Ballymoney Cycling Club Newspaper Reports 2011
2011 No.37/38
Ballymoney Cycling Club
Girls in Olympic Trials.
Three Ballymoney Cycling Club girls, Ellen McAree, Aoife Cameron Mitchell and Caitie O'Hagan travelled to Wicklow
to take part in the Cycling Ireland 2020 elite athlete trials on Saturday 10th December.
The trials are designed to spot early talent and get them on course for the 2020 Olympic games.
Along the way they will be nurtured and developed with entries for the World Cup races and other championship
events.
The girls will then be admitted onto the Elite development squads and take part in teams representing Cycling
Ireland in Britain, and also on the European stage where they will get an opportunity to race against
the best woman riders in the world.
Weekend club runs,
Ballymoney Cycling Club runs at the weekends leave from Outdoor life at 9.30am for the riders who are intending to
race in 2012 and at 10.15am for the Health and Leisure riders who enjoy a more leisurely pace.
Sundays run leaves from the Ballymoney Rugby Club car park at the same times as Saturday.
2011 No.36
Girls get 1st and 2nd for
Ballymoney Cycling Club.
Aoife Cameron Mitchell and Ellen McAree were first and second in the Ulster
Championships at Ormeau park on Sunday. Aaron Swan was the first U14
in what is now becoming the "Aaron Swan show" Craig Crawford was 3rd in the U16
and Graeme Elliott was out in the M.T.B support Race.
Young Liam McAuley and brother Eoin were in the under 8's and under under 12's.
James and Rebecca Carlin were again in fine form in the Under 8s and 12's.
Stuarty Laverty despite being out on a fairly fast club run on Saturday
managed an excellent 5th place.
With the driving force and encouragement of Niall Carlin the BCC Off Road Team had
10 riders at Ormeau Park in Belfast for the Ulster series round 5 and in
conjunction with the Ulster Cyclo Cross Championships.
The weather was dull and overcast and the ground soon cut up making it a slog in the
soft and heavy under foot conditions.
The prestigious senior event was won by Roger Aiken from Banbridge, in second was young
Matthew Adair at 3 minutes and in 3rd was Conor Campbell from Newry.
Other local rider from Ballymoney was Jason Henry, who uses these tough events for conditioning
work now for the road season that starts in February. Also in action was Ballymoney schoolboy
Chris Surgenor, Chris rode and finished the under 14 race!
Ballymoney Results,
MTB Race
Graeme Elliott
Under16 race
Craig Crawford
Stuart Laverty
Under 14 Boys
Aaron Swan
Chris Surgenor
Under 14 Girls
Aoife Cameron Mitchell
Ellen McAree
Under 12's
Eoin McAuley
Under 10's
Rebecca Carlin
Under 8's
Liam McAuley
James Carlin
Coming Events
Ballymoney CC Kit Evening.
New Ballymoney CC kit for 2012 will be available to order from the Tuesday 6th December at Sketchers Coffee shop in
Bendooragh (7.30pm). This is an opportunity for everyone to attend and get their new kit for the new season.
Sample sizes will be on hand to assist in getting that area sorted.
2011 No.35
Garreth McBride, 1st for Ballymoney
CC
The reward for hard work and a desire to win is rewarded with the trappings
of success that follow. Fast improving, fast finishing Garreth
McBride from Ballymoney Cycling Club was head and shoulders above
his opposition as he took 1st place in the 5 race Interclub
series held this summer. Ballymoney Cycling Club, along with Bann
Wheelers, Ballymena Road Club, Carn Wheelers and Bann Valley CC
held an interclub road race series at each of their own
individual venues. The first event of the season kicked off at
Slaght outside Ballymena, and the Ballymoney rider McBride at the
fore all night getting 5th place in the final sprint. Ballymoney team mates Adrian Madden and Wayne Stevens were 8th and 9th.
The next round was Ballymoney's own event on the tough Stroan circuit at
Dervock/Stranocum.
Here Ballymoney took first and second with McBride and club rider Olly Bates
sharing the top placings.
With Bann Wheelers showing their strength in depth it looked like this series
was going too the wire.
Other BCC riders sharing in the success were Martin Carroll and Aaron Dickie
getting 6th and 8th.
As it was a clean sweep for local rivals Bann Wheelers, with Limavady man
Kyle Cromie winning at
Letterloan, the Bann men were now tightening their grip for the team prize
going into the final two rounds.
At Moneymore Ballymoney CC took 1st and 2nd place again. This time it was
Carn Wheelers Classic winner Steven McAllister who easily won the
sprint from his hard ridding team mate A. Madden and Aaron Dickie
getting 5th.
Into the final race and with eventual winner Garreth McBride having to sit
out the last race due to a high speed crash and a dislocated
collarbone a few weeks earlier at Portglenone. It was only McBride's determination and his belief
that he could still win the Interclub series overall drove him
on.
Top local time trialist Sean Kealy got first that evening in Kilrea and the
individual overall winner went to 2011 Club ofthe Year rider Garreth
McBride secured his success with 4th place. Ballymoney riders Adrian Madden and Steven
McAllister were 5th and 6th overall.
Ballymoney Cycling Club would like to congratulate Garreth on his prestigious
victory and also to Bann Wheelers for winning the team prize, a
big thank you goes to the race organisers and we are already getting the ball rolling for the
series again to be held in 2012.
Cycling Ireland AGM 2011
On Saturday the overall governing body of Irish Cycling held their AGM at the
Radisson Blu Hotel in Dublin city centre.
Delegates from clubs across Ireland were in attendance, and as Ballymoney CC
were nominated out of 7 other finalists for Cycling Ireland Club
of the Year 2011 it was to prove an exciting event.
AGM'S by their nature can be vocal with delegates and rightly so expressing their opinions. Those at the top table with the President Rory Wyley negotiating through the chair, were continuing secretary and recent visitor to Ballymoney CC also past President Jack Watson and Sam McArdle Treasurer. Anyone who knows will tell you that there is no better
man to keep tabs on the proceedings than the man from Dungarvan who has led by example all year. Motions to put £50 levy's onto all open events was
fiercely contested and after much discussion the members overturned it with a hefty
majority.
Maurice McAllister (BCC PRO) also a member of the All Ireland Road
Racing Commission was in attendance and submitted it's annual report along with the Off
Road, Track, Para-cycling and Woman's Commissions,
The Ballymoney man following the AGM is now tasked with rider and race
grading of local and national races. McAllister the now de facto chairman of the Commission is in
the process of rebuilding the racing structure here in Ireland. Looking closely at the
race calendar and the quality and relevance of the races and their benefit to the national
teams.
When asked following the AGM, McAllister said that he would take his time
in getting the right people into place, and will be travelling the length and breadth of Ireland to
meet the representatives of the four provinces. There are already some high profile names putting
themselves forward for a position in the Cycling Ireland Road Commission. The hard work now begins to put
Irish Cycling back on the world stage and attempt to bring back a feel good factor into the
sport.
Cycling Ireland now have a membership of almost 12,000 and it is a great time
to recruit new members into the sport and Leisure sections.
Ballymoney Cycling Club are now ready for this with the structures already in
place with Racing and Off Road Teams ready for action in 2012 and the Health and Leisure sections already
planning some very exciting adventures and challenges.
2011 No.34
Off Road Success for
Ballymoney Cycling Club
 As the winter series of Off Road events get well under way, B.C.C Off Road
Team have had great success with riders Aoife Cameron Mitchell winning in the girls races and Aaron Swan,
Craig Crawford and new to racing Stuarty Laverty all getting on the podium in the Under 14 and Under 16
races.
With races at Larne, Bangor and Lurgan under their belts it was off to Moira on Sunday to face chilly but dry
mornings racing. As off road racing is very spectator friendly with plenty of laps plus the colourful
attire of the competitors it was another great days racing at Moira Demesne. Races for the under 8's,10's,
12's,14's and Under 16's. Plus the senior racing of Cyclo cross and Mountain bikes.
Ballymoney's own off road specialist Jason Henry was 4th in the senior event behind super fast off road rider and
runner up in the 2008 FBD Ras, Roger Aiken.
In the Under 16 race it saw Ballymoney CC rider Stuarty Laverty getting 3rd place behind Aaron Donnelly from Newry
and winner and top schoolboy Craig Crawford.
With what is now becoming a regular feature for the senior rider Roger Aiken and under 14 flyer Aaron Swan,
some ask what have they got in common?
The answer is simple they win every race they have rode in the past couple of weeks. And again Aaron was on
the top of the podium with Cathal Clarke and David Boyle taking 2nd and 3rd.
 
Ballymoney CC AGM.
Last Tuesday evening saw the Cycling Ulster "Club of the Year 2011" hold their AGM at the Joey Dunlop
Centre. With a good turn out of members the meeting was addressed by Noel McGregor the chairman for 2011,
Noel expressed his thanks to the members and congratulated everyone for the success that the club has
enjoyed throughout its short time back in existence.
With Philip McKeown presiding in the chair the nomination of office bearers was held, the popular choice
for Chairman was former club secretary Charlie Dickson, Charlie has been instrumental in the setting up of
initiatives throughout the club and wants to see them implemented in his next two years in office, with the
promotion of Health and Leisure, the Road Racing Teams and the Off Road teams his first points of action.
Charlie is very keen to see the further supporting of local and national charities and will be continuing
to have them supported in every way possible. Charlie is assisted by his newly elected deputy Chairman and
very capable cyclist Wayne Stevens.
The Club Treasurer is Colin Thompson, Race Secretary is Aaron Dickie, Leisure and Health goes to Chris Frew
and the new position of Off Road Secretary went to Niall Carlin. Executive committee members are Garreth
McBride and new office bearer and lifelong cycling enthusiast Trefor Owens. Health and safety Officer is Mr
J Graham and the Woman's and Youth Development officer is Joan Trengove. Joan was very active in 2011
promoting kids events at the JDLC and in the Bike Week events held in Ballymoney. She also was key in the
setting up of the partnership with Dalriada and SportNI and will be promoting events for Woman in 2012.
PRO and media officer is Maurice McAllister. McAllister and treasurer Colin Thompson are key figures in the
High Performance Development Testing and Training suite at Dalriada school and will be making sure that the
schools and youth sports groups get access to the testing facility now in the new year.
