Bronze for Brennan

The senior title race went to John Heverin (Clann Eireann) who beat second placed John Madden by 24 seconds. Madden won the veterans' championship.

Elle Forrest (Bann Valley) from Riverdale, Tullygarley won the ladies' championship with 26 minutes 33 seconds

Chris Beattie was best for Ballymena Road Club – Scott Roof Tiles – in fifteenth place with 23 minutes 04 seconds. (18) Steven Workman 23.08.

Matthew Brennan was suffering from a bug and had difficulty throughout the race.

His main motivation was to secure the season long "Weefoot trophy" and he was successful in that regard. His relatively slow 25 minutes 09 seconds earned him the bronze medal in the junior championship to add to the gold which he earned in the 25 miles title race the previous weekend.

Other BRC times were (41) Adrian Kerr 25.36 (56) Stephen Carruthers 28.59.

Results (1) John Heverin (Clann ireann) 21:13 (2) John Madden, Veteran, (Curran Racing) 21:37 (3) Ivan Robinson, Veteran, (Ards) 21:50 (4) Gary Cranston (East Antrim) 22:04 (5) Mark Greer, Veteran, (Maryland) 22:07 (6) Martin Tohill (Spires) 22:08

Juniors (1) Conor McIlwaine (Errigal) 23:30 (2) Chris Henderson (Roe Valley) 25:04 (3) Matthew Brennan (Ballymena RC) 25:09

Women (1) Elle Forrest (Bann Valley) 26:33 (2) Mary Boyd (Roe Valley) 27:34 (3) Kay Hack (Bann Wheelers) 28:16

Darrell Erwin (Ulster Hand cycling) 37:55

FUN TOUR THREE

Ballymena Road Club – Scott Roof Tiles – cyclists took part in the third ride in this year's fun tour series on Saturday morning.

The weather was very wet from start to finish although the cyclists did enjoy the best part of the day as the rain was even heavier in the afternoon!

Amazingly 58 riders turned up to take part and another 118 was collected for the charity fund which now stands at 653.

The touring section group had a 33 miles, 14mph, ride which took in Carniny, Dunminning, Duneoin, Carclinty, Duneaney then Mullan Road and down Mill Brae to the Finvoy road.

The final miles were through Rasharkin and along the Lisnahuncheon road to Killyless, Ballyconnnelly and Galgorm.

The "A" group didn't travel too far this week with their 32 miles ride taking in Caddy, Randalstown, Staffordstown, Toomebridge and The Grange.

The tours will continue each Saturday morning at 9.30am from Rex Bonar house.

CLUB BBQ

The wet evening and widespread power cuts in the Ballymena district didn't spoil the club's barbecue on Saturday night.

Over 50 turned up for the feast which had been prepared by, among others, Joan and Hugh McCullough, Mary Mark and Linda Wilson.

Many thanks to all who made the evening such a success including the "Wright and Hughes band" who provided the musical entertainment, well done to all.

CALENDAR

Saturday 25th September. The fun tours continue on Saturday morning when the third ride in the 13 week’s series takes place from Rex Bonar house at Railway Street at 9.30am.

Sunday 26th September.

Ballymena Road Club’s touring committee chairman Patsy McGurk is planning an ambitious charity cycle ride which will take place from 6th until 14th November this year.

The fundraising cycle event will take place over six days in Egypt.

The Nile cycle will cover 335 kilometres from Mount Sinai to the valley of Kings by mountain bike.

The fundraising campaign which is for “Buy a brick, build a home for life.” aims to build a centre which will be purpose designed and built to meet the needs and demands of adults with learning difficulties.

Patsy’s fourth fundraising event is scheduled for this Sunday 26th September when a 50 miles tour to Lough Fea takes place from Portglenone community centre at 10am.

Patsy says “The fundraising is for care and support for people with a learning disability, hopefully lots of cyclists will turn up and make the bike ride a success”

Patsy has already had three fundraising events which kicked off with a bag pack in the Tesco store in Ballymena. A table quiz followed at the Michelin athletic club and then he held a BBQ recently at his Kilcurry road home.

Patsy sends thanks to all those who have supported his efforts so far and thanks all who came to the BBQ, which raised a total of 640.

The entry fee for the Lough Fea tour is 10. This includes entry in to a draw for a meal for two at Tullyglass hotel and a 10 voucher for Mc Cann's filling station and, of course, refreshments in the community hall at the end of the tour.

WEBSITE

Ballymena Road Club’s eagerly awaited new web site is now operational. View it on www.ballymenaroadclub.co.uk

BRC club chairman Andrew Wills is the man in charge of the web site and he is keen to hear constructive feedback from club members.