Olympic medallist cycles on Comber path

Olympic medallist cycles on Comber path

4 September 2013

NORTHERN Ireland Olympic silver medallist and world championship winning cyclist Wendy Houvenaghel was in Comber last Saturday.

She was in the town to promote the town’s Greenway which links it with Belfast via a series of paths used by cyclists and walkers.

Wendy was taking part in the Pedal on UK “keep the Olympic and Paralympic cycling spirit thriving in communities across the UK” initiative.

She was joined in Comber by the Mayor of Ards Council, Councillor Stephen McIlveen, Strangford MLA Michelle McIlveen and Sustrans NI Director Gordon Clarke.

Wendy led off the Comber leg of the event along with the Mayor with the duo following the seven mile length of the greenway to Belfast’s Titanic Quarter which was transformed into a free cycling and walking festival.

Mayor McIlveen said it was a delight to welcome the Beijing Olympic medallist to the Ards Borough.

He continued: “It was Wendy’s first time along the greenway and she was extremely impressed with the traffic free environment which is so well used by cyclists, runners and walkers.

“About 50 cyclists of all ages took part in the ride from Comber into Belfast with others joining in along the way where they met up with others who cycled from Holywood, Newtownabbey and Lisburn.”

Mayor McIlveen added: “This was a fantastic event which formed part of the legacy of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, but also served to highlight what a fantastic asset we have in the Comber Greenway.”