Ballymoney Cycling Club would like to thank the out going Chairman Noel McGregor for his support and work
for the club throughout the year. Noel was unable to finish his two year term due to mounting work
commitments.
With new members coming along each week details about membership applications can be got from E.mail us at
ballymoneycc@gmail.com.
Weekend Club Runs.
The club has groups of riders going out each weekend from Outdoor Life on a Saturday at 9.30am and from the
Ballymoney Rugby Club at 9.30am on the Sunday.
We want to encourage everyone to come along as their will be a group to suit most abilities and speeds.
BCC Winter Training Nights are on Wednesday evenings
from 7.30pm - 9.30pm at Dalriada Gym, Ballymoney CC members are encouraged to come along and take part in
Turbo Trainer sessions. From this week on there will be the opportunity to have your "Ramp Testing" done on
the Wattbikes. All members racing with BCC next year are invited along to enjoy the atmosphere and group
training. Sessions will be supervised by Hugh McConaghie and Maurice McAllister.
2011 No.33
Kids "Sprocket Rocket" at Ballymoney Cycling
Club
Twenty volunteers from around Northern Ireland braved the
mist and rain to attend the North's first Sprocket Rocket Tutor Training Course delivered by Aisling Hubbard
and Rachel Omrod at the University of Ulster at Jordanstown. The Sprocket Rocket programme was originally
developed by BMX Australia in an effort to improve kid’s bike handling skills and confidence when cycling.
The course, which is a mixture of theory and practical skills, will allow the participants to deliver the 12
week cycling skills course to young Ballymoney Cycling Club will be promoting a series of events over the winter and the full details will announced in the media. Watch out for details or for an information pack emailballymoneycc@gmail.com.
Aaron Swan is the "Most Promising U14 Boy" TSC/BCC Racing's Aaron Swan was voted the "Most Promising U14 Boy" at the 2011 Sports Awards last weekend. To hand over the prize was guest of honour Dr Janet Gray MBE. Dr Gray who is a hero in her own right as she was the Disabled World Champion water skier. Janet at the age of 21 lost her eye sight and was plunged into a world of darkness. This was until she discovered the world of water skiing and her life was dramatically transformed! By hard work, sheer determination and love of the sport Janet reached the pinnacle of disabled water skiing by winning the World Disabled Championship in the three disciplines. (Slalom, tricks and jumps) and became the overall World Champion and World Record holder in all three disciplines. She was World Champion in 1999, 2001 and 2003. Aaron who has just recently been selected for the 2020 Development Squad who are lining up their ambitions for the summer Olympic games. Double Irish Champion Aaron has again shown like Dr Gray that with guts and determination anything is possible. With clubs in France looking at the young lad from Clough and a top professional cyclist committed to coaching him to further success the future is indeed looking bright for this likeable young man. Aaron who is one of a number of talents emerging from the progressive Ballymoney Cycling Club (BCC Racing Team),and their high performance equipment and coaching that he will have access to will no doubt help him on his way to the top of his chosen sport. Ballymoney Cycling Club wish Aaron every success for the future.
Ballymoney Cycling Club AGM. This Tuesday night 1st November 2011 the club will hold their AGM at the Joey Dunlop Centre starting at 7.30pm sharp.
2011 No.32
The SUCCESSFUL Ballymoney
CC Off Road Team.
The newly formed Ballymoney Cycling Club "Off Road Team" are enjoying cycling on the
forest paths and over the tough terrain that suits this type of the sport.
It is not the burly road riders but the kids who are getting stuck in, riders like James and Rebecca
Carlin, Stephen Park, Stuart and Lauren Laverty, Aoife and Sophie Cameron Mitchell and the flying road racer Aaron
Swan.
Bouncing and bumping over the rough terrain, with the wet and the mud seems to bring out the best in these happy
kids.
Off Road Racing.
These young riders have travelled to Lurgan, Bangor and recently to Larne to compete in the
Ulster Cyclo cross series being held throughout Northern Ireland. Supported by adults Niall Carlin, Shirley
Park, Jonny Jones, Joan Trengrove, Graeme Elliott and Paul and Rhona Laverty.
This type of cycling is comparatively safe and off road away from the dangers of the busy roads and
impatient drivers who place our riders in danger day in day out.
The BCC Off Road Team, has just this week seen a second podium placing for Rebecca Carlin at Larne
and along with Aaron Swan the success is following the efforts they have put in. The first couple of times out
the riders used the bikes sponsored to Ballymoney Cycling Club by SportNI and on finding their niche it would seem
that they have now progressed to getting their own machinery.
Recently at the Sports Personality Awards held at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre, the talented All Ireland road
cyclist
Aaron Swan was presented by BBC sports presenter Stephen Watson as the "Most Promising U14" sports person 2011.
2011 has been a fantastic year for Ballymoney with BCC receiving in effect over £17,000 in a 5 year sponsorship
deal with equipment and rent free storage with gymnasium facilities at Dalriada in partnership with SportNI.
Local family business, McComb Steel are also investing financial support in the ongoing success of the Ballymoney
Club as they see future plans and announcements a reason to get on board with the riders and supporters in the
local Ballymoney area as they prepare for the coming seasons.
To celebrate being voted by Cycling Ulster as the TOP Club of 2011, Ballymoney CC will be releasing a limited
number of commemorative polo shirts, orders for these should be given to Chris Frew, Charlie Dickson or Aaron
Dickie as soon as possible.
The "Indulgence Pudding Party"
BCC fund raising event at Sketchers Coffee shop on Monday evening is just another example of the variety and the
club family atmosphere being promoted by BCC. It was a time for enjoying the high calories and fresh cream as
members came to support the club and enjoy the home baking of its talented members. Pavlova, trifles, apple pie,
Eaton Mess, banoffee, eve's pudding, chocolate brownies and home made custard was on the menu as it was "As much as
you could eat"
All the proceeds donated go to the promotion and running of the club in 2012
Coming Events.
Ballymoney Cycling Club will hold their AGM on Tuesday 1st of November at the Joey Dunlop Centre from 7.30pm. This
meeting is for BCC members and a good turn out is expected.
With the demand very high to use the SportNI equipment based at Dalriada school, we are sorry to say that it will
be those within the Ballymoney borough who will receive first choice access in the mean time. Other slots will be
available as they free up in the new year.
BCC will be holding club evening training sessions to announced shortly, see the local press for further
details.
2011 No.31 Healthy
Cycling for Everyone! Ballymoney Cycling Club of the Year 2011 in partnership with Dalriada School and SportNI are
launching an exciting joint community project this Wednesday.A group of cyclists will cycle around the town
leaving Dalriada at 10.30am. • 10.45am – Leave Our Lady Of Lourdes • 11.00am – Leave Ballymoney High • 11.15am - Arrive Dalriada for outside photos • 11.30am – View Watt Bikes demonstration in Sports Hall annex • 11.45am – Hospitality and
Speeches Ballymoney CC present Dundalk Sub Aqua
Club
2011 No.30
Ballymoney Cycling Club voted,
"Best Club of the Year 2011!"
Ballymoney Cycling Club out of over 40 clubs in Cycling Ulster were voted
the No1 club in 2011.
The governing body Cycling Ulster held their Annual General Meeting at
Quinn's Corner, Ballygawley on Saturday.
With the Olympic games less than 12 months away it was a hectic agenda
and with cycling becoming more and more popular the powers that be in Irish Cycling set about
awarding the "BEST" club of 2011.
Ballymoney Cycling Club were chosen above all the rest for their contribution to cycling,
BCC have promoted
children's events, open senior road races at Loughguile and charity rides supporting the local "Bridges of
Hope."
With the very popular Health and Leisure team and their constant support of local and national
Charity events, led by club and leisure secretaries Chris Frew and Charlie Dickson at the helm or handlebars
these people ensure that everyone is looked after. Casual and enjoyable cycling is available for everyone.
Club race secretary Aaron Dickie constantly looked at how to make things better, exploring ways to get the best
from our racers, introducing the 2up TT Lap of Knocklayde in Ballycastle and the tough "RAS Loughguile" held
over two days in July.
The BCC Racing Team saw Stevie McAllister win 7 races, national, interclub and club events,
followed by Garreth McBride (Right) and Wayne Stevens on 3 each and Jason Taggart, Devon McIlwaine, Olly
Bateson and Bryan McKinney winning at open and club level. Exciting times ahead is expected from the BCC lads
and lasses in 2012. With Jack Owens, Stuarty Laverty and Ellen McAree along with schoolboy Irish Champion
sensation Aaron Swan expect exciting times ahead!
The BCC Off Road Team were recently formed and Niall Carlin with Joan Trengrove have gathered
together a group of riders who enjoy cyclo cross and mountain biking. Making use of the recently acquired
SportNI sponsored bikes they were this weekend in action at Blessingbourne, from reports all seemed to be a
great success.
SportNI, Ballymoney Cycling Club and Dalriada have put into action a "Community Cycling Project".
With the local club receiving almost £18,000 in grant money, BCC treasurer, Colin Thompson, BCC Pro, Maurice
McAllister and members of Dalriada are getting ready to launch this initiative on the 12th of October 2011.
Wattbikes coming to Ballymoney.
Forme Coaching’s Stephen Gallagher and fellow professional cyclist from An Post will launch the highly
acclaimed Wattbikes and Tacx Virtual Reality Training systems.
How much do they cost?! That's the question we often hear about test bikes. So when our friends got wind of the Wattbike’s £1,850 price tag there was the sound of jaws hitting floors. But that price was put into perspective after people discovered what this training bike was capable of. After all, British Cycling must have some very good reasons to endorse this machine. So just what does the Wattbike do that is so impressive?
Once you’ve completed a training session you can download this information onto your computer for you or your coach to accurately monitor and assess your progress. Perhaps most significantly for the likes of British Cycling, power output results from the Wattbike correlate exactly with those of SRM’s Power Cranks – the power measuring devices that pro riders use on their race bikes.
What Ballymoney CC discovered is that none of us approach the likes of Chris Hoy and Ronan McLaughlin when it comes to maximum power output – no shock there. Though one of our team was surprised to find he was using his left leg much more than his right when pedalling. This was something that he hadn’t been aware of and is now seeking to address. This is just one small example of what this machine is able to achieve.
When you’re pedalling at over 50rpm, a generator recharges the computer console’s battery, which is neat. And while the chunky aluminium seat post and stem aren’t elegant, they are designed and built to last for years of gym use.
