Author: kgmcveigh

2018 Awards Night

Friday 16th November saw the second annual awards night for Crossgar Cycling Club in the Corner Inn Crossgar. It was great to see so many club members there on the night having a great time. It is an indication of how well our club is coming along to see so many new faces since last year, especially the increase in ladies and juniors.

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Chairman Ted Ellison provided some comedy and also gave out the awards.

The first award of the night was the ever popular cyclist of the month award with the prize being the coveted pink CCC socks.
The winners were –  Theresa, Fergal, Loris, Ross, Roisin and Conor

Outstanding Achievement Award 2017 – Jake Casement for the Malin to Mizen cycle.

Outstanding Achievement Award 2018 – Theresa Leavy – for the London to Amsterdam cycle for MS.

The King Of The Hills 2018 – Gary O Connor

Best Time Trialist 2018 – Paul Curran

Best Sprinter 2018 – Paul Curran

Strava League Winner 2018 – Gary O Connor

Best Improved Cyclist 2018 – Fergal Quinn

Young Cyclist Of The Year 2018 – Loris Carson

Cyclist Of The Year 2018 – Paul Curran

Club Person Of The Year 2018 – Stephen Burns – Gerard Murray

Many thanks to the Corner Inn for their hospitality.

Remember we still have a full schedule of cycling over the winter months. Sunday runs continue from SuperValu at 9am with groups suitable for all abilities. The Tuesday night flying squad go at the same time 6:45 and a new MTB option is also available in Castleward on Monday evenings – check the messenger groups for details on that.
At this time of the year remember the lights, mudguards and hi-vis ( and money for coffee and cake – it is the off season after all!!!)

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Strava League Roundup

First of all apologies for the length of time it has taken to get the results up. I’ve been taking the ‘off season’ way too literally and any claims that I’ve been sulking for a fortnight are unfounded :0)

Congratulations to Gary ‘machine’ O’Connor – the new Strava champion for 2018. He has consistently been the strongest rider over the 6 months and a deserved winner. Gary went into the final month with a 6.5 point lead and extended this by a further 3.

Gary

A special mention to defending champ Siv who fought bravely to the end. When you look at the segment results individually it shows that it really only comes down to seconds.

1st Gary      456.5 points
2nd Siv        447  points
3rd Kieran  417 points

Strava awards will be presented at the club awards night in the Corner Inn Crossgar on 16th November so SAVE THE DATE.
It’s tradition that the Strava Champion buys everybody 2 drinks and a packet of bacon fries so don’t forget your wallet Gary!

Thanks to everyone that helped to organise the league by picking segments, collating results etc and especially those who took part.

It may seem a bit early to be thinking about next year BUT everyone knows that ‘Winter miles = summer smiles’ so keep it going over the winter as much as possible – the alternative of course is to buy one of those special formula vapes that Gary uses                …. just sayin.

 

Giant’s Causeway Coast Sportive

On Saturday 8th September 8 members of the club made the long journey to Ballycastle to tackle the Giant’s Causeway sportive.  There were over 1,100 cyclists tackling the 3 available routes.

GCCC 2018

Opting for the 85 mile route was probably a good idea given that the finish was up the famous Torr Head climb. After a wet and miserable start at 8:30 we soon got warmed up on the long drags up and around the glens. The organisation, marshals and food stops were all excellent.

 

 

A quick stop at the 60 mile mark in Cushendun gave us time to refuel and discuss tactics for the monster of a climb ahead. 41564819_2412120428804307_7748517560609406976_o

Thankfully the roads had dried up by this time and we had a bit of a tail wind on the climbs. It was still an epic climb and well worth the effort.

 

Congratulations to all who took part. We started and finished as a club and rode strongly throughout. Many thanks to the organisers.

 

Lumos Maxima

Folks,

The nights are dropping away badly. It’s not only common sense to have proper lights front and back – it’s the law!!!

We need to be conscious of this especially on our midweek runs – the club committee would ask that all members coming on the group rides have lights fitted.

CCC Lights

Everything you wanted to know about bike lights but were afraid to ask …. here

 

 

 

 

 

Summer BBQ

BBQ

 

The club is pleased to announce it’s first summer BBQ to be held at the Lakeside Inn on 10th August. All club members and their families are welcome.

The plan is…

4 pm to 6 pm Leisure Cycle

6 pm to 8 pm Family BBQ

8 pm to late – drinks and music

Contact any member of the committee for tickets.

 

 

 

Athlos Sponsorship

We are pleased to announce that Athlos Triathlon Store have come on board to help support Crossgar CC. Special discounts are available for all club members for purchases and maintenance / repairs.

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Bicycle sales and repairs, swimming, cycling and running equipment, accessories, clothing and shoes, wet suits, gait analysis, bike servicing and parts. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Athlos Triathlon shop and online store, 148-150 Lisburn Road, Belfast.

Call: 028 9068 1200

www.athlostriathlon.com

Bishopscourt Road Race

Saturday 2nd June saw a number of club members try their hand at road race racing for the first time. The race was hosted by Dromara Cycling Club on the Bishopscourt racing circuit.

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Ted Ellison and Marcus Chesney were up first in the Masters race – 10 laps of the 2 mile circuit. The smooth surface and lack of wind meant that any attempts at a break away were quickly chased down.

Unfortunately for big Ted he touched wheels and came off in the 3rd lap and had to retire. Luckily for Ted he only suffered minor cuts and bruises although sadly the Crossgar jersey is now only fit for the bin.

Marcus fared much better in what was his first race in some 14 years and finished just outside the top 10 with an average speed over 24 mph – a job well done!!

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Kieran, Gary and Paul were up next in the A4 Ronnie Smyth Cup over 15 laps. This race followed the same pattern as the Masters race and really came down the last lap and the sprint home after the last turn. All three rode strongly and stayed out of trouble.

Kieran was first Crossgar rider over the line in 10th place closely followed by Gary in 12th with Paul only 2 seconds later.

The race proved to be a great experience for the guys new to racing and it was great to see Crossgar jerseys mixing it up with the other clubs. Many thanks to the host club Dromara for their hospitality, for looking after Ted after his crash and
for putting on a great race…

Photos courtesy of Sharon McFarland

TOG 150k

Crossgar CC members tackle Tour of the Glens 2018

Some photo’s from the recent Tour of the Glens 150k sportive hosted by Castlereagh Cycling Club on Sunday 6th May. The early start and long drive to Cushendall was well worth the effort. The weather was fantastic and the route boasting almost 6,000 ft of climbing was truly epic.

We were well looked after by the host club who provided a great spread at half way and at the finish. Everyone was also treated to a medal, water bottle, gels and a £10 voucher for McConvey Cycles.

Definitely one for the calendar again next year!