VIDEO: Ballymena Road Club cyclists enjoy prize night

Ballymena Road Club – Chain Reaction Cycles – held its annual prize presentation dinner and dance last Friday evening at Eaton Park.
Eileen Burns (winner) and Claire Gillespie (runner up), prize winners from the ladies section, are pictured with guest speaker Ryan Connor at the Ballymena Road Club annual dinner. INBT48-251ACEileen Burns (winner) and Claire Gillespie (runner up), prize winners from the ladies section, are pictured with guest speaker Ryan Connor at the Ballymena Road Club annual dinner. INBT48-251AC
Eileen Burns (winner) and Claire Gillespie (runner up), prize winners from the ladies section, are pictured with guest speaker Ryan Connor at the Ballymena Road Club annual dinner. INBT48-251AC

There was a packed function room for the event which is the highlight of the club’s social season.

Len Russell from Cullybackey is this season’s “club person of the year” and he received the Friendship cup in acknowledgement of his continued assistance with marshalling duties at the club’s road race and time trial events. Representatives from the club’s numerous sponsors and supporters were present to witness the vast array of silverware being distributed.

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Guest of honour was one of the club’s most successful ever cyclists, Ryan Connor, who was accompanied by his wife Julie.

Eileen Burns (winner) and Claire Gillespie (runner up), prize winners from the ladies section, are pictured with guest speaker Ryan Connor at the Ballymena Road Club annual dinner. INBT48-251ACEileen Burns (winner) and Claire Gillespie (runner up), prize winners from the ladies section, are pictured with guest speaker Ryan Connor at the Ballymena Road Club annual dinner. INBT48-251AC
Eileen Burns (winner) and Claire Gillespie (runner up), prize winners from the ladies section, are pictured with guest speaker Ryan Connor at the Ballymena Road Club annual dinner. INBT48-251AC

Ryan recalled a few stories from his International travels but said it was the local Tour of the North Easter stage race which brought him the most satisfaction amidst his many accolades.

He said nothing compared to winning a race in his own home town with everyone out to support him, Ryan won the Tour three times. He also represented Northern Ireland at the 2006 Commonwealth games in Melbourne and next year will manage the NI team at the Glasgow games.

Ryan was full of praise for the club’s committee members, timekeepers, ladies committee and all the marshalls, sponsors and local media.

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He said he started cycling with the club’s Fun Tours and was delighted that these events were still successfully attracting new members.

Club Chairman John Maxwell was master of ceremonies and he welcomed the guests and singled out Morris Foster MBE for a special mention. Morris, who has been a lifelong supporter of Ballymena RC, was inducted into Irish cycling’s hall of fame at a gala dinner in Dublin recently. Morris received a standing ovation on Friday night.

Other special guests included club President Alan Mark and his wife Mary.

Vice Presidents; Gordon Caldwell and his wife Nora, Rex Bonar and his daughter Anne.

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George and Joan Graham of Graham’s kitchens Woodgreen. Gordon Parker and his partner Allie.

Sponsors. John and Margaret Maxwell of Maxwell Packaging. Alan and Carol Blair of Blair International Transport and John and Maggie Blair of JBE mechanical and electrical. Alex McAuley of A. Bonar and Co Pennybridge.

The local press were also represented with Shaun O’Neill of the Ballymena Guardian and Stephen Alexander of the Times both in attendance.

Connor Young spoke on behalf of the prize-winners. He acknowledged the assistance offered by the PSNI and thanked everyone who had helped at races with marshalling, timekeeping, judging first aid and made special mention of the tea ladies and, on a personal note, thanked his club mates who had helped him win the inter club road racing league in 2013.

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The catering was by Jane’s Kitchens of Broughshane and everyone was delighted by the standard of the food which was served up.

Many thanks to club secretary Hazel Hughes for her time consuming efforts over the last six weeks in preparation for the event. Thanks also to Cormac McWilliams of Eaton Park for all his co-operation.

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