In practice, while you could buy a Wattbike, this is the sort of product that is aimed more at gyms, schools and organisations rather than individual cyclists. British Cycling’s coaches are already using them in schools to try to find the successors to Wiggins, Hoy, Roche and Kelly
2011 No.29
Ballymoney Cycling Club celebrate a successful
2011
with a 3rd Team being launched!
With the growth of cycling and the successes of the Ballymoney riders throughout
Ireland in 2011. The Ballymoney Club have enjoyed success in the road racing scene with open race victories
from Steven McAllister, Aaron Swan, Bryan McKinney and Devon McIlwaine.
McAllister again along with Garreth McBride and Olly Bateson in the inter club races. Aaron Swan winning the
highest accolade by winning the All Ireland schoolboy championships.
The talented schoolboy has been growing from race to race and even won the BCC race on the Tullaghans against
senior riders.
As the BCC Racing and Leisure teams continue to enjoy the ongoing success an announcement was made at the
weekend in the light of the ongoing growth of the off road cycling scene and as safety is top of the club's
priorities. To get youth involved in the sport it is vital they can enjoy themselves in a safe environment.
Leisure and off road enthusiasm Niall Carlin has take the courageous step and has formed
the "ALL NEW" BCC Off Road Team, this new team will include not only kids and youth, but will also be
hosting senior events around the area.
With children and youth the future of cycling it is a fantastic idea that Niall has had and will go from
strength to strength as it is built on with the encouragement and enthusiasm of all the club.
With the launch of the SportNI, BCC and Dalriada coming in the next few weeks it is exciting for the town and
borough that the forward thinking of BCC is taking cycling to another level.
The Ballymoney club realise that there is more to cycling than just racing and have adapted to accommodate all
cyclists, setting in place a programme with tandems for the visually impaired, piggy backs and an adult trike
for the disabled going on display at their sensational launch in October.
Lungbuster II sees Beattie win in style.
Local rider Chris Beattie won the last 5 mile TT of 2011 with a time of 12 minutes, this comes after Chris
finished 2nd to cycling legend Joe Barr at the recent Tour of Innishowen. Chris has also entered for the New
York Gran Fondo next year with around 8,000 other cyclists from all over the world.
Second to Beattie was BCC's Steven McAllister and 3rd was dangerman and fast improving Wayne Stevens.
Two new schoolboys Luke McAvoy and Adam McMaster both showed that youth cycling is growing from strength to
strength!
Chris Beattie (u/a) 12mins
Jason Henry romps up Millbrae to Hill Climb victory!
The last race of the BCC racing season saw local rider Jason Henry win the prestigious
Millbrae Hill Climb on the Long mountain roads above Finvoy.
On a bitterly cold evening and a great field of supporters in attendance it was clear that there would be
a tough duel between the contenders. Jason turning in a time of 3 mins and 15 secs setting his own personal
best in 2011. Aaron Swan was again amongst the big boys and set a new U14 schoolboy record, in the Bann
Wheelers
Hill climb on the Cranagh, Ballymoney rider Steven McAllister was the winner there but was in 5th behind fierce
friends and rivals Henry, Beattie, Swan and Stevens.
Final Results,
1st.Jason Henry
03mins 15 2nd.Chris Beattie 3mins 31 3rd.Aaron Swan 3mins 34 (New U14 School Boy Record) 4th. Wayne Stevens 3mins 39 5th. Steven McAllister 3mins 41 Andrew Torrens 3mins 48 Jason Taggart 3mins 53 Niall O'Hagan 4mins 07 Aaron Dickie 4mins 14 Ryan Fenton 4mins 31 Stuart Laverty 4mins 34 Girl's Results. Caitie O'Hagan 5Mins 50 Ellen McAree 6mins 33
Ballymoney Cycling Club present Sketchers with a BCC
Jersey
Trefor Owen's proprietor of Sketchers Coffee shop and Art
Supplies was presented with a
well received memento a framed club Jersey from club
Ironman triathlete Johnny Graham.
The jersey takes pride of place in the coffee shop for
everyone to see.
Ballymoney Cycling Club would like to thank Trefor and family for
their support and hospitality over the years.
2011 No.28
Swan and McAllister 1st again for
BCC
Schoolboy super cyclist Aaron Swan won the Cycling Ulster Youth Time Trial and Road Race Championships at
Limavady last Sunday. On Wednesday night Steven McAllister won the BCC Road Race Championship on the Tullaghans
from Wayne Stevens 2nd and Jerome McKendry 3rd.
Ulster Youth Champion Aaron Swan.
The Ulster Youth Championships were promoted by Roe Valley Cycling Club and over 50 under 12's, 14's and 16
year olds lined up at Anaghloo in the morning for a 4 mile TT round an excellent circuit. Fastest overall was
Aaron Swan from Declan Mulholland Clan Eireann and in 3rd was Pierce Aitchison from Harps CC.
With the Road Race in the afternoon it was case for young Aaron to get the feet up and a bite to eat before
heading to the circuit near Drumsurn. Lined up along with his rivals they faced 5 laps of a 3.5 mile circuit
and with the stiff uphill finish it was a day for strong hearts. From the gun it was clear the field knew who
to watch and every move Aaron made was countered by the rest of the field. Every move every time he went to the
front his rivals countered him. With two laps to go and after some heated words between the riders, at the bell
it looked as though it was going to the sprint but a savage attack by Aaron Swan saw no one else able to
respond and the young lad from TSC/BCC romped off to a fine win and one that sets him up for the All Ireland
National Championships in Castlebar. BCC's Maurice McAllister who was following the race described Swan's
efforts as those of a young man with a very bright future, he just looks better than all the rest.
Gold, silver and bronze went
Aaron Swan TSC/BCC
Jake Gray ETCC
Cathal Clarke Newry Wheelers.
Steven McAllister wins the BCC Road Race Championships.
This is the second year that BCC rider Steven McAllister has won the DW Joinery sponsored Road Race
championships.
This year was a well contested event with recently upgraded rider and winner of the A4 race at the West Down
GP, Devon McIlwaine being touted by some as the race favourite. But someone must have forgot to tell McAllister
this as he was constantly aware of what was going on around. With the field split into two groups, the scratch
group that included the eventual winner set about reeling everyone back together again. In the front group it
saw hard riding by Neville Patton, Ollie Bateson, Adrian Madden, Garreth McBride, Martin Carroll, Ryan Fenton
and Philip McKeown. But the scratch group was onto them with two laps to go of this tough and relentless
Tullaghans circuit.
Going into the last lap it was clear that the group was going to settle this by a sprint finish as there were
few attempts to get rid of anyone and the attacks were non existent as the race headed onto the Saint Mary's
climb for the final time.
As the field now shedding the weaker riders it was down to 5 at the crossroads, Jason Taggart, Devon McIlwaine,
Wayne Stevens, Jerome McKendry and McAllister.
With 350 metres to the line McAllister as he had previously planned launched an attack that saw him burst clear
from the group and cross the line with both hands in the air. He was followed by the delighted Wayne Stevens in
2nd and a close finish between Devon and Jerome saw Jerome get the bronze. Ellen McAree won the Girls Road race
championships for the first time. A great ride and one that gives the club more chances of success in the
future was the ride by 15 year old schoolboy Stuart Laverty. This Stuarts first year on a racing bike and he is
already showing great promise for the future.
Final Result was,
1st Steven McAllister
2nd Wayne Stevens
3rd Jerome McKendry
4th Devon McIlwaine
5th Jason Taggart
6th Ollie Bateson
Wayne Stevens 4th at the Lakeland GP
On Saturday Ballymoney CC riders Jerome McKendry, Niall O'Hagan, Ollie Bateson, Wayne Stevens and Steven
McAllister travelled the 180 mile round trip to the popular and well organised event at Enniskillen, The
Lakeland GP. With the three lads, Jerome, Ollie and Wayne off in the A4 race, it was an opportunity for Jerome
to get the final point that he needs to get upgraded to A3, but alas this did not happen as the Loughguile man
was plagued by a puncture a few miles into the race.
Leaving club mates Ollie and Wayne to get the results for the day. With strong riding throughout by both lads
and Wayne trying to get away it was looking as usual to ending in a sprint. When out of the bunch pounced two
figures and eventual winner and runner up Kevin Holian (Errigle CC) and Mark Bleakley from the local club
Lakeland CC. These two opened a gap and were clear at the line.
With 2km to go Ballymoney CC rider Ollie Bateson made a break for the line to secure 3rd but was hauled back by
the rest of the field. with 200 to go Wayne led out but was pipped on the line and had to settle for 4th place.
In the A race Niall O'Hagan BCC was off in a group 3 minutes in front of the unsettled A1/A2 rides who were
more happy stupidly attacking each other rather than chasing down the group ahead. In this group was Steven
McAllister.
The eventual winner was Ryan Sherlock from the Sportactive team based in Donegal. Niall O'Hagan showed he is
made of stout stuff as he finished strong after 70 miles along with Ryan Currie from BRC.
With only a couple of races left the 2011 season is fast coming to a close.
Heverin and Madden close at Ulster 10TT Champs.
Ballymoney CC rider Bryan McKinney was in action at Woodgreen outside Ballymena on Sunday morning at the
Cycling Ulster 10 mile TT Championships.
In horrible blustery and wet conditions the race was won by John Heverin from Clan Eireann in 20mins 30
seconds, closely followed by John Madden in 20mins 33 seconds. In third place was former Commonwealth games
rider Cormac McCann pulling on a race number the first time in 18years and getting the bronze medal with a time
of 20mins and 58 seconds.
The Ballymoney rider Bryan McKinney was 19th in a time of 22mins and 03 seconds.
Coming Events.
This Wednesday night BCC promote the "Race of the Falling Leaves" a 16.75km circuit TT on the Kirkhills,
Stanocum, Dervock Circuit. The record for this is held by John Madden in 2010 when he smashed his own record of
a few weeks and set the bar at 22mins and 52seconds.
This race starts at 7pm sharp and all riders are asked to have a rear light fitted for safety. This Tuesday
night local club Bann Wheelers are holding an interesting event, "A non Aero 2 up 10 mile TT" starting at 7pm
on the Kilrea Road.
A full report next week will cover the All Ireland Youth Championships at Castlebar where Craig Crawford and
Aaron Swan are in action.
