This popular event attracts more participants than all the other road club 'open events' put together.

Conditions were far from ideal with constant rain making life difficult, especially as the hundreds of potholes encountered en route were difficult to spot, as many had filled up with rain water.

This led to an abnormal number of impact punctures, as the cyclists either hit potholes or the stones which had come out from the holes, but at least the snow which ruined last year's event stayed away this time.

The riders had a choice of route, distance and pace with Race Secretary Tommy Wilson leading the 'A' group which was 70 strong.

Their 75 miles route took in Antrim, Templepatrick, Longshot, Ballyrobert, Greenisland, Woodburn, Kilroot, Whitehead, Larne, Ballygally and Carnlough and back to Broughshane and Ballymena. They were supported by Hugh McCullough, Alan Mark and Donny Bremner.

The touring section supervised the "B" group of 67 riders and they completed a 53 miles route to Moorfields, Whappstown, Ballyeaston, Kilwaughter and Ballygally, where they had a brief pit stop.

The group had kept together until this point with all punctures and mechanical problems being sorted out by Jim Burns and Pius McKernan, who were acting as the back up crew in the club's 'Events Vehicle'.

Derek Dougan then decided it would be good to split this big bunch and he took charge and led a forward group over the final miles to Glenarm, Carnlough and up Glencloy and back in through the Braid to Broughshane and home to Rex Bonar house where the ladies' committee were waiting with loads of soup and sandwiches. The rest of the touring group wasn't too far behind Derek's bunch.

Race Secretary Tommy Wilson was very pleased with the day's events.

"I thank everyone who helped out, Rex Bonar for opening up the clubrooms and supervising the parking and John Blair for the use of his car park. The signing on ladies did a great job as they were very busy from early on Sunday morning and later they served the post event tea they were still on duty after 3 pm. The soup was very welcome on such a cold, wet day.

"My thanks too goes to the back up crews who supported the two runs and also to all those who traveled from all over the country to take part and paid their entry fee." Added Tommy

One rider missing from the run on Sunday was BRC's Philip Bremner, although he was present to help send everyone on their way. Philip was a victim of black ice on Saturday morning's club run.

The group rode out to Cargan and were about to descend Glenariff when they struck an area of black ice. The surface had been clear until that point but the ice took everyone by surprise and there were a couple of fallers and Philip came off worse and dislocated his right shoulder. Philip was taken by ambulance to Antrim area hospital.