Delightful Claire
McCollum from UTV Sport prepares to flag away 140 riders from
Ballygalley on the Antrim Coast on Sunday morning 26th September
2004. This year the promoting club Team Madigan along with
the late John Lindsay's family and girlfriend Helen Bryans agreed to
raise funds for the Myeloma Foundation, a charity helping to deal with
cancerous blood plasma cells found in bone marrow, and cancer that
sadly took John's life in early 2003.
Riders from all over Northern Ireland kindly supported the event, some having travelled from as far away as Derry. Braving the pre event weather forecast which was for heavy rain and gale force winds the riders were not put off. Setting out in three groups - 70-miles, 50-miles, and 20-miles they faced the blustery winds and hoped the rain would keep away along the route of the beautiful Antrim Coast. First to reach their turn point at Carnlough was the 20-milers. At this distance some young children rode their hearts out along with adults who would ride their bikes only occasionally, they were amongst the highest fund raisers. It was the small harbour village of Cushendun that welcomed the 50 and 70 milers for a tea stop where final decisions would be made, do I turn here for 50-miles or do I go on and tackle the tough narrow and hilly roads around Torr Head totalling 70-miles. In the end it was a fifty fifty split. Around fifty riders took part in each distance. Having cracked the Torr Head roads and merging back onto the A2 at Ballyvoy near Ballycastle the 70 mile riders faced the long 5-mile climb up through Ballypatrick Forest as they headed for the finish back at Ballygalley. Strong winds at the top of the climb crossing the moors battered the seasoned riders before they descended the mountain via the Glendun Viaduct into Cushendall. It was indeed a hard day in the saddle, this was just how some of the riders like it. Even along the Coast Road, as it saw toothed in and out, the gusts of wind made cycling very difficult.
The first of the 70-milers were back at the finish four and a half hours later and welcomed home with a warm cup of tea, something to eat, and a well deserved certificate from event organiser Rosemary Welsh. When Rosemary totalled the donations on the day, a superb £3,300 had been received and further donations pledged. Full details of the total amount raised and the presentation of the money to the Myeloma Foundation will be available by the end of the year on the club web site www.team-madigan.org.uk
Helen, John's family, and Team Madigan Cycling Club sincerely thank every person who supported the event this year.
Riders from all over Northern Ireland kindly supported the event, some having travelled from as far away as Derry. Braving the pre event weather forecast which was for heavy rain and gale force winds the riders were not put off. Setting out in three groups - 70-miles, 50-miles, and 20-miles they faced the blustery winds and hoped the rain would keep away along the route of the beautiful Antrim Coast. First to reach their turn point at Carnlough was the 20-milers. At this distance some young children rode their hearts out along with adults who would ride their bikes only occasionally, they were amongst the highest fund raisers. It was the small harbour village of Cushendun that welcomed the 50 and 70 milers for a tea stop where final decisions would be made, do I turn here for 50-miles or do I go on and tackle the tough narrow and hilly roads around Torr Head totalling 70-miles. In the end it was a fifty fifty split. Around fifty riders took part in each distance. Having cracked the Torr Head roads and merging back onto the A2 at Ballyvoy near Ballycastle the 70 mile riders faced the long 5-mile climb up through Ballypatrick Forest as they headed for the finish back at Ballygalley. Strong winds at the top of the climb crossing the moors battered the seasoned riders before they descended the mountain via the Glendun Viaduct into Cushendall. It was indeed a hard day in the saddle, this was just how some of the riders like it. Even along the Coast Road, as it saw toothed in and out, the gusts of wind made cycling very difficult.
The first of the 70-milers were back at the finish four and a half hours later and welcomed home with a warm cup of tea, something to eat, and a well deserved certificate from event organiser Rosemary Welsh. When Rosemary totalled the donations on the day, a superb £3,300 had been received and further donations pledged. Full details of the total amount raised and the presentation of the money to the Myeloma Foundation will be available by the end of the year on the club web site www.team-madigan.org.uk
Helen, John's family, and Team Madigan Cycling Club sincerely thank every person who supported the event this year.
They are off. The 70 and 50 milers are first away.
The next wave leave.
Still they pour out of the Ballygalley car park.
Starting to see some of the 20 milers taking to the road.
Event organiser Alan Welsh with Claire McCollum as some of the mums and younger children cheer the riders on.
Event organisers Rosemary Welsh (left, with son Adam) and Davy Murray (right) are pictured with UTV Sport presenter Claire McCollum who kindly gave her support to the event.
The big field makes it's way around the Antrim Coast Road heading for Torr Head. At the rear Michael Clements.
Cushendun Harbour feeding station, riders get ready to tackle the tough roads of Torr Head.
Michael Hamilton leaves Cushendun with his group and sets off for Torr Head.
Mel McCann on the Torr Head section.
Colin McCluskey on the Torr Head section.
Gary Johnston on the Torr Head section.
Ken Dougan and Philip Brines enjoying the day as they master the tough Torr Head climbs.
The riders re-group at Ballyvoy near Ballycastle for the return leg via the long hilly drag of the A2 road through Ballypatrick Forest.
Ken Dougan at the Glendun Viaduct heading for Cushendun and the Coast Road back to Ballygalley.
Happy
to be back at the finish
(with out any rain), riders enjoy a warm cup of tea, and check out
their certificate.
Photographs
by Alan Welsh & Alan Gordon, report by Davy Ross.