2011 No.27
Bridges of Hope Community
Cycle Challenge 2011
On Saturday past over 100 cyclists assembled in Stranocum for the "Bridges of Hope Community
Cycle Challenge" This is the second year that Ballymoney Cycling Club have promoted this event to support the
Community Rescue Service, and the work that they do that normally goes un noticed.
The CRS are a voluntary organisation that conduct searches along the riverbanks and areas where people have
gone missing.
They were formed in 2007 and throughout Northern Ireland they have about 100 volunteers who are on standby
24/7, 365 days each year.
Back in 2009 when local lad James Elliott sadly lost his life in the swollen rivers of the River Bush while
attempting to rescue a friends pet.
The Community Rescue Service were actively involved in this search, and James's parents Margaret and Clive are
both volunteers.
With the community very much in mind Ballymoney Cycling Club secretary Charlie Dickson and Maurice McAllister
both set about planning
4 different courses, there was 3.5 miles for the kids and family, 9 miles for a bit of a leg stretcher, 22
miles was for the more serious, the
jewel in the crown the 55 mile Bridges of Hope Challenge, this course was designed for its scenery and to get
good scenery sometimes you have to
climb to enjoy it. The thought also was to have the riders cross as many of the bridges over the river Bush
right up to its source at Altnahinch, passing through
Armoy, part of Orra, Altnahinch, and the crazy descent down into Corkey via Reservoir Road, Magherahoney,
through the famous "Dark Hedges"
and right down to Bushmills and back home to Stranocum crossing the "Final Bridge" at Bellisle and back into
Stranocum.
The riders from all over were then treated to a hearty bite to eat provided by the girls of BCC in the local
Stranocum Orange Hall where it was made sure no one went hungry.
Ballymoney Cycling Club would like to thank everyone who took part and supported the event, Kilbride CC and our
friends at Bann Wheelers as always were there
in force, Thank you to everyone.
McIlwaine, Swan and McAllister "Winners" again.
Devon wins at Katesbridge.
Rising star at Ballymoney Cycling Club Devon McIlwaine is taking Cycling Ulster races by storm, having just
started this year, Devon has been knocking on the
door of a win in the past couple of outings. In the A4 at Katesbridge on Saturday on the 3rd lap Devon caught
the rest of the bunch by surprise when
he launched a savage attack opening a gap of 38 seconds at the line from 2nd Gareth Rodgers (Banbridge CC) and
3rd Ian Walker (West Down Wheelers)
Ballymoney CC would like to congratulate Devon on his excellent victory and his upgrading from A4 to A3, this
gives the local club a strong team of racers going into 2012.
Steven McAllister wins "Non Aero" 10 Time Trial.
This event is designed to help riders get used to riding on their own and to help simulate the experience in a
road race where you have a situation where
you are trying to break away from the field or close a gap to a breakaway. The time trial rules for this event
do not allow the high gizmo's used in normal time trials.
Riders are only permitted to use a standard racing bike, no tri bars, disc and deep section wheels, skin
suits/speed suits or aero helmets.
This may be seen as the original way that racing was conducted and yes you would be correct in thinking so.
The winner of the race was Steven McAllister, from Wayne Stevens and Jason Henry, super fast under 14 schoolboy
Aaron Swan put in a flying time of 24mins and 9 seconds. Just started schoolboy Stuart Laverty beat his
personal best with a new time of 28 mins and 8 seconds.
Ballybogey
10mile non aero time trial results
Aaron
Swan wins Cycling Ulster Youth TT and Road Championships, full report and photos next
week.
Coming
Events
This Wednesday night Ballymoney Cycling Club will promote their
Road Race championships on the Tullaghans circuit.
Race starts at 7pm
2011 No.26
Treble of Wins for Ballymoney Cycling
Club!
Bryan McKinney, Wayne Stevens and Aaron Swan all racked up first placings this weekend
with Devon McIlwaine getting a 2nd place in the A4 race. Devon has now accumulated 9 points
and is on the way to upgrading in his short time in competitive racing.
Bryan McKinney wins the Billy Stewart Cup.
Two years in a row Ballymoney CC have made the Billy Stewart Cup their property, and like other Ballymoney
CC rider and winner in 2010 Steven McAllister, Bryan McKinney won this years trophy, this is Bryan's
second open race win in two years. With four Ballymoney CC riders in the bunch, Steven McAllister, Jason
Taggart,
Jason riding his first A3 race since his upgrading, Niall O'Hagan and Bryan McKinney.
On a fast circuit at Derrymacesh in Co Armagh the field of 40 riders set of to cover the 50 miles.
Ballymoney riders were quickly into action and determined riding by McKinney saw another victory for Ballymoney
CC
go into the record books.
Fast improving rider Devon McIlwaine was 2nd in the A4 race. Devon was the best placed Ballymoney rider at
the recent RAS Loughguile where he was 7th and the plucky first timer represented BCC at the Omagh 3 Day.
Devon was a top placed finisher.
Well done also to Niall and Jason for their efforts. Niall and Steven competed at the David McCall Foundation
races at Dundrod on Saturday in a show case event held before the Ulster Grand Prix motor bike races.
Aaron Swan wins at Dunore
Fast improving schoolboy Aaron Swan was again on the top step of the podium winning the U14 race at the
Brendan Campbell Memorial races at Dunore, near Drogheda.
Aaron who is building up the victories this year following the latest success at the Mayo Youth races where he
secured 3rd place and the coveted King of the Mountains.
Aaron finished ahead of other Cycling Ulster schoolboy Jake Gray from East Tyrone CC.
Wayne Stevens wins the Ernie Magwood Memorial Road race.
In a tribute to Ernie Magwood from East Tyrone CC who sadly passed away last year.
Ballymoney Cycling Club decided out of respect for the former road race champion and gentleman of cycling to
hold an
Inter club Road Race in his memory. In August 2010 Ernie rode on the Bravellen Road circuit and finished 10th
in the
well supported event.
On Wednesday night in torrential rain and unnaturally warm conditions the riders lined up in an unusual format
decided on
by the organisers at the last minute where the race adopted the ranking system that the open racers compete in
each week.
The groups were A4 followed by A3 and lastly A2 and A1's. With the race distance cut from 5.5 laps to 4.5 laps
due to the weather
and fast fading light a break being hammered along by Jerome McKendry and eventual winner Wayne Stevens opened
a gap from the A4 group.
Determined chasing by Jason Henry, Niall O'Hagan and schoolboy Aaron Swan was not enough and the front two of
McKendry and Stevens
lined up to contend the sprint.
Punching the air the victorious Wayne Stevens won his 3rd race of the season, closely followed by Jerome.
Adrian Madden, Ollie Bateson
and Martin Carroll took the top 6 places.
The Winner of the Ernie Magwood Memorial Trophy is
1st Wayne Stevens
Ballymoney Cycling Club
2nd Jerome McKendry BCC 3rd Adrian Madden BCC 4th Ollie Bateson BCC 5th Martin Carroll BCC 6th Jason Henry 7th Aaron Swan 8th Jason Taggart BCC 9th Steven McAllister BCC 10th Conor Higgins BCC
Coming Events
With the season fast coming to a close, the racing is getting to a point where every race counts in the run
in to the Club "End of season" awards presentation.
NON AERO 10 TT.
This Wednesday night is a special, race of truth for the purest. Ballymoney CC will host a 10 mile Time trial
without any technological advantages. The "Non Aero 10 TT" is on the Ballybogey line and starts at 7.15pm
Guidelines for the event are as follows, NO.... Skinsuits, TT bikes, disc wheels, deep section wheels,
triathlon bars,
aero helmets, speed suits or aero overshoes.
Basically bring your road bike, jersey, shorts, shoes and maybe a pair of mitts plus your helmet
Ballymoney Cycling Club would like to invite riders from other clubs to take up this challenge as there is an
opportunity to set a "RECORD" for the next 12 months.
Inter Club Road race Thursday night at Bann Valley.
This Thursday evening sees the final round of the 5 Club Road race league series at Bann Valley.
All Ballymoney CC riders are asked to make a very very special effort to ride this event, local rivals Bann
Wheelers
lead the event by a slender 3 points from Ballymoney CC and it is a case of all hands to the pump for this one.
The full team available will be on the Ballymoney CC message board this week.
2011 No.25
Taggart and McKinney upgraded
More success for Ballymoney Cycling Club with Jason Taggart and Bryan McKinney getting
upgraded to A3 and A2. This follows club mate Steven McAllister winning the BCC 25 mile TT
championship on Wednesday night and young Aaron Swan getting 3rd in the Mayo Youth games
and winning the King of the Hills award.
2nd and 4th for BCC at Carrick.
On Saturday BCC riders, Jason Taggart, Bryan McKinney, Niall O'Hagan, Jerome McKendry, Adrian
Madden and Olly Bateson travelled to Carrickfergus to compete in the Madigan Grand Prix races.
In the A race Bryan McKinney lined up along side Ulsters top rides and with breaks going thick and fast the
Ballymoney rider was in the thick of the action from the start.
Local rider John Madden was in the field also, just back from taking runner up spot to top Irish professional
David McCann in the Glenshane 10 TT. McCann rode the 10 miles in 19 minutes and 52 seconds to John's
20 minutes and 58 seconds.
With the field racing head long to the crazy finish, Bryan was making sure of his position in the bunch and was
well placed to take 4th place and the necessary points he needed to get upgraded to A2 status.
The race was won by Simon Williams from Team Basso.
In the A4 race, battling Jason Taggart needed one point to get upgraded to A3 and this was secured emphatically
as the big fella made sure of it and was only narrowly beaten into 2rd place by Sean McCann from Island
Wheelers.
Jason now joins the ranks along with A2 riders McAllister and McKinney and Niall O'Hagan giving BCC a strong
group to compete for team prizes in up coming events, and more undoubted success for Ballymoney.
Steven McAllister wins BCC 25 mile TT Championships
On Wednesday evening Ballymoney Cycling Club held their annual 25 mile TT championships on the
Ballybogey/Coleraine line. Starting north of Revallagh Cross and circling the roundabout at Ballymoney the
riders head towards Coleraine and then turn at Windy Hall before the hard run back to Ballymoney and to the
finish again at Revallagh.
Steven McAllister not renown for his time trialling was the emphatic winner with a time of 57 minutes and
56seconds, followed by last years winner Jason Taggart 59.09 and Olly Bateson in 61.08.
