Hot Chocolate Club off and cycling again

5 April 2017

THURSDAY was the first evening session of what was known in 2016 as the ‘Skinny Hot Chocolate Club’. The name for 2017 is up for debate, with suggestions welcome.

Six riders met on an evening that had the potential to be very wet, including Kieran Connolly, Neil McLaughlin, Ronan Kelly, Peadar Curran, JP and Danny O’Boyle at Bryansford Chapel looking for divine inspiration before heading up Fofanny to the top of Spelga.

Both RK and KC showed that their early Sunday mornings though the winter had been well spent, being first to the top in challenging conditions in terms of fog. The six riders regrouped at the top of Spelga before descending down the S and home towards Bryansford.

The BT31’ers broke off at Kilcoo and headed straight for Castlewellan, whilst the BT33’ers headed for Newcastle.

The plan for the Thursday throughout the spring and summer is to mix it up in terms of hills and flat, with a promise that no one will be left behind, so please feel free to me a line if you want to attend.

The meeting location may change each week, but will be decided at the start of the week.

Next week, the meeting point shall be at Keel Point, Dundrum and heading flat. Meeting at 18.30.

Sunday arrived and started in a bright but fresh manner. In the region of 40 senior club riders met under the recently erected club banner at the spiritual home of the SWCC at the site of the old tech car park. Responsibility for its erection goes to Ronan Kelly, so thanks for this.

The group of male and female members proceeded to the Newcastle Centre for the obligatory group photo before heading off in various routes. Some of the group went up the coast towards Kilkeel, but the majority headed towards Castlewellan and the SWCC 30 mile sportive route.

By this stage those heading on the sportive route had broken up into three groups — a safer alternative to one big group.

The first group adopted the ‘Hare’ principle, with some of the lads that had been involved the earlier club cycle that morning and benefiting from a skinny latte in Base to keep them going.

This group, by the end of the Lacken Road, had encountered its first mechanical and the rider in question had neither tube nor pump, but thanks to the kindness of this co-riders, all was well, with pit stop completed involving two fixers and nine bystanders!

By this stage, the chasing pack of close to 20 riders had caught up and, offering no sympathy nor consideration, headed for Rathfriland with club regulars Danny Carville, Eugene Carville and Martin Keown keeping a watchful eye on proceedings.

Next through was the Curran posse, including Peader and Fiona, who were making much steady progress on their way around.

All riders headed towards Rathfriland with the first group now working well together and by the Castlewellan Road, Rathfriland, had caught up with the first group.

As all the riders headed towards the Hilltown Road, it was clear that a convoy of motorcyclists was also on its was towards Hilltown.

The only word I can use for the ride towards Hilltown is ‘hairy’. Some of the speeds and passing that was witnessed from these motorcyclists was unreal, with little respect shown for cyclists and other motorists alike.

SWCC were more than relieved to make it to Hilltown where everyone regrouped and some members recharged. It’s amazing what a Bounty bar and a can of Club Orange can do!

Again, the riders headed towards Bryansford in a few groups before regrouping in Bryansford for a mass ride into Newcastle — a sight to behold.

All riders gathered in the Donard Bar for complimentary soup and stew, which was a welcome treat after a good day in the saddle.

It was good for many reasons, first of all for the turnout of club members giving all members an opportunity to ride in a group with new members, then the weather also made it an easy option, and finally the hospitality at the end.

The Enduro MTB season got underway at the weekend with the first round of the Firsttracks Enduro Cup in Bellurgan Park.

Practice day on Saturday was a mucky affair with extreme amounts of cleaning to be done afterwards to prepare for Sunday’s race.

In contrast, race day was sunny and dry leading to some fast racing. Eddie Hawkins and Aidan Hawkins represented the club.

Eddie returned to racing from a shoulder injury to take 10th place in the 40-49 category.

Aidan started well by winning the first of five stages. After an over the bars spill on the second stage caution was the name of the game as upcoming ‘A’ levels and broken bones are not compatible.

He finished in sixth place in the 19-29 category, just 30 seconds off the winner.

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder