Dromara host their annual Coastal tour

The club has been organising this popular cycling event for over 15 years and the numbers seem to have increased year on year. The majority of the riders come back each year to enjoy the route and hospitality and this year the event attracted a total of 242 riders.

The event itself starts from the Dromara Village Football club as a mass start before heading into Dromara then out to Seaforde, down to St. John's Point and then follows the coast up to Strangford. for the food stop.

After stocking up on calories the riders then headed back to the football club with a choice of two route which divide just over the Quoile bridge. They could take the short route which takes the riders back directly towards Ballynahinch and through the picturesque Finnobrogue estate, or they could take the longer route which headed up along the coast, through Killyleagh towards Comber before returning via Lisbane, Saintfield, then Ballynahinch. The short route was a 60 mile round trip while the long route was an 80 mile round trip.

Given the popularity of the event the club had organised motorcycle outriders to lead the groups around the narrow country roads. This proved invaluable in keeping the riders save. The sign on for the day was opened at 08:30 with the mass start at 09:30.

Shortly after 11 pm the main bunch of riders had made it to Strangford where they were greeted by a large gazebo which had been newly purchased by the club for this event. The riders had a range of food to choose from some of which was kindly donated by Mller and by Kinder.

Given the dry spell of weather the riders made good use of the dry grass and enjoyed their picnic overlooking Strangford Lough. Once back at the football club the riders were able to enjoy more food and drink which helped to conclude a great day's cycling.

The club would like to thank: Dromara Village Football Club for the use of their building and parking, the motorcycle outriders, our food sponsors and of course the club members who helped to mark the route, handle the adminstration at the sign on desk, make sandwiches and buns and to those who set up the gazebo and manned the tea stop in Strangford.

Dromara Cycling Club contiues to go from strenght to strenght. Club membership now exceeds 150 with over 70 members riding in the leisure tour, Our road race team taking part in The Tour of The Mournes and our MTB riders enjoying a superb day of racing at The Lady Dixon park in Belfast, where almost 200 were entered in the various races.

This Thursady the club with be holding round seven of the club league with a three lap race of an 8.7 mile circuit around Annahilt. Once again large numbers are expected so please come early and sign on will be open from 6.40pm.

- Thirty-nine riders gathered on the Crossgar Road in Ballynahinch for the sixth round of Dromara Cycling Club's Thursday night league. This venue was switched just a few days before due to the elections going on which would have interferred with the proposed event at Annahilt.

The riders were blessed with a nice evening, little wind and glimpses of sunlight which helped to off-set the tough five mile course which descended towards Crossgar on a twisty road and meant the riders had a bit of a climb on the way back.

Davy Robb and Nigel Sudlow set about sorting out the start order but were delayed when some of the first riders were out warming up. Instead it was down to Mary Hunter to be the first away with the rest of the riders starting at 30 seconds intervals.

There were a few inital problems getting a few riders away as the road surface sloped down to the kerb (and bike and rider went into the kerb) and had meant a couple of restarts. All got away in the end with the final rider, Marcus Magowan, setting off last as is his custom.

Fastest rider on the night was Ronnie Smyth setting a time of 24 minutes and 49 seconds with fellow racer Davy McKnight only 10 seconds slower.

Darren Weir chose his road bike tonight instead of his time trial bike and set a time of 25m 54s.

In the battle of the Magowan brothers it was the junior of the pairing Chris, who finished fourth fastest 11 seconds ahead of Gavin. Marcus was sixth fastest in a time of 26:36 and he was closely followed by road racer Simon Welby who set a time of 26:45.

Damien McDonald did not have a great night as he had taken a wrong turn to get back, but did manage to come home eighth fastest. Neill Currie was ninth in 27:06 with Derek Hanna 10th (27:17).

Ryan Mallon set the fastest youth time of just over 30 minutes (30:05) with the fastest female Caroline Patterson just eight seconds quicker. Our oldest competitor on the night was Raymund Martin (aged 66) who was 32nd overall and finished in a respectable time of 32:39.