Temple - Athlete's TT (28th April 2015)

New this year is the introduction of an Athlete's TT. The idea is that the Temple course is rode on a standard road bike in non aero gear. Then, the following week the same course is done with race gear on and the time difference (if any) can be seen.

Results

Girl

Emma Kerr           33:52

Boys

 
Mark Kane           26:28
Mark Millar         27:04
Gavin Browne        27:52
Peter Morrison      28:06
Mark Hanna          28:37
Vaughan Purnell     29:18
Enda Marron         29:35
Paul Hetherington   30:30
Steve Begley        30:40
Desi McHenry        30:59
Peter McGuicken     35:30

Thanks to David and Bill for timekeeping.

Carryduff - League#2 (21st April 2015)

A perfect dry and bright evening for the first time out on the Carryduff course in 2015. The TT started on time with the riders going out in 30 second intervals.

Recently retired Dave Lonnen who has all day free (just joking) still managed to be late. Luckily he fitted nicely into the end of the results with his time bell ringing through to the finish.

Due to popular demand [not really] here is an adapted cycling joke you will be chortling about until next week.

Mr. Kane and Mr. Browne of Team Kaners decide one day to have a go at tandem biking. Both metrosexual guys they immediately shop for cycle clothing to match the tandem bike before considering the seating arrangements. Kane, the lighter of of the pair and excellent at steering opted for the front seat. The back seat was then left for Browne; always the back of the pantomime horse. 

First day out Kane and Browne head straight to Drumbo Hill to have a go at the classic, end of season, TT hill climb. "Jeepers, that was a tough climb" said Kane, leaning over, breathing hard. "That climb was so hard, and we were going so slow, I thought we were never going to make it." 

 "Yeah, good thing I kept the brakes on," said Browne, "or we'd have slid all the way back down!"

Results

Sunglasses on ladies

Emma Kerr                34:52
Joanne Bingham           36:03

Hair combed back boys

Mark Kane                25:42
Mark Millar              27:11
Vaughan Purnell          27:52
Neville O'Neil           27:59
Neil Weir                28:18
Gavin Browne             28:45
Michael Sinton           29:02
Mark Hanna               29:20
Enda Marron              29:29
Bill Rafferty            30:47
Andrew McMurray          31:38
Glen Pollock             31:46
David Morrissey          32:10
Conor Preshaw            33:11
Paul Hetherington        33:12
Steve Begley             33:30
Conor McGandy            34:04
Desi McHenry             34:36
Peter McGuicken          34:39
Andrew McCormac          34:40
Dave Lonnen              34:43

Thanks to Claire and Peter Morrison for timekeeping.

Ballynahinch out and back (14th April 2015)

My homework this week was to express what the TT means to me. Here is my pretty answer:

There was a lucky escape for McHenry tonight when a car stopped hard in front of him. McHenry called on all his years' experience of running into the back of cars and managed to swerve around the back of the car. The manoeuvre  took the wing mirror off the car but McHenry managed to remain upright. Apart from a scraped left arm the wood-chopper was able to battle on.

Results

Headwind Girls

Emma Kerr     18:07 19:30 37:37
Ali McConnell 18:19 19:46 38:05

Tailwind Boys

Mark Kane         13:21 14:19 27:40
Peter Morrison    13:46 15:07 28:53
Vaughan Purnell   14:31 15:21 29:52
Gavin Browne      14:31 16:19 30:50

Chris McNevison   15:22 16:40 32:02
David Montgomery  16:33 17:54 34:27
David Morrissey   16:58 18:25 35:23
Paul Hetherington 17:13 18:37 35:50
Andy McMurray     17:50 18:29 36:19
Steven Begley     18:06 18:16 36:22
Conor Preshaw     17:27 19:09 36:36
Dave Lonnen       18:24 19:01 37:25
Desi McHenry      19:37 18:47 38:24
Peter McGuicken   18:46 20:08 38:54

Thanks to the excellent time-keepers on what is the most difficult course to manage.

Killynure - League#1 (7th April 2015)

It was a smooth start to the TT season on a windless and dry Tue evening. The first night is about dusting off the "race" bike and, for some, squeezing back into the "race" lycra. Everyone agreed it was good to be back.

The Killynure course is hilly, short and sharp and you definitely want to choose your gears carefully. Enda Marron, opting for a tougher workout, took the gearing decisions out of the equation by riding the course on a fixed gear bike.

Most improved over the winter appears to be Mark Hanna who is knocking minutes off PBs much to the consternation of his rivals.

Not that anyone ever "plays the age card" but it's interesting to see the range of ages at the TTs.
The oldest person signed up was born in 1947.
The youngest person signed up was born in 1993.

Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. 
- Leroy "Satchel" Paige


Results

Mark Millar                19:53
Mark Hanna                 20:29
Gavin Browne               20:30
Peter McWilliamson         22:23
Enda Marron                22:34
Stephen Begley             22:59
Andrew McCormick           23:03
Conor Preshaw              23:03
Stevie Smartt              23:19
Desi McHenry               24:16
Peter McGuickin            25:46

Thanks to the timekeepers Vaughan and Glen.