Tuesday 27 June 2017

Carryduff - league#6 (27th July 2017)

For another adventure on the Carryduff- Ballygowan circuit.

Bit of wind, threatening to rain (but didn’t), clammy at the start….but didn’t notice it thereafter. Minds were elsewhere I suspect! Mark Millar was the top dog for the evening, closely followed by Messrs’ Morrison and Kane.

Mark Hanna demonstrated his superiority to the next group, many of whom allegedly “had to stop at the roadworks”

Aye the roadworks……. Geraldine even stopped for a break there and still did enough to show hubby who is boss. Although I said Mark was top dog, we’ll refine a male canine reference for the top lady too.! (the other alternative references don’t work too well :-)

Well done all.
Thanks to Carl for stepping into the breach / hot seat to make it all possible and timekeeping…Have a great hol…too.

Results
 
Mark Millar            26.32
Peter Morrison         26.40
Mark Kane              26.49
Mark Hanna             29.40
Cathal Quinn           29.39
Conor McGandy          30.25
Paul Hetherington      31.57
Conor Preshaw          32.13
Geraldine Sharkey      33.27
Desi McHenry           33.30
Frank Sharkey          33.40
Gary Hazlett           38.15

Tuesday 13 June 2017

Temple - league#5 (13th June 2017)

The first Post-election Temple TT

Mid-point - Week 11 out of a 21 week calendar…. where the rubber hits the road….

There was an early assembly at the usual spot in the filling station. With Ramesh, as MC calming the participants, while Geraldine was out doing a pre-course reccy (ok maybe not). She had decided to experiment, and park at the new roundabout, and let the excitement build before Desi couriered the sign-up sheet to get things moving.

Relaxed anticipation filled the pleasant, slightly balmy air, with little if any wind. Aficionados (from Mexico) said it was a perfect night for a TT. After the timekeepers had got the bike-sheep rounded up, signups complete and call out order ready, we noticed a svelte machine flying up the other side of the road. Looked uncannily like Mr Kiwi. On closer inspection one could see Carl in go-faster Onesie: a suit enough to make any man jealous…

Considered by some as a 4 way handicapped team event between D- Kaners, Café Velo and Olympian A & B. the teams were split to ensure no team tactics could be at play. In the end it was the mixed Olympian Mixed team of Heather, Gary and Desi that won the team tussle.

In other results, Neville had the standout performance just 1 sec off Mark K, and Mark Millar a close 3rd…and some strong performances further back. Besides the rumour that there was a new spectator out on the course, there was speculation that Glen, Vaughan and a few others met at the roundabout, and saw no one else and went home.(You were missed J)

Thanks to Ramesh and Geraldine for keeping us safe, and taking times….

Good night had by all.
Results
 
Mark Kane             24.11
Neville O’Neill       24.12    
Mark Millar           24.38
Peter Morrison        24.49
Richard Graham        26.14
Mark Hanna            27.04
Enda Marron           27.12
Cathal Quinn          27.43
Conor Preshaw         28.58
Steve Begley          29.43
Carl King             30.23
Frank Sharkey         31.41
Peter McGuckin        32.53
Desi McHenry          34.15
Heather Bamford       35.13
Gary Hazlett          36.50
 
 
[Frank Sharkey]

Wednesday 7 June 2017

Temple 2LAP (7th June 2017)

The big one

Six intrepid adventurers chose to go into the wild, to go where few had gone before. Despite advice from friends and foe alike they went in pursuit of their dream of conquering “the big one.” Doing what most said, couldn’t and shouldn’t be done.

It was a wild evening where all forecasts were subject to microcosmic variations and inextricably low levels of accuracy. (Some would say that the weather changed every few minutes while a possible storm was brewing.) The ultimate test of the brave and hard cyclist was reaching a crescendo. Would the storm descend and extinguish the fire of all the cyclists in its path, or would it pass with a mere whimper, or something in between?

Six brave man-machines, with varying degrees of risk appetite flowing through their veins, chose to go into the unknown. Their search for inner glory was reflected in their weapon of choice. There was the full spectrum from full disc back wheels and deep-ish rim fronts, from standard handle bars to time trial aeros. Twas only a training night, but what a night. Some had fought in previous battles only 2 and 3 days before, and were already battle weary, but still adrenalin hungry. The chance and challenge of riding on such a night and the opportunity to meet face-to-face with the inner-winner, is a prize that few can truly understand and appreciate. These now immortal, hard men, can say I was there that night….and survived.

Respect commands itself and it can neither be given nor withheld when it is due.” 
(Eldridge Cleaver….apparently)

Well done chaps.
And thanks to the Gurkhas…for timekeeping and marshaling. (Geraldine, Carl and Frank)

Pic below of the (4 legged) spectators, who lined up in awe also. Now we know them all by name!

[Frank]

Results

Mark Millar       53.24
Peter Morrison   55.00
Enda Marron      58.24
Steve Begley      67.10
Conor Preshaw   31.24 (1)
Mark Hanna       33.20 (1)


TT Training 2019

2019 Rules

You must have a TI licence (a training licence is sufficient), be a member of a triathlon club and have working front AND rear lights on your bike. Cycling helmets are also mandatory. For events marked (ATH) - this means it is an athletes TT, meaning that no TT equipment should be used, such as TT bikes, TT bars, aero helmets etc. You can of course turn up with TT equipment, however, you should be prepared for general teasing and mickey taking as the penalty for doing so!

As we are riding on public roads, the rules of the roads apply. The committee have notified the PSNI of our plans for the season; being seen and riding safely are of paramount importance - these events are very enjoyable and will improve your time trialling, but we should all stay safe when participating in them and we all have a responsibility to ensure that this happens.

Calendar

August

27 - Titanic (Head to head final)

September
3 - Drumbo Hill Climb