2007 John Lindsay Memorial Torr Head Challenge

Photos by Alan Welsh and Karolyn Gaston.

(I will add more details to the photos later when I get the time)!

Moto GP star Jeremy Pedals for Charity.

Ace Northern Ireland Motorcycle Racer Jeremy McWilliams of Moto G.P. fame gave his support to the John Lindsay memorial Torr Head Cycle Challenge when he assisted Marie Curie Cancer Care Rep Anne McRoberts in flaging away 184 riders from Ballygalley on the Antrim Coast, on Sunday morning 23rd September 2007.  Jeremy was a friend of John Lindsay when John was involved in Motorcycle Racing. It was really nice to have Jeremy involved with the event and also cycle for charity, and doing so while he is still recovering from injuries sustained in a high speed crash when testing Moto GP bikes at the beginning of 2007! 

 This year the promoters of the event Team Madigan Cycling Club agreed to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care for the second year in a row.  It was nice to see Helen Bryans and members of John’s family at the event giving their support to the riders.
Once again Riders from North and South of Ireland kindly attended.  Numbers were well up on previous years, which is great to see!  Again the normal format took place with riders setting out in three groups along the picturesque Antrim Coast Road - 70-miles, 50-miles, and 20-miles. First to reach their turn point at Carnlough were the forty 20-milers.  At this distance some of the people were those who would only ride their bikes occasionally, and children accompanied by adults. Again this group was amongst the highest fund raisers. 

For those involved in the 50 and 70 mile runs the little harbour of Cushendun welcomed the riders for a tea stop.  Final decisions were made here - do I turn now for 50-miles or do I go on and tackle the tough roads around Torr Head giving me a 70-mile run.  Sixty two hardy soles did the 50-miler, while eighty four Brave-Hearts took on Torr Head.   This year the riders had the wind behind them on the Torr Head roads but, making the left turn onto the A2 at Ballyvoy near Ballycastle they faced a strong head wind up the long 5-mile climb through Ballypatrick Forest and crossing the moors at the top before they descended the mountain via the Glendun Viaduct into Cushendall.  Along the Coast Road the gusts of wind made cycling very hard work indeed as the riders passed through Waterfoot, Carnlough and Glenarm on their way back to the finish at Ballygalley.

The first of the 70-milers were back at the finish just over four hours later where the ladies Anne McRoberts, Rosemary Welsh and Ruth Alexander welcomed everyone home with a warm cup of tea and a light snack, plus that well deserved certificate from event organiser Rosemary Welsh.  When Rosemary totaled the donations on the day, a superb £3,200 had been received and further donations pledged.  Full details of the total amount raised and the presentation of the cheque to Marie Curie Cancer Care will be reported on by the end of the year and will be on the Team Madigan web site www.team-madigan.org.uk and in the Local Press. 

Helen, John's family, and Team Madigan Cycling Club sincerely thank every person who supported and helped with the event this year!  Also thanks goes to the Carrickfergus branches of SuperValu, Woodside Stores and Tesco for kindly sponsoring the required catering necessities.

Nice to see Helen and her Mum! (talking to me at the Caravan before the start).

More photos on www.cyclingulster.com thanks to Marian Lamb.