Shimna Wheelers duo super fast at Carlingford

Shimna Wheelers duo super fast at Carlingford

25 March 2015

THE Irish Downhill Mountain Bike Series started in earnest with the first round in Carlingford hosted by Team Moho — and Shimna Wheelers members were there.

The riders were treated to an out-and-out downhill course with fast sections, rock gardens, s, jumps and technical sections.

Shimna Wheelers were represented by club James MacFerran and Alistair Baron, who ride for the Vitus First Tracks Race Division team. The lads were on the gas all weekend, putting the pedal down and finding lines through sections that no other riders could see, let alone think possible. In race qualifying Jimmy and Alistair were seeded first in the Elites and Juniors respectively with their pinned runs.

Unfortunately due to technical problems, with the timing equipment beyond the control of the race organisers, the race run timing suffered malfunctions and it was decided to award the results based on the qualifying runs. Well done to Jimmy and Alistair on their success in the first round of the series.

Up next for the two lads, along Aidan Hawkins, is the first round of the Vitus First Tracks Enduro in Castlewellan at the weekend.

Aidan will be riding for the Mourne Cycles team and he has been training extensively over the winter months for the start of the Enduro season.

There are four rounds in the series and each is uniquely designed to get progressively more challenging throughout the series.

The first round consists of six 3-5-minute stages (25km loop) on trail centre and natural single track. Throughout the season all three will be competing further afield in the Gravity Enduro Series.

Shimna Wheelers members are reminded that it is almost time to race the clock. The Mourne Cycles-sponsored time trial league begins on Thursday, April 2, with a ‘Try-a-TT’ at 6.30pm on the Lacken Road between Castlewellan and Kilcoo.

Time trials are often referred to as the ‘race of truth’ or the ‘race against time’ as your battle the clock in an individual challenge. This Friday evening is the perfect opportunity to come along and watch or give it a go to see if it’s for you.

You don’t need to be a Bradley Wiggins. However, just don’t take it too seriously. Alternatively, if you would like to help out with marshal duties get in touch to let us know. Full details can be found on the club website. No experience is necessary for either option.

High viz is recommended for this event and helmets are compulsory. Subject to weather conditions this event may be reduced in distance. Shimna Wheelers would like to thank Tom at Mourne Cycles for sponsoring the TT league this year.  

The club wishes to remind parents and guardians of the Sprocket Rocket Series which is starting in May.

Sprocket Rocket is Cycling Ireland’s skills programme that teaches boys and girls aged 7-11 years, through three progressions, the four fundamental cycling skills of cornering, pedalling, braking and balance by qualified instructors.

The course will be run every Saturday from 10-11am starting on May 2 at St Mary’s Primary School, 31A Elmgrove Park, Newcastle. The school grounds provide a secure and safe environment. There is plenty of car parking spaces on site and toilet facilities are available. Spaces are filling quickly so please get in contact with club chairman Peadar Curran as soon as possible.

Well done to youth rider Christopher Neill who represented the club at the Saint Patrick’s Day Youth TT in Crumlin. Christopher is progressing rapidly and is showing up a few of the older members out on club rides.

Club rides continue throughout the week with experienced group leaders taking a range of rides to cater for all abilities. Please see the website for more details; www.shimnawheelers.com