The Final result was.
1st Steven McAllister 57.56
2nd Jason Taggart 59.09
3rd Oliver Bateson 61.08
4th Ryan Fenton 68.42
5th Conor Higgins 74.22
8th Stuart Laverty (U16) 76.23
Visitors times were,
Jason Henry 59.17
Dean McIlfatrick 61.46
Martinus Esmeyer 64.54
Aaron Swan 3rd at the Mayo Games
Local schoolboy sensation under 14 schoolboy Aaron Swan was at the Mayo Games with team mate Craig Crawford.
Craig was competing in the tough under 16 section.
Both of these lads are progressing into the field of international competition. Riders from Holland, Belgium
and the USA along with UK mainland riders assemble each year in Mayo to do battle with our own young hope
fulls.
This year the wee man from Clough was not going to be over shadowed and was not in any way over awed as he made
the bronze medal position of 3rd overall his own and romped up the hills to get the Polka Dot jersey for King
of the Hills.
Hopefully Aaron and Craig will be in action this Wednesday night at the BCC inter club race at Bravellan.
Coming Events
This Wednesday night Ballymoney CC along with East Tyrone CC are holding an Interclub Road Race in memory
of East Tyrone stalwart, Ernie Magwood. Ernie sadly lost the great fight against cancer and passed away
last year. This event is a competitor paced 30 mile road race and everyone is invited to attend. There will be
a trophy awarded to the best placed club on the night. The club would ask everyone if they can turn out as we
need marshals and help to stage this event.
The Bridges of Hope Community Cycle will be held by the Ballymoney Club this year again at
Stranocum on Saturday 20th of August with the first group going off at 11am. There will be
4 distances, 3.5 mile for the kids and family, a 9 mile route, a 22 mile leg stretcher and the big
event the "Bridges of Hope Challenge" over 55 miles, crossing as many of the bridges over the river Bush as
possible. This route will pass the source of the river at Altnahinch and coming back via the famous "Black
Hedges" on route to Bushmills and the rivers gentle flow to the sea. Everyone is invited to come along as there
is a distance for everyone to try. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Community Rescue Service.
2011 No.24
More 1st places for Ballymoney Cycling Club!
Steven McAllister, Wayne Stevens and Niall O'Hagan 1st again
for Ballymoney Cycling Club.
BCC riders, Steven McAllister, Wayne Stevens and Niall O'Hagan enjoyed the sweet taste of "Winning".
Yes all three riders won at local club and Inter club level again.
Wayne Stevens won the Bravellen Road race, Niall O'Hagan won the Bann Wheelers promoted
Dervock Civic Week road race, and Steven McAllister won the hotly contested Inter-club league
road race round at Tobermore, after joining forces with Team Curran/Bann Wheelers veteran legend John Madden
when they both in a 2 up TT set a great time for the Ballymoney CC event, "Lap Knocklayde!"
Wayne wins the Bravellen Road Race.
Two wins in his first season for the talented and feisty "Man from the Leck" Wayne Stevens, the outgoing BCC
rider again showed his ability to win races. So many people under
estimate the importance of getting a habit of winning.
 This is why the Ballymoney club are enjoying success in the way they are
because of the careful use of mid week races.
Again the riders from Ballymena, Bann Wheelers, talented schoolboys Craig Crawford and Aaron Swan, top local
cyclist John Madden and South African professional cyclist
Martinus Esmeyer riding for a new local sports retailer turned out to support the Ballymoney
Club.
The race was divided into three groups and again it was again an evening for the front riders to enjoy the
occasion, despite hard riding by Jason Taggart, Jerome McKendry, Philip McKeown it was down to a driving hard
attack by Stevens as he along with Aaron Swan, Adrian Madden and Craig Crawford opened
a gap and was the clear winner from Aaron and Adrian.
The multi national scratch group of John Madden, BCC's Steven McAllister and the South African professional
Esmeyer, who enjoyed his first taste of local competition.
Each week the girls turn out and use these races in their preparation to get ready for the open events next
season. Promising schoolgirls Caitie O'Hagan and Ellen McAree are
The Final Result was,
1st..... Wayne Stevens Ballymoney Cycling
Club
2nd..... Aaron Swan TSC / BCC 3rd..... Adrian Madden Ballymoney Cycling Club 4 Craig Crawford TSC / BCC 5 Martin Carroll BCC 6 Devon McIlwaine BCC 7 Philip McKeown BCC 8 David Park BWCC 9 Uel Cunningham Michelin 10 Niall O'Hagan BCC 11 Jerome McKendry BCC 12 Jonathan Dillon BCC 13 Ronnie Kidd BWCC 14 Jason Taggart BCC 15 Aaron Dickie BCC 16 Steven McAllister BCC 17 John Madden Team Curran 18 Martinus Esmeyer South Africa 19 Stuart Laverty BCC Niall O'Hagan wins the Dervock Civic Week Race Bann Wheelers for the Dervock Civic Week helped in organising a bike race. "Hotcha" in Dervock were the generous sponsors. The Dervock Civic Week committee arranged for trophies, medals and prizes for competitors in the race.The 5 lap race was started and a fast and furious pace was set. Locals attending the Civic Week festivities seemed to have a positive effect on the racers as they were spurred on by cheers and shouts of encouragement. The two groups came together for the final lap and the games began on the road in, ending in a fierce sprint finish to the finish line. Niall O’Hagen (BCC) took the honours by a wheel over Mark McCullough (Ballymena Road Club) who was followed by Ronnie Kidd in third. Fastest local finisher was Aaron Dickie (BCC).This race is open to all comers although it normally brings out the top two clubs in the area to compete for the spoils in front of a local crowd. Everybody likes a chance to win in front of their home crowd. Bann Wheelers and Ballymoney Cycling Club both fielded strong teams of riders. Ballymoney CC hard man Wayne Stevens was unfortunate to suffer a broken spoke on the first lap and had to retire. Aaron Dickie was the best placed local rider. Race Result 1st ...Niall O'Hagan ..BCC
Madden and McAllister in 2 up TT Sizzler Ireland’s fastest veteran time trial specialist John Madden teamed up with BCC’s top road racer for a time trial sensation. Sparks were set to fly and no one was disappointed. This race was organised by the Ballymoney Club and their ever adventurous race secretary Aaron Dickie. The 2up time trial that included part of the Armoy motorcycle race course and circled the base of Knocklayde. Starting on the Hillside Road in Ballycastle, climbing the lung bursting 8% climb to Capecastle after one mile. On a fiercely wet and clammy evening only seven riders were brave enough to take on this real challenge. Jason Taggart, Martin Carroll and new junior sensation Harvey Webber made up a three man team and returned a record setting ride of 34.44 for the magical mountain circuit that climbed and the descended back to sea level finishing outside Sheskburn Garage. Olly Bateson and Conor Higgins were the second two man team on the night finishing in 38.26. But the flying two up pair of Madden and McAllister, at times reaching speeds of 50mph on the Glenshesk drop into Ballycastle had the hearts of the following photographers and video crews racing with John Madden doing long pulls at the front on the flats and the road skills of McAllister on the technical descents making this a special team effort. When asked at the finish McAllister said it was a pleasure to ride with John and from as long as he can remember he always thought of him as his hero and someone he wanted to emulate. Steven even said that if he could record a fraction of what John has achieved he will consider his cycling career a success. John Madden to anyone who understands sporting achievements knows he is a legend and someone who deserves every recognition available for his services to local, national and international sport. John Madden and Steven McAllister set an All-Comers record time of 31 minutes and 42 seconds on road bikes! No special advantages that you get when using TT bikes and aero gadgets, this was a simple man and bicycle effort. Already there have been enquiries from a English pro team who want to explore the possibility of using this race as preparation for international events for some of their riders next year. BCC 1st, 2nd and 5th at Carn Wheelers. After suffering a heavy defeat at the Bann
Wheelers round with best BCC finisher Adrian Madden making it into 11th just outside the points. Ballymoney
Cycling Club do what they do best, they gather together, they prepare and plan and they go out to face the
challenge at hand. BCC were missing two top riders in Garreth McBride and Wayne Stevens, both were involved in a
last gasp pile up in another event on Tuesday with Garreth dislocating his collar bone and Wayne breaking his
frame. The dice was cast and the five BCC riders set about doing what it took to get as many riders into the top
10 placings as possible. Aaron Dickie and Martin Carroll in the first group, with Ollie Bateson and Adrian
Madden in the 2nd group with Steven McAllister in the scratch last bunch. 1st Steven McAllister BCC Coming Events Ballymoney Cycling Club will hold their monthly club meeting at Sketchers Coffee Shop in Bendooragh on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm. The club have invited a local sports nutritional supplier to give a short talk on the benefits of sports nutrition and hydration products. Everyone is invited to attend and make use of the information available. This Wednesday evening the Ballymoney riders will face their annual 25mile Club TT Championship starting at Revallagh Cross north of Ballybogey. First rider off at 7.15pm, everyone invited to come along and take up the challenge
2011 No.23
Ballymoney Cycling Club keep on Winning!
