Fun Tour 4.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012
The fourth fun tour of the 13 week series took place from Rex Bonar house on Saturday and again the weather was kind. A total of 60 riders assembled at the start and they donated another £75 to the charity fund which now stands at £754.
 
The eighteen strong "A” (it must have been anything but fun) group completed a marathon 73 miles ride in four hours, which included climbing 3800 feet, and despite all this their average was still 18.3 mph.Their hilly route took in Portglenone, Maghera, Fivemile straight to Moneyneaney then on the very exposed, hilly, windswept, Glenedra road towards Feeny. Next it was Dungiven and then another long climb up Legavallon road to Drumsurn before descending the Temple road to Garvagh.The home route from Kilrea took the group over the Craigs moss on to Cullybackey.
 
The 22 rider, touring section group completed a 35 miles ride at a leisurly 14 mph.Their route took in Galgorm, Mount Davies road, Granagh road, Maboy road, Townhill road, Kilrea.Next it was a visit to Portna locks on the river Bann before going off road for a short riverside section before heading back out on to Moneygran road and going on to Portglenone. The final miles once again took in Tully climb and on to Ahoghill and Gracehill.
 
Numbers were big enough for a 20 rider, third group which went to Cullybackey then over the Moss towards Kilrea and right on to the Vow Road and across to Agivey.Next it was Ringsend and back to Garvagh and Kilrea, returning home via Portglenone and of course up Tully. This was a total distance of 55miles at 17mph.
 
This Saturday is ride five in the series and represents the first opportunity, for those with full attendance, to earn their bronze medals.
 
More Charity Cyclists.
The 14th of October sees the fifth running of the Carn Wheelers "Tour of South Derry.” The annual charity run, which has now raised over £20,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support, starts from Rossa Park, Magherafelt and covers a distance of 50 miles.Following on previous years, there is now a shorter route of 37 miles which bypasses the hills near Draperstown and Maghera.Carn Wheelers are using a secure online entry system through www.entrycentral.com /TOSD and would encourage participants to use this method.Entries will still be accepted on the day there will be no guarantee of the ‘Tour of South Derry’ T-shirt. Sign on opens on the day at 9:00am with the cyclists leaving at 10:30am. Full details at www.carnwheelers.co.ukThe entry fee for this worthwhile cause is £15.00 which includes tea/coffee before the start, refreshments during and after the event and a souvenir t-shirt. Many thanks to all current and new sponsors for their help in making this event a continued success.Team Madigan had a turn out of 232 cyclists from all over Ulster, for their recent Torr Head challenge charity cycle tours.The entrants raised £3600 for Marie Curie Cancer Care to help those greatly in need in the last stages of life. I’m not sure if anyone at Cycling Ulster compiles a list of all these charity events and how much is raised each year for worthwhile causes. I’m sure we would all be pleasantly surprised by just how much money is gathered up. It may help silence the critics, some of whom can’t stand to see cyclists on the open roads. Keep safe if doing the "Tour of south Derry”