Fun Tour - Number1

Monday, September 9, 2013
Last Saturday heralded the start of this year’s Autumn and Winter 13 week series of the Ballymena Road Club "Fun Tours”
Last year the series enjoyed 13 dry weeks but this time out is was the complete opposite. Nevertheless twenty riders turned up at Rex Bonar House for the first round and they completed a 40 miles tour.
The route took in Slaght, Kellswater, Oldwood road, Lenagh Road and then Barnish road into Randalstown.
Next it was up Church Road and right on to Tannaghmore road and the steady climb to Groggan road and left on to Clonkeen road continuing to its junction with Church road. Then it was a fast descent to Gloverstown road before a right turn on to Duneane road and out at Moneyglass.
The final miles took in Loup road Loughbeg road, Newferry and across the main Largy line and up the Carnearney road and on to Ahoghill. This year’s charity fund will benefit the Chernobyl Children’s appeal NI and already the total stands at £380.
Once again the tours will receive support from Ballymena Borough Council who will host a presentation at the end of the series.
The normal well tried and tested format will continue for this year’s series.
The participants will be divided into at least two groups with the more experienced riders scheduled to cover about 50 miles on their tour.
Club members will welcome newcomers to the touring section’s group where the average speed will be kept to around 15mph.
This speed isn’t exactly slow for novices so anyone who turns up needs to have been doing some training in preparation for the event. The minimum age of the participants is set at 13 years and all those under 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or other nominated adult.
 
 Certificates and medals will be awarded to the successful participants with five tours earning bronze, eight for silver while eleven wins gold.
Participants are advised that crash helmets must be worn. They are also advised to dress appropriately for the weather conditions and to bring a rain jacket, spare tube, food and money. It goes without saying that bikes must be fully road worthy. There is a minimum one off entry fee of £5 to cover the fun tour series with the donations going to the Chernobyl children’s appeal NI.