In the past few weeks Ballymoney Cycling have had five wins in less than 14 days. Niall O’Hagan won the Ballymoney Cycling Club 10tt on the Portrush/Ballybogey line, Steven McAllister won the Bann Wheelers promoted 25 mile road race at Stranocum and Bryan McKinney won the 10 mile circuit TT at Bann Wheelers. An super schoolboy Aaron Swan won the first ever road race on the new Tullaghans circuit over 25 miles and to top it off winning the U14 race at RAS Loughguile beating all comers as he finished over 4 minutes up on his own. Other riders in action were Jason Taggart, Adrian Madden, Garreth McBride, Martin Carroll, Olly Bateson and Jerome McKendry. Niall and Adrian getting a 3rdplacing at Portglenone. Jason and Jerome were in action at Newtownards, and a mistake led to the Ballymoney lads thinking they were higher placed than led to believe, with bunches started in front of them and were not caught before the finish. The girls were in action, Caitie O’Hagan, Ellen McAree and Sophie Cameron Mitchell showed the broad base of talent that the Ballymoney Club is now establishing. It seems each week now that the club can have a group of male and female cyclists racing anywhere and representing the club and themselves at a competitive level. There is always an air of excitement when a new boy comes along and schoolboy Stuart Laverty rode his first race and recorded a 30”.14 at his first attempt. Results from the BCC 10TT 1st Niall O'Hagan 22.18 2nd Jason Taggart 22.19 3rd Steven McAllister 22.34 4th Derek McMenemy 22.47 5th Jason Henry 22.49 6th John McElderry 22.56 7th Damien Hazlett 23.34 8th Neville Patton 23.43 9th Oliver Bateson 23.50 10th Uel Cunningham 23.58 11th Adrian Madden 25.12 12th Conor Higgins 27.25 13th Aaron Dickie 28.09 14th Sam Greer 28.11 15th Jack Owens 29.02 16th Stuart Laverty 30.14 1st Girl - Caitie O'Hagan (U12) 38.53
Leisure Cycling and the Community With the success of Ballymoney Cycling Club growing and growing, the largest part of the club is devoted to Health and Leisure cycling, this area has grown and grown steadily and from strength to strength. In 2010 Ballymoney Cycling Club membership registered with Cycling Ireland was around 20 members. In 2011 the membership has practically trebled and each week there are more people coming along to join in what is an excellent sport/pass time for the old and not so. Former athletes who have had to cut their careers short due to injury have found that the non-weight bearing aspect of cycling gives them another way of improving or maintaining their fitness. With the club about to announce in September an exciting initiative promoted by Sport NI and Dalriada school, there will be bicycles available to anyone in the community who would like to come along and try it and see if you like it approach. The club has Hybrid leisure cycles with pannier, carriers and lights, off road bikes for covering some rougher terrain. Then there are the 10 speed sports racing bikes that can be used for road racing, time trials or even triathlons.
The use of special need bikes has become more and more popular, Ballymoney cycling club cater for all abilities and disabilities with Tandems, trikes and piggy backs for use. At the last club meeting held at Sketchers Coffee shop in Bendooragh, a representative from Compass Advocacy Network came along and explained to the club how we as a cycling club can involve the youth in the community, introducing them to the sport of cycling and the leisure and healthy pass time it creates.
Not wanting to leave out the sporting side of cycling, the Ballymoney club will have available Wattbikes, the same as used by the ultra-successful British Cycling Federation and their development of world class track riders like Sir Chris Hoy, Tour de France 4thplace finisher Bradley Wiggins. These riders used the now famous Wattbikes to test and monitor their progression, this will also be available to schools and sports clubs in the coming weeks. For anyone who ever dreamed about cycling in the Alps or in the Pyrenees, Ballymoney Cycling Club have what is call Tacx “Virtual Reality” trainers where in front of a plasma screen you can sit on your bike and cycle through France, in fact anywhere in the world using this state of the art technology. The advantage to the racing cyclist is that they can train with the professional teams or for the leisure cyclist while it is snowing outside they can meander through the leafy lanes whilst learning how to use their gears and controlling their bike. Exciting times ahead for cycling in the Ballymoney area, anyone interested in the meantime until officially launched, contact Maurice McAllister on 07707088396 for more information.
Coming Events This week Ballymoney CC have a road race on the Bravellen Road starting at 7.15pm. This is a handicapped event with the slower riders getting a small advantage over their fast opponents. The club would like to apologise for having to postpone last week’s 10 TT on the Portrush/Ballybogey line due to safety concerns for the riders and the anticipated high volume of holiday traffic. An alternative date will be arranged.
2011 N0.22
Classic bike racing at Ras
Loughguile
This is the second year that Ballymoney cycling club have held these races at Loughguile, The
riders young and old come from all over Ireland to compete for the healthy prizes on offer. from Fermanagh
Donegal, Monaghan, Meath and Dublin they lined up to face the challenges ahead. With local cycling getting
great publicity and the sport is growing in popularity.
The people in charge at Ballymoney CC decided to make their series of races at Loughguile a "Real Challenge" As
was seen last year the now infamous Reservoir Rd being rode by the A2/A3 and A4 riders, the Ulster Woman's
League event was held on the Saturday. The U16 riders and under 14's on the Sunday saw everyone enjoy the
rigours of proper racing.
Former Northern Cycling President and racing legend Morris Foster was there on the Saturday to see the classy
vet rider and winner of the Cycling Ulster vets road race championships last weekend, Jonathan Dempsey riding
for East Antrim CC. Jonny who for the first time that an A2/A3
exclusive 70 mile race was held here, got himself joined by Ballymoney CC's Bryan McKinney and last years stage
event winner and leader of the TVR team from County Down Stevie Baines, These three built up a healthy gap
going into the mountain for the Mountain Loop, with Dempsey proving too
strong and he then left the rest of the fast disintegrating bunch to fight out the minor placings. Other BCC
riders in this race were Steven McAllister and Niall O'Hagan.
Final Result was,
1st Jonathan Dempsey EACC
2nd Matthew Brennan BRC
3rd Simon Taggart BRC
Ulster League Woman's Racing at Loughguile
The race organisers got a telephone call on the Wednesday before Saturdays race, asking them if the race could
be described as a hard course. Eventual winner Geraldine Gill Comeragh CC, from outside Dublin was assured it
would be worth the journey and she was not disappointed. Riding away from the others on the tough Orra mountain
section. Geraldine was followed in by Ciara MacManus in 2nd and Julie Mulligan from Omagh Wheelers in 3rd.
The members of Ballymoney Cycling Club who turned out to help was amazing, they swept the corners, put up the
signs, manned the corners,
drove the official cars, timed and judged the results and in the kitchen they fed everyone all day for the two
days racing. The praise heaped on the
Ballymoney club by the visitors has been ongoing on the internet and with endless telephone calls. Everyone
there helping knows who they are and can
feel proud of the efforts they contributed to make this weekends racing a massive success.
Stephen Walsh wins the A4 Race
On Sunday despite to rain the A4 riders set off to face the usual tough 50 miles in the mountains, the 50
strong field
saw Ballymoney Cycling Club represented by Jason Taggart, Devon McIlwaine, Jerome McKendry, Martin Carroll,
Adrian Madden, Olly Bateson,
Philip McKeown and the BCC race secretary Aaron Dickie. These lads all joined the others and were soon in the
action with Taggart and McIlwaine
in the lead group on the Reservoir Rd. But as the race developed, local riders from Bann Wheelers, Ironman
Ronnie Kidd and fast improving mountain
specialist Andrew Torrens, they both hunted hard and were unfortunate to be pipped at the post by Walsh from
Carn Wheelers, Ballymoney new boy
Devon McIlwaine getting a brilliant 7th place with Jerome McKendry 10th.
All of the Ballymoney riders rode to the finish and as usual done the club proud with their efforts in the
Ballymoney shirt.
The Final Result,
1st Stephen Walsh Carn Wheelers
2nd Ronnie Kidd BWCC
3rd Gary Jeffers East Tyrone CC
4th Andrew Torrens BWCC
7th Devon McIlwaine BCC
10th Jerome McKendry BCC
Exciting Youth Racing and Aaron Swan a star in the rising.
The future of cycling is shaped by the development and the progression of its young riders.
Winner of the U14 race over one lap of the Mountain Loop was rising star Clough lad Aaron Swan,
A race commentator described Swan's attack on the climb out of Corkey as savage and typical of riders likeTour
de France winner Stephen Roche in how he disposed of the other under 14s who were left in his wake. Aaron rode
most of the race on his own and was over 4 minutes ahead of the next rider.
Winner of the U16 race was Donegal lad A McBride and the Ballymoney Girls Caitie O'Hagan and Ellen McAree
finished in the under 12 race amongst the winners.
Special thanks to the Millennium Centre that was used for the race HQ this weekend, fantastic spot and
excellent comfortable facilities. And to everyone who along with the Ballymoney members done what it took to
get the job done.
Thank you to the riders their families and supporters who came along, see you all in 2012.
Great ride by Steven McAllister in 107 mile
Marathon
 Tour de France rider Nicholas Roche, Tour of Spain stage winner
Philip Deignan riding for the former 7 times Tour winner Lance Armstrong's team RadioShack. Dan Martin
just home from winning a professional race in Spain, and last years Irish Championship winner Matt
Brammeier lined up to do battle in the 107 mile epic Road Race.
Roche this week is lying 8th in the Tour de France that just started on Saturday.
Along side them was our own Ballymoney CC rider Steven McAllister, Steven was the only rider representing the
club in this titanic struggle for mind and body in what was to be a fantastic experience and one that the
Ballymoney lad would receive widespread praise from not only his club mates but other experienced cycling
pundits. Unattached local rider Chris Beattie was using the race in his continuing search for fitness and was
in the bunch up to 80 miles.
Steven McAllister who was under strict instructions from his coach and professional rider FBD Ras winner
Stephen Gallagher to ride this race sensibly and not do anything silly as it could prove fatal in the final
miles. Steven heeded this and with 2 laps to go the Ballymoney rider was in a group just over 90 seconds behind
the eventual winner and medallists.
 When the flag dropped on a bright and sunny morning the first
15 mile lap of the race was covered at almost 30mph average, with attack after attack going up the road.
The professional riders were not out to share anything with their fellow amateur country men, and David
McCann (Giant Kenda), Sam Bennett (An Post) and Stephen Gallagher (Premier MetalTech) were hammering the
pace at the front and the field saw many riders decide to step off shortly after the start
The Irish National Championships were this year held in Emyvale, Co Monaghan.
The elite cyclists from all over Ireland and the continental pros come back home in an
attempt to win the coveted green jersey that has been seen being worn in the Tour de France now
on a few occasions. Racing at it very best and not for the faint hearted in a sport that allows no
excuses,
Within a few miles Sam Bennett (An Post) and Nicolas Roche (AG2R La Mondiale) joined the break. The pace in the bunch rose yet again as the chase began in earnest. Dan Martin of Garmin-Cervélo rode hard to chase down the break along with Ronan McLaughlin (An Post Grant Thornton M. Donnelly Sean Kelly), Martyn Irvine (Giant Kenda) and Philip Deignan (RadioShack) but it was almost the half way stage before they managed to close the deficit. This group worked hard to maintain the gap over the main field. The peloton had not given up however and although the drags began to stretch out the bunch there was a lot of hard chasing going on. Just back from finishing the Tour of Italy a 3 week monster stage race RadioShack professional Philip Deignan dropped out of the race with two laps to go, still exhausted after his recent achievements on the world stage. In the closing miles of the race.
