This first meeting is mainly aimed at newcomers to the club although existing members should note that their insurance will expire on December 31 and they too should register as early as possible.

"Signing on" will continue each Monday night in January and on the first Monday of February and March.

A recent years' record total of 152 cyclists joined the club in 2009 and there is no reason why these numbers cannot be reached again this year.

Fees are similar to 2009 as Cycling Ireland hasn't increasing their charges, although the continued strength of the Euro against Sterling means there is little chance of a reduction.

The Ballymena Road Club part of the overall fee too hasn't been increased and this is thanks mainly to the continued support of the club's main sponsors – Northstone NI – and other generous financial backers.

Any cyclist who takes part in the club's weekend touring or training rides is expected to join the club so as to benefit from Cycling Ireland's third party insurance cover.

The main benefits of membership include 24 hours a day 7 days a week Public Liability Insurance cover of up to 7.5 million Euro from Royal Sun Alliance. There is also personal accident cover and Legal cover in the event of a disputed claim having to go to court.

As well as the essential insurance benefits there are also numerous advantages to be had by joining a club such as Ballymena Road Club.
BRC members have excellent club house facilities and the use of their Events' Vehicle mini bus. The club has a comprehensive calendar of mid week club race events and also plenty of touring activities for those who do not wish to race competitively.

Each weekend club members may take part in a choice of club runs on both Saturday and Sunday mornings with rides to the North Antrim coast often on the agenda.

There are a range of membership categories on offer depending on the aims of each individual applicant.

Cycling Ireland is continuing with their "beginners" membership fee for 2010. This will cost £25 and includes insurance for cycling (excludes racing). The BRC fee and NICF fee is also included in this £25.

Cycling Ireland have amalgamated their "Standard" (non Cycling) and "non racing" memberships for 2010 with the new "cycling membership" (non racing) fee reduced to £43 from £56. This "cycling membership" category includes third party liability cover for those assisting or officiating at a club event.

Other category fees are: Club racing membership £71. Restricted open racing licence £97. Full racing licences - adult £128. The junior membership fee has also been reduced and will cost £51 for 2010. Under 16 youth membership costs £36 with under 14 youth £10.

All first time Cycling Ireland applicants must produce a copy of either: birth certificate, passport or driving licence for ID purposes. BRC treasurer Richard Wilson asks club members to pay by cheque which should be made out to Ballymena Road Club.

MAYOR'S RECEPTION

The mayor of Ballymena Borough Council, Mr. James Currie, will host a prize presentation for the successful cyclists from this year's BRC Fun Tour series at the town hall this Wednesday evening, December 16 (7.30pm).

The 13-week series again proved to be very popular and despite a few very wet Saturdays the overall turnout was 699, which represents an average weekly attendance of almost 54. Altogether there were 126 different individuals who completed at least one of the tours.
Everyone who took part is invited to attend the reception where the medals and certificates will be awarded.

The tours also raised money for charity, with each participant making a one off donation of £5 and, when combined with entry fees from the Nine Glens challenge, a grand total of £726.50 has been amassed.

This will be donated to the Chernobyl children's appeal NI with a representative from this charity also be in attendance to accept the donation.
STAN FINLAY MEMORIAL
Ballymena Road Club Scott Roof Tiles cyclists will again hold their annual Stan Finlay memorial 10 miles time trial on Boxing Day, Saturday, December 26, at 11 am.
Ahoghill's Ryan Connor notched up his fifth win in the event last year with a 28.685 mph average speed time of 20 minutes 55 seconds.

However the result was very close over the Woodgreen to Dunsilly course as only 10 seconds separated Connor from Irish 10 miles record holder John Madden (Bann Wheelers), who recorded 21 minutes 05 seconds.

The Road Club's Conor McAllister was third with an excellent time of 21 minutes 36 seconds, while four times winner and defending champion, Jonathan Dempsey took fourth with 22.09.

There was a relatively small turnout of just 15 riders last year on what was a reasonably good morning for the event, with the riders being greeted with dry and cold conditions. The majority of the entrants were from the veteran (over 40 years old) category.

This year will see specialist time trialling equipment banned from the event as all competitors must take part on standard road bikes without tri-bars or aero wheels. Hopefully this will encourage those with "ordinary" equipment to take part and bring a bigger entry than last year.

Ryan Connor is the only rider to have won the Stan Finlay memorial rose bowl five times with his performance last year his third fastest time.
He first won in 2003 with 22.08 and again in 2004 with 22.53.
Then in 2005 he established a new event record time of 20.33 only to beat it again in 2006 with 20.28.

It is very unlikely that Ryan's record will be beaten this year.

YOUTH TIME TRIAL

Sixty minutes before the "adults" took part in the Stan Finlay Memorial nine of the Road Club's youth section children competed in a 5 mile Time Trial from Broughshane to the Ecos roundabout and back to Broughshane.

Craig Crawford took the win for the second year running with a time of 13 minutes 5seconds. The youths are scheduled to have their event again this year at this same venue.

AWARDS NIGHT

Cycling Ulster will be holding the 2009 season's Prize Night on Friday 22nd January 2010 at Massereene Golf Club Antrim.

The format for the night will be the meal, with a choice of main course, followed by the presentation of medals to both Ulster and Northern Ireland Champions, also on the night the Slane League winners along with the voucher winners in the Ciclisport.com Wee Foot Trophy will receive their prizes.

Those in Ballymena wishing to attend should contact Alan Mark for a ticket (2564 8774)