Ballymoney Cycling Club enjoy a year of success

From half a dozen interested cyclists in November 2009 the club has now got 31 members and is growing weekly.

Within 12 months the riders who joined BCC had catapulted the club to a position as the second most successful club in Cycling Ulster with five open race wins at the top end of racing here in Northern Ireland.

Rider Steven McAllister had three wins, Bann Valley Classic, North Down Grand Prix and the Billy Stewart Cup, Bobby Kane won the Phoenix Grand Prix and Bryan McKinney won the Audi Grand Prix, local rugby player Jason Taggart won the McComb sponsored Time Trial League and also the clubs Road Race League for 2010. All the club competitions were well supported and 2011 looks like an exciting year.

Ballymoney CC riders travelled all around Ireland representing the club from local races promoted by Bann Wheelers to the National Championships in Waterford, gaining success and recognition for the Cycling Club.

The national Championships in Waterford saw Ballymoney CC rider Stevie McAllister who was previously tipped for a medal at this 100km race, loose out in the final 200m with severe cramp in both legs and had to settle for a place in the bunch. Other Ballymoney rider Jason Henry got 6th, he also cramped in the final metres of this tough and arduous race.

Ballymoney CC present a cheque to the Community Rescue Service

An event was held on August 21st in memory of a young local lad James Elliott who lost his life in the swollen waters of the River Bush back in 2009.

Local cyclists Charlie Dickson, Colin Thompson, Davy Wallace and Maurice McAllister, set in place a three sponsored cycle runs, a 3.5 mile, 9 mile, 22 mile run to help raise funds for the Community Rescue Service.

On a warm summers day in Stranocum 173 riders of all ages set off in support of this very worthy cause.

On the day 1500 was raised and members of Ballymoney CC presented a cheque to the Community Rescue Service Members at the Joey Dunlop Centre before their August Club Meeting.

Health and leisure cycling is

getting so popular

With an exciting and expanding growth of Leisure cycling in the area, Ballymoney Cycling Club felt it was necessary to form a section of the club dedicated exclusively to this area of cycling.

Enthusiastic leisure cyclist took on the role of Leisure cyclist to deal with communication and organising in this area.

With female cycling becoming more and more popular, BCC woman members Joan Trengove Shirley Park, schoolgirls Caitie O'Hagan and Sophie Cameron Mitchell along with new members joining them each week on the ever popular and enjoyable Saturday and Sunday leisure runs.

They have now established this part of local cycling into a must be there occasion.

With challenges attracting the male element of the club, The Tour of Innishowen 100 mile monster event in Donegal saw 14 Ballymoney CC members attend this challenge.

12 riders completed the challenge, Nigel Elder, Jeff McLaughlin, Johnny Dillon, Dessie Dillon, Fran McKeown, Niall O'Hagan, Jason Taggart, Bryan McKinney, Olly Bateson, Jerome McKendry and Steven McAllister, accompanied by a service crew of Davy Wallace and Maurice McAllister. Everyone completed the course and some went on to complete the Sperrin Challenge and some Ballymoney CC members were interviewed by the famous cycling magazine "Cycling Weekly".

This publication enjoys over 30,000 readers each week.

Youth, the future of competition cycling

Every sport requires a base of young competitors coming along to sustain the competition and add more success to the sport, Ballymoney Cycling Club have been actively encouraging the youth in the area to take part in the sport at any level or type of event. At the 3 stage RAS Loughguile a children's fun race was held and saw a lot of happy children and parents enjoy a no pressure family day out.

Under 14 rider Blayne Watton, Aaron Swan and Craig Crawford have been representing their club at National and local events, Under 16 rider Jack Owens in his first year won the club's 10 mile Club Championship TT on the Portrush line, Blayne won the under 14 section.

Aaron and Craig have represented Northern Ireland at International level, the future for these young riders looks very bright and a lot of press coverage will be dedicated to them in the future.

At the All Ireland Championships in Coalisland, Aaron Swan won the under 13 Criterium race and 5th in the Time Trial, Craig won the silver medal in the TT and got 4th in the fast and furious Criterium.

Coming events

Ballymoney Cycling Club are holding their AGM on Tuesday 2 November at the Joey Dunlop Centre at 7.30pm.