Nine Glens Challenge for Tourists

Monday, July 22, 2013
Sunday 28th July. The Ballymena Road Club – Chain Reaction Cycles - touring section will hold their annual Nine Glens Challenge tour.                                        This event will start from Glenarm at 10 am sharp and follow a tough course which will take in all nine of Co Antrim’s famous Glens.
The riders start with the ascent of Glenarm to Ballyvaddy and then the descent of Glencloy to Carnlough. Next it’s around the Coast road to Waterfoot before the near 6 miles climb up Glenariff Glen to Parkmore. The descent of Glenballyemon takes the group to Cushendall. Then it’s on to Glencorp before turning left on to the toughest of the climbs up Glenann to Orra Lodge.
After regrouping the bunch have a fast technical descent of Glendun to Cushendun and the well-earned lunch stop. Tea and light refreshments will be provided. Approximately 40 miles will have been covered by this point with the final 30 miles taking the group back out on to Glencorp and over the viaduct and the climb to Ballypatrick forest.
Once into Ballycastle the group then tackles Glenshesk towards Armoy before turning right on to the notoriously steep Stroan Road which leads to the top of Glentaisie and then the final downhill swoop back to Ballycastle. The tour will finish at the Silvercliffs holiday complex at the top of North Street. The entry fee donation is at least £5 and this will be donated to the Chernobyl Children’s appeal. The club’s events’ vehicle will leave from Rex Bonar house at 9am; there are limited places so please book your space if you wish to travel.
The tourists are still looking for a volunteer to drive the club’s events’ vehicle from the Glenarm start to the Cushendun lunch stop and then on to the finish at Ballycastle. Please contact Richard Wilson if you are able to assist.
The next touring event follows one week later on Sunday 4th August when "Martin’s tour to Carnfunnock” takes place from the BRC club rooms at 9.30am.
Monday 29th July Ballymena RC youth section five miles road race from Glenariff to Martinstown at 7pm.
Tuesday 30th July Ballymena RC will hold their annual Clough Rangers trophy race in Clough village on the famous Mid Antrim 150 motor cycle circuit from 7pm. The youth section will also be in action at Clough. The chief marshal for this event is Bobby Currie who will be assisted by Leo McCavana, Stephen Smyth and Emma Smyth and any others who can make themselves available.