Mrs Sharon Gorman fund raising
manager for the Northern Ireland Hospice was joined by Mrs Valerie
Lindsay to flag away 180 riders from Ballygalley on the
Antrim Coast, Sunday 25th September 2005.
On Sunday morning 25th September 2005, Team Madigan Cycling
Club
hosted the 2005 John Lindsay memorial Torr Head Challenge in
aid of the Northern Ireland Hospice. Mrs Sharon Gorman fund
raising manager for the Northern Ireland Hospice was joined by
John's mum Mrs Valerie Lindsay to flag away the hardy 180
riders from Ballygalley on the Antrim
Coast.
Again riders and clubs from all over Northern Ireland kindly supported the event. It was great to see Helen Bryan's and many of John's family and friends giving their support to the now well established event, in John's memory!
The pre event weather forecast which was for rain showers and blustery winds thankfully never arrived and thankfully the big turnout of people were not put off by the forecast! The day could not have any better for the time of year, lovely warm sunshine for most of the day!
Riders were split into three groups — 70-miles, 50-miles, and 20-miles. They headed out off Ballygalley and north along the beautiful Antrim Coast. The first turn point at Carnlough was for the 20-milers. They as always were amongst the highest fund raisers. Cushendun welcomed the 50 and 70 milers for a tea stop where final decisions would be made, do I feel strong enough to go on and tackle the tough hilly roads around Torr Head totalling 70-miles, or should I turn back and do the 50-mile run. Around seventy five riders took part in each distance. The 70-milers with the tough Torr Head roads behind them came out onto the A2 at Ballyvoy near Ballycastle and then faced the long 5-mile climb up through the Vanishing Lakes and Ballypatrick Forest. The decent down through the Glendun Viaduct into Cushendall was spectacular. With the sun shining the riders were treated to superb views of the many Bay's, Coast line, the rugged cliff's and Glens as they pedalled gamely back via Cushendall, Waterfoot, Carnlough and Glenarm to finish at Ballygalley.
The first of the 70-milers were back at the finish four and a half hours later and everyone was 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 £2,700 had been received and further donations pledged. Again full details of the total amount raised and the presentation of the money to the Northern Ireland Hospice 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. A big thank you to St John's Ambulance Service for providing their services free for charity. The Larne Police Service. Also many thanks to the big Carrickfergus Super Stores: Super Valu, Woodside's and Tesco for kindly providing catering products free in aid of the charity event!
Again riders and clubs from all over Northern Ireland kindly supported the event. It was great to see Helen Bryan's and many of John's family and friends giving their support to the now well established event, in John's memory!
The pre event weather forecast which was for rain showers and blustery winds thankfully never arrived and thankfully the big turnout of people were not put off by the forecast! The day could not have any better for the time of year, lovely warm sunshine for most of the day!
Riders were split into three groups — 70-miles, 50-miles, and 20-miles. They headed out off Ballygalley and north along the beautiful Antrim Coast. The first turn point at Carnlough was for the 20-milers. They as always were amongst the highest fund raisers. Cushendun welcomed the 50 and 70 milers for a tea stop where final decisions would be made, do I feel strong enough to go on and tackle the tough hilly roads around Torr Head totalling 70-miles, or should I turn back and do the 50-mile run. Around seventy five riders took part in each distance. The 70-milers with the tough Torr Head roads behind them came out onto the A2 at Ballyvoy near Ballycastle and then faced the long 5-mile climb up through the Vanishing Lakes and Ballypatrick Forest. The decent down through the Glendun Viaduct into Cushendall was spectacular. With the sun shining the riders were treated to superb views of the many Bay's, Coast line, the rugged cliff's and Glens as they pedalled gamely back via Cushendall, Waterfoot, Carnlough and Glenarm to finish at Ballygalley.
The first of the 70-milers were back at the finish four and a half hours later and everyone was 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 £2,700 had been received and further donations pledged. Again full details of the total amount raised and the presentation of the money to the Northern Ireland Hospice 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. A big thank you to St John's Ambulance Service for providing their services free for charity. The Larne Police Service. Also many thanks to the big Carrickfergus Super Stores: Super Valu, Woodside's and Tesco for kindly providing catering products free in aid of the charity event!
A lot more photos to follow when I get the time!! Some real good one's from Domo!!
Now Ready click this link! More photos from Domo