Road Club cyclists hold Annual General Meeting

The meeting was well attended and those present heard reports from Treasurer Richard Wilson, Race Secretary Hugh McCullough and touring chairman Patsy McGurk.

The out going chairman Jim Burns thanked all those who had assisted the club during the season including new sponsors Chain Reaction Cycles and also existing sponsors Northstone NI ltd.

Jim also praised the work of his fellow committee members for the support during his one year in office. Jim outlined that he wasn’t seeking re-election to the post and stated that he hoped to take part in the club’s time trial series again next season.

Former chairman Billy Jebb then conducted the election of office bearers and various committee members for the 2013 season.

The main posts have been filled as follows:

President - Alan Mark, Secretary - Hazel Hughes, Race Secretary - Hugh McCullough, Treasurer – Richard Wilson. Andrew Wills was nominated to the post of Chairman and elected un-opposed.

Other positions are as follows:

Vice Presidents: Rex Bonar, Gordon Caldwell, Ronnie Linton and John Maxwell.

Vice Chairman – Geoff Allen. Assistant Treasurer – Rex Bonar.

Registrar and PRO - Richard Wilson. Child care officer – Adrian Kerr.

Website Administrator – Clifford Grant. Handicappers: For road races - Alan Blair and Hugh McCullough. Time trials - Richard Wilson.

The panels of timekeepers and assistant timekeepers were also elected as were the Touring, Racing and ladies committees. Congratulations to all those who continue to show a willingness to manage and contribute to the smooth running of the club, your help is greatly appreciated by all the club members.

Mayor visits fun tour cyclists.

The mayor of Ballymena Alderman PJ McAvoy was in attendance to set the cyclists off on last Saturday morning’s Ballymena Road Club – Chain Reaction Cycles – fun tour.

Club Vice President John Maxwell was on hand to give P.J. a brief tour of the club’s Rex Bonar house premises. He then thanked the Mayor for the continued support which the club receives from the council for the fun tours. The mayor praised the work of the club and said he was delighted to see such a large turnout of cyclists of all ages, both male and female.

A total of 69 cyclists assembled at the start and once again there were three groups.

The touring section bunch was the biggest with 34 riders and they completed a 40 miles ride to Teeshan, Dunminning, Dunloy, Ballymoney, Bravallen, Mullan Road to Aghill Road and on to Carclinty and Cullybackey.

The “B” group had 26 riders and their route included Doagh, Mallusk, Seven Mile straight to Antrim then on to Randalstown and Portglenone for a total of 55 miles at 17.8 mph.

The “A” group on Saturday had just 9 riders and once again many thanks to Martin Ruddy for providing me with information from his Garmin satnav. Their 58 miles route was completed at 18.3 mph. The course took in Slaght Randalstown, Antrim, Crumlin, Glenavy, Leathemstown then up past the Ulster Grand Prix grand stand and half a lap of the famous circuit before descending to Dundrod village. Next it was across to the Seven Mile straight and the fast downhill section back to Antrim and on down the Lisnevenagh road to Ballymena.

Another £23 was donated on Saturday and this now leaves the charity fund, for the Chernobyl Children’s appeal at £857. Saturday was ride number seven of the 13 week series so there is a chance that this year’s target of £900 may be reached.

Another ten riders completed their fifth ride on Saturday and they earned their bronze medals. The successful riders were Jim Burns, Michael Clarke, Uel Cunningham, Caleb and Stephen Dempsey, Siobhan Fisher, Millar Montgomery, Nigel Small, Simon Taggart and Andrew Wills.

This Saturday’s ride will again leave from Rex Bonar House at 9.30am. This will be ride eight in the series and as such will be the first opportunity for those with full attendance to earn their silver medals. Let’s hope for another dry day, we have enjoyed seven out of seven dry Saturdays so far which is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Club prize presentation dinner.

The 2012 Ballymena Road Club prize presentation dinner will take place at Eaton Park on Friday 30th November and all silverware needs to be engraved in good time for the dinner. Please make sure all trophies are returned clean and polished.

Tickets are now available for the function and have been selling very well so far. Prices are £17.50 for adults and £10 for youths, please ensure you pay for your ticket before the night of the dinner.