News Roundup from Island Wheelers CC

Tour of Tyrone – Sunday 5th June

The Tour of Tyrone Sportive will be happening on Sunday 5th June 2011 – 9am start – sign on from 8am at Gortgonis Sports Complex, Coalisland. Our club racing events have a high national profile and are highly regarded – our Sportives follow in that tradition and will be a fantastic days enjoyment for all taking part! There will be a choice of two testing routes, fantastic scenery, great company and a day to remember around beautiful Tyrone landmarks!

REASONS TO SIGNUP! Goodie bag for first 100 riders , Choice of two challenging routes – either 98miles or 64miles, Changing and showering facilities for all riders, Free car parking, Refreshments during & after event, Support vehicles including sweeper vehicle, First Aid Cover from support crew, Testing route choice for all, fantastic scenery, great company and a day to remember around Tyrone landmarks! More details on how to sign up can be found on Island Wheelers CC website

Mid Ulster Inter Club League and ETCC League

Round 7 of the Inter Club League occurred last week with a Time Trial on the Dungannon Road circuit – we are still awaiting official results from the night but once again we had a strong turnout from the club. Most notable results came from Peter Hughes, with young Alan McKeown biting at his heels. Noel McLoughlin and John O’Hagan once again put in solid times but PB’s weren’t made easy with the return 5mile of the 10mile circuit being back into the wind. Other Wheelers on the night featured Gareth Donnelly, Nigel Flanagan, Owen Campbell, Robbie Silcock, Damian Lavery and Sheena O’Neill. Hopefully all times will progress as the season goes on. Round 8 of the ICL continues with a Road Race on the Derrymacash circuit on Tue 31st May.

On Thursday night a good showing of Wheelers also took part in the ETCC Road Race that was held on the Rock circuit. A tough wee circuit and as the temperature dropped and the miserable rain fell, the circuit became that bit tougher with corners being taken gingerly at times as they became slippery. A group of 5 riders from the 2nd group off held the lead for the majority of the race working well to stay away from the scratch group – 3 Wheelers Owen Campbell, Cathal McGuigan and Gareth Donnelly worked hard with two ETCC but unfortunately got caught within the last mile by the main bunch. In the end it was S Hutchinson from the ETCC who took the win with 3 Wheelers in the top ten, Alan McKeown 5th, Richard Davidson 7th and Paul Quinn 9th.

Ernie Magwood Super 6

On Sunday the Ernie Magwood Super 6 event was held at Toome, on what was a very difficult morning with gale force headwinds to the turn, and 30+mph average speeds on the return leg. Unfortunately nobody informed Clann Eireanns John Heverin of the fact there was a headwind, and he zipped to the turn and home to record a 22:15 which gave him a winning margin of 23 seconds, from Phoneix rider Stuart Bennett, with event sponsor Richard Davidson of Richard Davidson Motors and the Island Wheelers finishing a solid 3rd.

Windy Weekend for all events.

There was no club run on Sunday past due to most Wheelers opting to go to support the Harps Sperrins Challenge. Early reports from riders said it was a tough route made tougher with the winds blowing hard but enjoyed by all – well done to the Harps for putting on another great sportive!

In our multisport section of the club, Gareth Donnelly took on the Liam Ball sprint triathlon on Sunday morning in similar windy conditions. There were certainly no PB’s to be had with headwinds on the bike of reportedly up to 30mph! Gareth finished a respectable 32nd out of 168 entries.

In our Mountain Bike section of club Cathal McGuigan finished a great 20th in the senior 4th category at the mountain bike race at Lady Dixon Park, Belfast on Sunday past. The event was very well run, a big turn out of riders and Cathal says there’s plenty of room for more Wheelers in these races! He would like to thank his sponsor Aidan Lafferty for all his help.

The Pleasure Team took on a 100mile route on Sat – at the this time we are still awaiting a report from the team, once we get it we will publish it on the website.

Summer Trip to Sligo

To all members who have put their name down for the Sligo weekend cycle, could all deposits please be paid by the end of this week to Barney.  Also is there is anyone who would still like to go on this weekend let Sheena or Martin O’Donnell know as there are only a few places left. The trip is arrange for Sat 25th – Sun 26th June.