Fun Tour 13

Monday, December 3, 2012
The thirteenth and final ride in this year’s fun tour series took place on Saturday morning. The icy conditions discouraged many from taking part but, nevertheless, there was still a turnout of 44 riders, and that despite many attending the celebrations the previous evening at Eaton Park!The touring section completed a 37 miles ride to Carnlough and Glenarm and then back up Glenarm glen to Aughafatten and back in through the Braid and Broughshane.The "A” group of 19 riders also headed to the coast at Carnlough and then around the coast road to Waterfoot. At this point five of the group continued on to Ballycastle, by the end of the day some of them had 88 miles in their legs.Perhaps the sight of all that silverware on Friday night had inspired them.The rest of the "A” group simply climbed Glenariff glen and completed their ride in through Cargan, Martinstown and Rathkenny. This was a total of 44 miles at 17.4mph.
Another three riders completed their eleventh tour on Saturday to earn their gold medals, they were: Bobby Currie, Lori Phillips and Davy Rankin.
Aaron Swan earned his silver medal for eight rides while Michael Carroll and Paul McWilliams completed ride five for their bronze.
This year’s fun tour series has been the most successful ever held with a record total turnout of 779 cyclists over the 13 weeks, an average of 60 per week.133 different individual cyclists completed at least one tour with nine riders achieving full attendance. They were; Martin Ruddy, Danny O’Loan, Pius McKernan, Iris Grant, Sean Elliott, John Elliott, Jim Doherty, Maura Bradley and of course Rex Bonar who was in attendance every week to open up the car park and clubrooms.There were 24 gold medallists who completed at least 11 tours: 23 silver who had at least 8 tours and 26 bronze for 5 tours.The charity fund reached a record total this year too with £970 being donated to the Chernobyl Children’s appeal NI.The mayor will host a reception in the town hall early in the New Year as he is fully booked right up to Christmas.