Ballymoney Cycling Club in charity ride for Royal Belfast Hospital

HEARTLINE N.I and the Royal Belfast's Clark Clinic, both of which took care of Irish professional cyclist Stephen Gallagher's and wife Judith's son Cody up until he died in December 2009.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Jan 2010, 08:55 BST
Updated 25th Jan 2010, 13:52 BST

They organised the Cody Challenge to raise awareness and raise funds, this event on Saturday put in motion by the Gallagher family along with the local cycling clubs and saw a massive entry of almost 400 riders take part.

All proceeds went to the Hospital and Heartline.

Ireland’s Best Cyclist’s in Armagh

Cycling Ireland president Rory Wylie, joined Stephen and his professional colleagues Ronan McLaughlin and Paudi O’Brien, Ballymoney Cycling Club’s rider Steven McAllister was also in this 70 mile group and was in the lead group at the finish, completing the arduous Armagh course in 3 hours and 10 minutes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Multi – RAS winner Philip Cassidy travelled up from Dublin to be there.

Such was the feeling of support that club representation was massive, Clubs from North Down, Omagh, Belfast, Newry, Lurgan, Ballymoney, Dromara, Banbridge, Coalisland, Ards, Foyle, E. Tyrone, Carrick, Kings Moss, Enniskillen, Ballymena, Donegal, Dublin, Emyvale, Sligo, Westport the list goes on. Motorcyclist Paul Devenney, travelled from Strabane to assist with the motorcycle marshalling.

Ballymoney runner and friend of the Gallagher family Kieran O’Neill ran 20 miles in support of the event.

In the freezing dank and foggy conditions the riders were divided into 3 groups, 25 miles, 50 miles, this group included Ballymoney CC riders Nigel Elder, Niall O’Hagan, Philip and Maurice McAllister, all of them successfully completed the event.

And the 70 mile group where Steven McAllister took part.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ballymoney secretary Bobby Kane unable to attend due to bad health passed on his congratulations to all the riders and expressed his feelings of pride for the Ballymoney riders who took the time and made the effort to support this worthy cause. Supporters and members of the public have contacted both the chairman Nat Magee and Bobby with messages of good wishes and every success to the Ballymoney Club.

Expressing their admiration for the riders who took part in this great event Ballymoney CC is about supporting families.

Nat Magee said that when Ballymoney Cycling Club was formed it was about being a family and for families to get involved, what our members were doing in the Cody’s Challenge was just supporting another family, in this case the Gallagher family in the loss of their wee son.

We as a cycling club do this by riding our bikes and lending our time and support.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Nat extended his congratulations to everyone who took part and helped in any way.

Irish Professional Stephen Gallagher to visit Ballymoney.

At the end of the event on Saturday, Stephen approached the Ballymoney riders before they left and in a very kind gesture, has offered to come to Ballymoney and coach the club’s riders and give them tips and hints for the incoming season.

Stephen who is a personal friend of Ballymoney CC Race secretary Ryan Patton, is more than keen to link up with his old race partner again.

Details for this event are being at present being arranged and all members will be notified

Club Registrations and Club Organisation meeting.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the current season about to get under way, Ballymoney CC are holding another Club registration evening on Tuesday 2nd February at 7.30pm in the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre.

Everyone is invited and anyone interested are welcome to come along and find out more about what the club is doing.

Weekend Club Runs

Saturday runs leave from Outdoor Life car park on Market St , at 9.30am

Sunday leaves from Ballymoney Rugby Club car park at 9.30am

On both days there will be two runs to suit all abilities.