wide boulevards. Those who ride in foul weather – be it cold, wet, or inordinately hot – are members of a special club of riders who, on the morning of a big ride, pull back the curtain to check the weather and, upon seeing rain falling from the skies, allow a wry smile to spread across their face. This is a rider who loves the work.

The Groups had been announced prior to arriving but due to what must have been a typo a few riders were put in the wrong group – thankfully Gary Bailie was able to point this out and get it rectified. Graeme C got the big kudos for the night for upgrading himself to scratch.

Group 3 had quite a number of riders in it and it was only some super fast riding from Group 4 that saw them caught at the start of Lap 3 which saw a large group form however this was blasted apart not long after with Gary B, Tommy D, Trevor, Neill C, Paul M & Ivan B. This the rest behind to find any wheel they could to hide from the wind.

Scratch as ever had been hunting down the groups and could just see the final Group on the final lap. On the last corner Neill C made his attack to take the victory with a strong finishing Gary B in second and Paul M in third. Nathan M was the first scratch rider over the line right behind Paul M. Clearly the handicaps seemed to be spot on for this race.

A HUGE thanks to the marshals who stood out at the corners for the riders.
Eddie, Linda F & daughter, Kevin W, Marcus, Michael M, Noel G, Paul G, Peter B, Raymund M, Stephen W, John H.
Thanks to Gary G for being head marshal, lead driver and then standing out in the rain.
Thanks to Seamus Downey for jumping in as lead car.
Thanks to Pastor Alistair Ritchie for letting us use the Elim church car park.
A big thanks though to the young timekeeping squad of Olivia, Sam and Caolan. Thanks to Martin for leading the timekeeping team. Brian W came along to assist Martin as did Trevor A. These two were also able to grab onto the gazebo to make sure it didn’t take off to Oz ! Thanks guys.
A big thanks as well to Fritz, who I hope has captured the other placings.

The results are below with the great photos by Fritz :