Bumper Easter week topped off with race successes

With Easter bringing summer like weather, and the lighter nights many members have been putting in more time on the bike in preparation for the upcoming sportive season. Plenty of club runs have been ongoing on the usual times with something to suit everyone from leisure runs around the coastal roads to hilly sessions in the Mournes.

Well done to all who made it out and about, those who use Strava within the club amassed a record 5100 miles in the last week. Special mention to club dark horse Philip McM who made best use of his week off work by putting in over 300 miles and he certainly wasn’t flagging on Sunday night.

Tuesday night was the first of the Ards CC race series – a 5 mile circular time trial from Comber to Ballygowan via the Ballygowan Road and returning on the Old Ballygowan Road. A short distance but a hard hilly course. 4 members took part and KCC took three of the top 10 spots including the fastest overall on the night Paul Crossen in 11:57. Well done to Andy finishing his first TT in 13:25 just behind Davy Park in 13:23, Andrew Evans just a few seconds behind with 13:57.

One keen cyclist wasn’t allowed to take his bike on holidays over Easter so mustered up a group of ten on Friday for a spin. Last man home covered 150 miles and the group topped 1000 miles on the day. A great finish to the holidays.

Ulster XC round 2 took place on Sunday after a few week break and Scott, Geoff & Michael H made the trip to Fermanagh with kids in tow. Rudi rode in the U6s, Gracie and the U8s and Reuben in the U10s and all had good finishes. Well done to Michael finishing his first XC race in the top half of the huge S4 field which was lead from the front by Geoff who finished in 2nd for his first podium – great result. Scott continued his consistent form with a 3rd place in S3  – Congratulations Scott.