Busy time at Shimna Wheelers

Busy time at Shimna Wheelers

21 June 2017

SHIMNA Wheelers stalwart Marty McVeigh had meticulously spent time throughout last Tuesday preparing the proposed Inter League course from the Ballyroney end of the Lacken Road, Kilcoo-bound, with orange paint marking the road furniture and high viz signs warning of cyclists at work.  

In his own management style, he dished out the orders on parking, order of racers and location of marshals, much to the humour of those around him.  Fair play Marty. 

Thirteen riders turned out, including two guest riders, Trevor Martin from the nearby Cornerstone Cycling Club, who was making his TT debut, and Mourne man Sam Herron, a likely addition to the VCM faithful sometime soon.

With the three competing clubs represented, only SWCC had the requisite numbers present to score on the night, but this didn’t dampen the efforts of all involved, as this would be the furthest southerly venue for the league to race.

The Lacken Road course is an undulating one and sometimes defined as a game of two halves, but with weather conditions, pleasant on the evening, ideal race conditions were evident. 

The preferred direction would be the homeward journey, allowing riders to gather momentum into the next straight, but with a few bumps and ascents on the outward stretch.  

Thrown into the mix was a walking group which decided to cross the road just as the first riders approached the finishing line, and parted like the ‘Red Sea’ as Scott Maitland and others approached.

Taking the podium places on the night were Scott Maitland (25.08), Andrew Evans (25.32) of KCC, and Stephen Heasley of LRCC (27.19), so well done lads.  

Deon McNeilly was first SWCC rider home in fourth place closely following by Michael Keown on his race debut, one he won’t forget, and Neil McLaughlin in fifth and sixth places, respectively.

Finally, this event couldn’t be run without the team of volunteers of race marshals. These included: Martin McCourt, Gryff, John g, Teddy, Eddie, Leah, John p, Declan and Sharon, so thanks to all who helped out.

The SWCC boys have been busy at the race series in Newry. 

Two weeks ago was the Eddie Crory Memorial race with a hill top finish in Rathfriland. 

The A race was won by Eddie’s son, Gary and the B race was won by none other than our own Brian McLornan with his debut win, rewarding him following his revised training regime.

Last week’s race was on the Newry to Warrenpoint carriageway with a finish in the Greenbank Estate in Newry. 

Andrew Porter was our newest member to join us and came and impressive fourth with Luke Roberts taking his second win with Brian taking a second place. 

Surely it is time for Luke to join the big boys now. Johnny performed well and kept in with his group three race, a great performance when competing against a tough field.

The next night, Adrian, Luke and Brian headed to the carriageway for the TVR 10mile TT. With a crazy head wind on the return, Adrian recorded an impressive 23:19, Luke completed it in 24:38, more than a minute better than his previous result and Brian recorded a time of 25:47.

This week sees a full team competing including Alex and Adrian returning to the series after marshalling for the challenge of the Greenbank ‘crit’ on a fast tight course adding a new dimension to the race.

On Sunday club members Caroline, Martin, Marty, Hugh and Joan headed to Bangor to take part in the Coastal Challenge of the Ards Peninsula of around 60 miles. 

On what was probably the warmest day of the year, this event was well supported and enjoyed by all participants.

Christopher Neill competed in the Newtownards town centre race on Wednesday night. He finished eight in the U-16 race. Chris was off to Banbridge on Sunday for the Noel Taggart Memorial Classic race.

Christopher started off well in hot and warm conditions, but unfortunately he was in another collision and came off the bike as he approached the end of the first lap. 

With handle bars straightened, Chris rejoined with the Senior A4 race and completed the final three laps. A hard work out. Hopefully, a bit of good luck is on it’s way.

Stevie Cunningham was competing in the A1/A2 race with a race distance of 82 miles in a quality field from all over Ireland. Stevie was never out of the action and at one stage had broke away with two other riders on the long drag from Scarva to Banbridge.

Last week was a busy one in terms of the various activities that members have been involved in and doesn’t including the various club rides undertaken in the past week with the Saturday Latte Group taking in Scarva, Newry and a traffic jam in Rostrevor.

In terms of numbers, registered Strava athletes on the SWCC feed undertook in excess of 3000 miles, or the equivalent of Belfast to Boston as well as climbing in excess of 55000 metres or more than six times Mount Everest. 

Please see club website for this week’s rides and if you are interested in coming along, please call the respective club ride captains for further information or assistance.

It’s now less that three weeks to the SWCC Sportive on Sunday, July 9, so please get sharing the registration page or log on at www.shimnawheelers.com.

This Saturday sees the club’s annual BBQ in O’Hares, with a starting time of 7.30pm. Please confirm your place with either Eugene Carville or Danny O’Boyle in advance.