Icy conditions make things difficult for Trail Quest cyclists

This annual event is one of the most popular of Dromara's series of leisure mountain bike events but the recent cold snap had left many of the secondary roads very slippery and this was a factor in the lower than usual turn out.

The tricky conditions did not put off the hardcore trail questers with approximately 30 teams of eager cyclists showing up early on the Sunday morning slipping and sliding across the forecourt to sign on.

To further highlight the slippery conditions those standing in the forecourt witnessed several other cyclists on road bikes taking a tumble when they entered the forecourt from the rear entrance.

Suitably warned the first teams took off just after 10:30am with most taking part in the three and a half hour event with two teams of juniors completing the two hour event.

As before the teams were issued with a map showing the location of 32 markers spread out from Drumaness to Dundrum with point values from 10 to 40. Teams had to decide on the fastest route to locate the most markers in the given time. The added complexity was deciding which lanes to avoid because of ice with many finding out the hard way.

Within minutes of the start there was the first injury with Alan Reid from the club retiring with an injured ankle. Thankfully this was the only major injury of the day but there had been numerous topples among all the teams and as expected this year's event was not as high scoring as in previous years.

The 32 markers represented a total of 530 points and it was the experienced Team Nocturnal who won achieving 305 of those points. There was a tie for second place between teams CCAR and The Losers with both achieving 296 points. Team Purple, made up of members of Newry Wheelers, was fourth with solo rider Paul McArthur finishing fifth.

Teams start to lose points if they do not return within the time allowed and today's event saw 10 teams lose points for being late with team Wacky Racers unfortunately arriving back over 20 minutes late and losing all the points they had worked so hard to achieve.

These leisure events attract a wide range of cyclists from first timers to seasoned veterans as well as adventure racers like Ivan Park, who has recently returned from competing in Adu Dhabi, and top flight racers like Roger Aiken who recently retained the title of Ulster Cyclo Cross Champion.

The six events have been organised to raise money for the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children which has been the chosen charity for Dromara Cycling Club for many years.

A big thank you to Ross Galway for setting up this round of the trail quest series. Many thanks also to Connor McKibben and the hardworking staff at Brennan's Garage for providing the much appreciated hot soup and rolls.

The next round of the trail quest series will take place on Sunday January 10 at Paddy's Barn, Saul, Downpatrick. Please check a check on the club's website www.dromaracc.co.uk as the continued cold conditions may require the event to be postponed.

The final round in due to take place on Sunday Januray 17 from the Northern Ireland Children's Cancer Charity Home, Shimna Valley, in Newcastle.

Dromara CC would also hope to hold a 35 mile leisure tour to include the roadies in the fundraising, but this will be weather permitting. Dromara Cycling Club were able to present a donation cheque of 3000 in January 2009 and would hope they can match this amount in 2010, so please come along and support these worthwhile events.