Cycling: Carn Wheelers youth in Errigal Youth Tour action

Over the course of a very wet weekend Marc Heaney and the Elder girls competed in two road stages and a TT stage that would test our most hardened senior riders.

At the time of going to press the last challenge a Criterium circuit in the town of Letterkenny was the final event our young riders had to overcome.

Apollo CC held their annual GP in Craigavon on Sunday. The 38 mile race circumvents Lough Gullion which lies just south of Lough Neagh, the flat course at the peak of the race season laid the foundation for some lightening fast racing.

Two races were on offer for the racers, in the A4 race Nicky Gormley fresh from his triumphant completion of the Frankfurt Ironman had the legs to cross the line in 3rd. After his 5th at the Foyle GP, Nicky is now upgraded to A3 category races.

In the A race Johnny Taylor was again in flying form taking 2nd in a hotly contested race, as the opportunities to win points are starting to run out these races are becoming unmissable.

Beginners Group- A good mixture of riders in the clubs new beginners group headed off for their week 3 Sunday cycle with a wee bit of extra on the cards. Out of Maghera and into Tobermore and straight on to Lough Fea. The twist in the tail was the climb then over Ballybriest. Splitting into twos and threes with plenty of encouragement at hand all climbed well. A new route to most of us was through Claggan and Lissan and into Cookstown.

From here the group worked hard to Moneymore and on to Desertmartin. A game of catch up took place with half of the group heading on to Draperstown and Moneyneany and the other half giving themselves a chase. Good team work and chat and with the wind helping on the Fivemilestraight it was straight for Maghera. Please note all club members need to take their turn with the new group. It’s great to see new riders out.

The more experienced cyclists headed to Kilrea, Ballymoney, Bushmills, the two Ports, Coleraine and back to Maghera. A total of 74 miles at an average of 18.6 mph. A few of these folks then went on to secure their “August Gran Fondos” on Strava (ie 130km in a single cycle).

Club Road Race- This Thursday, 7th, the club is holding its final road race of the year on our Wood Road circuit.

The 30 mile race will begin at 7.15pm with sign on from 6.30pm. A club race licence and helmet is compulsory.

TT Results

Raphael Scullion - Spires CC - 22.28

Sean Wilson - Spires CC - 23.30 (PB on Course)

Artie O’Kane - Carn Wheelers - 25.50 (PB)

Ali Gribbon - Carn Wheelers -21.41

Jody Evans - Carn Wheelers - 22.49

John Dickey - BVRC - 23.11

Johnny Taylor - Carn Wheelers - 21.11

Gerard McNally - BVRC - 22.17

David Hogg - Roe Valley - 22.45 (PB)

Stephen Mullan - Roe Valley - 22.59 (PB)

Conor Mullin - Roe Valley - 21.33 (PB on Course)

Stephen Halferty - Carn Wheelers - 25.11 (PB)

Great results by all and well done to all who set new PBs. Thanks to all who took part and to all the marshals who ensured this was another safe event.