It became clearer as the race went on the Ballymoney rider, McAllister was getting stronger and along with other top local riders Conor McAllister and Philip Bremner they kept their bunch together and he was third as they crossed the line in Scotstown village packed with cycling enthusiasts and inquisitive locals. Cycling Ulster commented on their website "Congratulations to those riding the championships for the first time. Steven McAllister of Ballymoney who started the year as an A4 and has only been racing a short time".
McKinney in Irish 25 Mile TT Championships Ballymoney CC time trial specialist Bryan McKinney was representing the club in the Irish individual 25 mile TT, Bryan who in his first year ever in competing in this prestigious event. With the officials introducing a new measuring jig on the day of the competition, he had last minute adjustments to make to ensure his bike complied with UCI specifications. Bryan then had to use his Dad's bike at the last minute and as any cyclist knows a strange bike is indeed not a great help and take some getting used too. This event was held in horrendous conditions and was won by HTC Highroad's Matt Brammeier from David McCann and Michael Hutchinson.
Results Men's Elite Time Trial Championships 2011 1, Matt Brammeier (HTC Highroad) 50 mins 15 secs 2, David McCann (Giant Kenda) 50 mins 21 secs 3, Michael Hutchinson (In Gear Quick Vit UK) 50 mins 29 secs 4, Sean Downey (Cotes d’Armour) 51 mins 13 secs 5, Martyn (Irvine (Giant Kenda Pro Cycling) 51 mins 18 secs 6, Damien Shaw (Mullingar) 51 mins 43 secs Bryan McKinney (Ballymoney CC) 59mins 52secs Under 23: 1, Sean Downey (Cotes d’Armour) 51 mins 13 secs 2, Felix English (Science in Sport) 52 mins 3, Tigernach Murphy (South Dublin CC) 52 mins 51 secs
Coming events and Reports. Schoolboy sensation Aaron Swan wins the on the NEW Tullaghans course, next week you will find out how this lightweight took on the heavyweights and won in a David and Goliath type tussle over 28 tough miles. More photos from the Ballymoney Bike week and exciting news about the new Ballymoney CC community project along with Dalriada as they introduce cycling for everyone in the area. the official launch will be in the news very soon. The Ballymoney CC race this Wed night is a 10 mile TT on the Ballybogey Line at 7.15pm RAS Loughguile starts on Saturday with the Classic Race for A2/A3 riders starting at 11am along with the Cycling Ulster woman's league series also being held, this race starts after the men's race. On Sunday the A4 race is held starting at 2pm, and there are Youth races for U16/U14 and U12's 12 noon. 2011 No.20
McKinney tops at Three Day
Classic
Ballymoney Cycling Club were in stage race
action again at the weekend. They entered a team of five riders, Jason Henry, Chris Beattie, both from
Ballymoney, Stevie McAllister, Cathal Doyle a guest from Carn Wheelers and eventual top ten finisher Bryan
McKinney
Stage 1 - BCC results
14th Jason Henry 15th Steven McAllister 20th Bryan McKinney 31st Chris Beattie 47th Cathal Doyle ... all on the same time. Day two would be a busy day for the riders, it included a tough 50 mile road race in the morning then a super fast Time Trial in the evening. Fast finisher Jason Henry who was part of the BCC outfit at Ras Donegal, was at it again in Newry getting an excellent third on the mornings stage into Hilltown Stage 2 - BCC results 3rd Jason Henry 7th Steven McAllister 9th Bryan McKinney 16th Chris Beattie 42nd Cathal Doyle.... all same time BCC Team 1st and 4th in Overall GC 
Stage three, saw time trial specialist Bryan McKinney make a move for
overall victory as he raced at 30mph average into a fantastic second place a few seconds behind the winner.
Bryan has enjoyed a some great results this season with 11th at Bobby Crilly Classic that finishes on Divis
mountain and 3rd at the Emyvale Grand Prix.
Mechanical trouble for McAllister and Henry
prevented the BCC team from moving up the Team classification into 3rd out of 22 teams, this resulted in them
remaining just outside the top three by 5 seconds.
Stage 3 BCC Results
2nd Bryan McKinney 4.24
18th Steven McAllister 4.42
26th Chris Beattie 4.46
29th Jason Henry 4.50
37th Cathal Doyle 5.02
Stage four was a day for defending
the yellow jersey and others attempting to wrestle it from the Co. Down junior Aaron Baines. Baines was
surrounded by his strong Total Vision Racing team and despite attacks to get the jersey the nature of the
course saw him defend his lead around the Mournes and back to Newry for another sprint finish with BCC rider
Jason Henry getting another 3rd place and is now promoted to an A1 status rider, Bryan was 7th and Chris 10th.
Three BCC riders in the top 10 on the last day. Cathal was 41st on the same time as the winner. Fith BCC rider
Steven McAllister was involved in a high speed crash in the last three miles and finished behind the
bunch.
Stage 4 - BCC results
3rd Jason Henry
7th Bryan McKinney 10th Chris Beattie 41st Cathal Doyle ..... all the same time 65th Steven McAllister @ 4.34 1st Team in stage 4 and Final 4th placed Team in Overall GC This was a good solid BCC effort with 3 riders in the top 10 and Bryan holding on to 8th place overall. With Ballymoney Cycling Club fast becoming a club to be reckoned with, this is a date for the calender 2012. The Newry 3 Day is a race where possibly the club could field 2 teams. It is a fast but not too hard race for some of our newer riders to get started in stage racing. A BIG thanks to Eddy McKinney again for being the team mechanic, team manager and team driver. Jason Henry wins the Bendooragh Road Race
On Wednesday night Ballymoney CC held their weekly club race with a 24 mile race at Bendooragh. 22 riders were
divided into three groups and as usual it was hectic racing from the start. Super schoolboys Aaron Swan
and
 Craig Crawford as usual were
mixing it with the big boys and holding their own in style. Gareth McBride and other race winner Ollie
Bateson along with new sensation Devon McIlwain are getting used to riding in these faster type races and
improving every week. Caitie O'Hagan and Aoife Cameron Mitchell despite the bad and at times wintery
conditions competed in the Woman's race. This is very encouraging for the Ballymoney Club as the girls are
getting more and more involved. As it seems BCC are the only local club with a Youth Development Programme
in place there will be a crop of young riders hitting the Cycling Ireland stage in the coming months and
years.
Clear winner in the sprint finish was the newly promoted to A1 status Jason Henry from BCC's Jason Taggart.
The Final Result was,
1st – Jason Henry
2nd – Jason Taggart 3rd – Uel Cunningham 4th – Simon Taggart 5th – Adrian Madden 6th - Dean McIlfatrick 7th – Craig Crawford 8th – Devon McIlwaine 9th - Ollie Bateson 10th – James Thompson 11th – John Allen 12th – Wayne Stevens 13th – Garreth McBride 14th - Neville Patton 15th – Nigel Elder 16th – Steven McAllister 17th – Aaron Swan 18th – Ryan Fenton 19th – Ronnie Kidd 20th – Philip McKeown 21st - Ann Paul
Coming Events
This Wednesday 29th June at 7.15pm, there will be the weekly club road race on the Tullaghans circuit, there will be a new route introduced this week due to safety and road surface concerns. The start and finish will remain at the same place and the distance will be 28 miles. A route map will be on the BCC website prior to the event,www.ballymoneycyclingclub.com
Taggart and McBride 1st again!
Ballymoney Cycling Club riders once again are winning
races and setting the bar higher and higher for others to try and follow. Riders Jason Taggart and Gareth
McBride won the BCC 10TT championship and the GMC Electrical Road
Race at Portglenone.
Other outstanding performances were done by first
timers to road racing, Devon McIlwaine and Wayne Stevens, both getting 8th and 10th in their first ever open
road race.
 Jason Taggart wins the BCC 10TT
Championship.
On a drab and blustery evening on the Portrush line the Ballymoney club's riders
assembled to face a tough and testing experience for the Club's prestigious title of
Time Trial Champion over 10 miles. Time keeper Mary McKinney lined the 22 up and as they set off
it was clear that the competition would be high. Steven McAllister and Niall O'Hagan just back
from a very successful RAS Donegal, where they were the 5th best team out of 18 other teams from all over
Ireland.
In the field of men the girls of BCC were also in action with Sophie, Caitie and Ellen getting their prizes for
their efforts in the Woman's section.
The three finished in that order.
Personal best times were set by Olly Bateson, Devon McIlwaine, Garreth McBride, Niall O'Hagan, Wayne Stevens,
Jason Taggart and
Jerome McKendry. But it was the popular and tough Taggart who was accepting no trespassers on his turf as the
club's top time trialist
over this distance.
With a storming ride he was 28 and 30 seconds a head of the other two medal winners. this puts him now as the
undisputed best
time trialist in the club over this distance in 2011.
Complete Results.
1st Jason Taggart 22.40 - Gold Medal
2nd Stevie McAllister 23.08 - Silver Medal
3rd Niall O'Hagan 23.10 Bronze Medal
4th Wayne Stevens 23.49
5th Olly Bateson 24.15
6th Jerome McKendry 24.38
7th Adrian Madden 25.10
8th Martin Carroll 25.20
9th Garreth McBride 25.39
10th Devon McIlwaine 26.52
11th Conor Higgins 28.47
In the Girls Junior Section.
Sophie Cameron Mitchell 34.04
Caitie O'Hagan 35.50
Ellen McAree 37.23
Visitors times.
Derek McMenemy 22.50
James Mullan 23.59
Colin Loughery 24.00
Damien Hazlett 25.04
Nigel Elder 25.45
David Strang 25.52
Robbie McElderry 25.56
Ewan Strang DNF
McKendry, Stevens and McIlwaine in the Top
10.
Six Ballymoney CC riders set off on Sunday to ride the popular
Classic races in Banbridge.
The Noel Teggart Memorial races, on the Banbridge, Gillford,
Scarva eleven mile circuit.
In the 80 mile Noel Teggart A race Ballymoney riders Steven
McAllister and Jason Henry (U/A) were in
action with the best in the country and both of them finished 7th
and 8th on a very commendable display
by both of them. McAllister who is preparing to face Tour de
France, Tour of Italy and Spain, riders Nicholas
Roche, Philip Deignan along with other Irish professionals in the
National Road Race Championships in Emyvale,
County Monaghan on Sunday 26th, there will be a full report next
week.
