Shimna Wheelers join the fun at Christmas Cracker

6 January 2016

SHIMNA Wheelers lent their support to Newcastle Athletics Club for their annual Castlewellan Christmas Cracker race.

Suited and booted in their cycling kit, the Wheelers lead out the huge field of runners into the forest. Two club members were also seen running into the forest wearing their cycling kit, but with no bikes. Were they giving chase after would be thieves who had pinched their bikes?!

In a bizarre twist, four Wheelers had decided to have a race off at the Cracker to claim pride and bragging rights in the world of two-legged adventures. After weeks of exchanging verbal abuse and limited baseline training two of the lads got the shivers and decided to concede defeat by racing in fancy dress for a bit of craic.

Sure, it was never competitive anyway. Johnny ‘The Butcher’ Ward chased Ronan ‘Turkey’ Kelly around the forest attempting to get the turkey that had got away in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Until next year this turkey continues to roam freely around the roads of County Down.

Thank you to the club members who gave up their time to help marshal the race in wet and muddy conditions.

All club members are reminded that their 2016 Club and Cycling Ireland membership is now due and it can be renewed by simply downloading or printing the 2016 application form from the club website.

Please complete the form and send it to the address on the form or return it to any committee member complete with the relevant fee. The club will then do the rest and process your Cycling Ireland renewal. If you have any queries or require any further information please contact our club secretary, Damien Merron at merron.damien@yahoo.co.uk

Further information can be found on the club website www.shimnawheelers.com

Tollymore Forest Park has been confirmed as the venue for the 2016 National Cyclocross Championships on January 10. All Wheelers are encouraged to come along and support the club members who will be competing and to watch the top cyclocrossers in Ireland battle it out for the titles.

Leaving the bikes at home the Rockets headed for the fantastic facilities at Tollymore Mountain Centre to celebrate their achievements in 2015. With loads of party food provided by the club and tray donations by parents no one went hungry.

Special guest Gareth McKee, the Irish XC Champion, presented the Rockets with awards for their achievements throughout the year with additional awards for those who represented the club at the Ulster CX League. The final and most prestigious annual award, Rocket of the Year, went to Leah Cromie for her overall commitment and support to both coaches and other Rockets over the year.

On a crisp winter’s morning over the Christmas holidays a group of the Wheelers took a spin coastal spin to Strangford and home by Ardglass. Along the road Peter suffered a puncture and like the pro-teams on the Grand Tours the Wheelers jumped into action and helped Peter change his tube.

There was plenty of talk about how best to change a tube and plenty of excellent advice provided. In an impressive time of 20 minutes the tube was changed and everyone was pleased with the efforts of the group.

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