In the A3 race Bryan McKinney and Niall O'Hagan were in action in
this race. Niall suffered a mechanical problem early on and spent the rest of the race on his own, with Bryan continuing his race
preparation and finished in the bunch of 46 finishers.
The B race with 56 starters, BCC riders Jerome McKendry, Wayne
Stevens and Devon McIlwaine were in the thick of the action from the start. This race was won by the coming back to form, and classy
Nigel Quigley from other local club Bann Wheelers. Nigel broke clear on his own to win by a considerable margin. In the hectic sprint
for the line, Jerome grabbed 6th with Wayne 8th and Devon 10th.
With Jerome now only 2 points off being upgraded to A3, the other
two lads deserve mention for their heroics in this their first ever open road races. The strength in depth this gives the Ballymoney club is
invaluable when it comes to selecting teams for upcoming events.
In the school kids event, Ballymoney CC talented Cross and
Passion schoolgirl Caitie O'Hagan showed her skills in this event and ended up in the top ten results.
Orra Mountain Classic TT
This has to be one of the best local races and is fast becoming a
feature on the serious racers calendar each year. One professional rider even contacted the Club to express his regret about being unable to
attend due to race commitments at the Pro Series town centre races
in England. On this balmy evening 19 riders faced the daunting
challenge on the "Infamous" Orra mountain with the first assault on its summit
on Altirichard Road.
With some of the club's riders getting ready for the weekends
Newry 3 Day it was down to the hardened TT and climbing specialists to keep the
club colours flying. And once again the stylist
and hard riding Jerome McKendry rose to the occasion. Jerome smashed the club's best ever members time by a whooping 3
minutes and 24 seconds. He has now raised the bar to a level that the rest of the club
will
have to stretch to get close. The new all comers record was set
by weekend winner at Banbridge, Nigel Quigley, in 47 mins and 27secs. Fast and flying
schoolboy Craig Crawford also set a new schoolboy
record with 51.08.
A special thank you to the time keeper Mary McKinney and the
marshals who secured the roads to make sure there was safe racing enjoyed by everyone.
Other times on the night were.
1stNigel Quigley 47.27
2ndJerome McKendry 48.33
3rd Dean McElfatrick Bann
Valley 48:48
4 Ronnie Kidd Bann
Wheelers 49:31
5 Dominic Drumm Bann Wheelers 50:20 6 Wayne Stevens Ballymoney Cycling Club 50:49 7 Andrew Torrens Bann Wheelers 50:50 8 Oliver Bateson Ballymoney Cycling Club 50:57 9 Jason Taggart Ballymoney Cycling Club 51:00 10 Craig Crawford TSC / BCC 00:51:08 (New School Boy Record) 11 Devon McIlwaine Ballymoney Cycling Club 51:50 12 Adrian Madden Ballymoney Cycling Club 52:19 13 Martin Carroll Ballymoney Cycling Club 53:09 14 Stephen Logan Bann Wheelers 54:07 15 Garreth McBride Ballymoney Cycling Club 54:10 16 Philip McKeown Ballymoney Cycling Club 55:06 17 Aaron Dickie Ballymoney Cycling Club 58:40 18 Conor Higgins BCC - 61:56 19 Eddie McKinney Ballymoney Cycling Club 63:10
Bike Week in Ballymoney.
Tuesday 3.30pm
Ballymoney Cycling
Club's Joan
Trengove has arranged a series of
Bike events for everyone in Ballymoney this week.
On Tuesday it is the"Kids Fun on Bikes
Bonanza"at the Model School from 3.30pm. Children from 8 years and under are invited to come
along.
Parents are encouraged to come along and join
in.
Children of all abilities and disabilities are
welcome to come along on a bike, trike or balance bike, with or without stabilisers.
FREEHealthy snacks and drinks will be
supplied.
Family Fun
Cycle,
Thursday evening at 6.30pm from the Joey Dunlop
Centre especially for kids from 9 - 11 years of age, there is an opportunity for a safe and
enjoyable
family bike ride following the SAFE and secure
town's Connect" shared path network to the Riverside park and back to the JD Centre.
FREE healthy drinks and snack will be
provided.
Youth Leisure bike ride with Professional
Cyclists
An exciting opportunity for 12 - 16 year old kids to meet and
ride with the BCC Racing Team and other professional cyclists from here in Ireland. Not only will you
be able to meet the riders and go for a leisurely run at "Your
own" pace, but this is an opportunity to see the specialised
equipment they use in competition.
The £7000 machines, the aero top of the range wheels and clothing
these athletes have to compete week in week out. Evertyone is invited to the Townhead street car park on
Friday night at 6.30pm.
FREE Drinks and snacks will be provided.
Club Racing this week.
Wednesday night is the BCC Road race at Bendooragh, starting at 7.15pm and is 25 miles long. The Interclub
league road racing is at Bann Wheelers this week and is on the Letterloan Circuit at Kennedy's Quarry from
7.00pm
2011 No.18
The Best
yet from Ballymoney Cycling Club
Ballymoney Cycling Club 5th out of 18 teams, Stevie McAllister 9th
overall
in the final General Classification, Jason Henry 6th on stage 1 and 5th on stage
3. And McAllister again6th on the final monster stage finishing at the top
of Glengesh mountain, this year run in freezing wet and treacherous conditions.
This performance by the Ballymoney club is the best performances ever by any team
of individuals in the area.
Four Masters in Letterkenny promote annually the Ras Donegal based this year
in
Ardara. This is a tough four stage race held over 3 days.
Ballymoney CC entered a four man team for the challenge that lay ahead. Stevie
McAllister
Bryan McKinney, Niall O'Hagan and guest rider and local lad Jason Henry gathered
on Friday night along with140 other riders to take part in what is known
as "Crazy Friday" On the road out of Ardara on the way towards Glenties it wasplain to see that was going to be a tough weeks racing. Speeds at almost 40 mph and constant
attacks saw the stretched bunch struggleto stay intact. Onto the coast
road for Killybegs and the now fractured bunch racing headlong to the bottom of the long Cat 2
climbbefore the neckbreak plunge down into Ardara main Street for the
finish. With Jason, Stevie and Bryan in this group it was not an eveningfor heroics but Ballymoney's fast finisher Jason Henry launched his famous winning sprint for
the line but the unfamiliar terrain saw him caught
and passed before the line, settling for 6th place. Followed by Bryan, Stevie and
Niall.
Stage 2 was on the side of a mountain, 2.6 miles of torturous climbing to the
top. The Ballymoney boys were off first led by Niall, this is Niall's
first experience in this type of stage racing and was showing his true grit in
style, appearing out of the mist as the riders clawed their way to the top.
Fastest Ballymoney rider was Bryan McKinney, from Jason, Stevie and
Niall.
It was now time for recovery and top up the energy levels before the important
3rd stage over 60 miles in tough unforgiving terrain. The four boys were boosted by support from home as
friends and members of Ballymoney CC came down to cheer them on. Leaving the Toon at 6am to get to Ardara for
the 2nd and 3rd stages.
Special thanks to Davy Wallace, Nigel Elder, Olly Bateson, Garreth McBride and
Adrian Madden.
2.30 pm and the now sore and suffering legs were evident as the bunch rolled out
towards Portnoo. The Ballymoney boys were early into the action with Bryan
McKinney breaking away and at one stage had 20 seconds on the bunch as he raced
towards the steep and energy sapping Corkscrew climb in an attempt
to get some points in the "King of the Mountains" competition. But with the
yellow jersey in a hostile mood Bryan was chased down and had to settle for third
over the top. It seemed to be a day for sorting things out and a firm challenge
could be mounted on yellow if the right people got together.
Racing towards Glenties and the final 4 miles to Ardara a now depleted bunch of
40 plus hardened riders were getting ready to sprint for the honours again.
2 mile to go and BCC's Bryan McKinney punctured as the now racing bunch snaked
across the road. Fast finisher Jason Henry was agin looking for a good
position and was on the wheel of team mate McAllister as they jostled for
position. Jason this time getting 5th.
The Final stage and pale weary faces signed on in torrential rain and biting
winds, quiet conversations were held as plans were drawn up for a possible Ulster victory
over the man in yellow from Castlebar Olympic rider Damien Shaw, Shaw led the
field by just over 60 seconds. With the Ballymoney riders under 2 minutes down it was clear from McAllister
defiant and sullen demeanour that he had been stung and was under strict instructions to put in a challenge if
not for the yellow jersey at least go for a top stage position.
With the familiar and daunting mountain top finish on Glengesh, the tired bunch
headed out the road again for one final clash in this saga of mental and physical wills in the mountains of
Donegal. 4 stiff Cat 2 climbs and the final Cat 1 were on the organisers menu for the day. After 30 miles it
could be heard on race radio a group of four riders were 2 minutes up on the now disintegrated bunch that was
split and scattered along the wet roads. Out of this bunch came an attack by Ballymoney's Jason Henry followed
by Steven McAllister. Heads down the two lads set about hunting the four riders up the road down and making a
serious challenge for yellow. But the classy Castlebar man joined the two Ballymoney riders as they entered
Ardara for the first lap and with 20 miles to go. McAllister who was riding strong and with the group of four
caught he set a blistering pace with the yellow jersey on tow heading into the valley at the foot of the
mountain. With the summit shrouded in mist the unbelievably tough climb was hit with a frantic clattering of
gears changing as they headed up the slopes to the summit. Top Ulster team rider Matt Adair won the stage and
the Ballymoney CC rider had to settle for 6th place and 9th overall for the Ras Donegal 2011. Team mates Jason
Henry, Bryan McKinney and Niall O'Hagan were all
successful finishers.
Special thanks goes to Eddy McKinney who looked after the team on the road each
day with, wheels, bottles and food.
Reports coming next week,
The Ballymoney Cycling Club 10 TT Championships, head to head clash on the
Portrush line, with a well deserved winner. The Noel Teggart Memorial Road races at
Banbridge, first time outings for Devon McIlwaine and Wayne Stevens, read how
they get on in this Classic racing
Events this week.
The Orra Mountain Classic TT on Wednesday evening starts in Magherahoney at
715pm. This weekend is the Newry 3 Day with Ballymoney CC
entering a very strong 5 man team for this battle in the Mournes, full reports
next week.
| ||
Travelling down to Newry on the Friday night for the first stage the five
lads were to the front at the fast and furious Newry 3 Day held in the foot hills of the Mourne
Mountains.
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