Fun Tour 2

Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Saturday saw the third ride in this year’s Ballymena Road Club Chain Reaction Cycles fun tour series.
Fifty four cyclists assembled at Rex Bonar House and they headed out in two groups.
The "A” group was actually bigger than the touring group on Saturday. This was the first time this has ever happened.
Hopefully all those who tried the faster group on Saturday will be able to continue with them.
Martin Ruddy provided me with his Garmin sat-nav data and it made for interesting reading.
The "A” group’s route took in Caddy to Randalstown, Staffordstown, Toomebridge, Ballyronan, Loup, Magherafelt, Tobermore, Maghera, Gulladuff, Portglenone and up Tully hill then Ahoghill and back. Their total distance was 58 miles at 18.3 mph. The average temperature was warm at 60.9 degrees Fahrenheit.
The tourists completed a 40 miles ride at 15mph. Their route was Galgorm, Russellstown, Granagh, Duneoin, Carclinty, Aghill road to Duneaney then Mullan road and left down Millbrae to Rosnashane.
Then the group visited the Movanagher lock gates on the river Bann before heading on to McLaughlin’s corner and in the Gortgole road to Portglenone.
They too finished their ride by climbing Tully and cycling on home via Ahoghill and Gracehill.
Another £85 was donated to the Chernobyl Children’s appeal, charity fund on Saturday.
The total already stands at £670. This is very encouraging with only three weeks completed. Many people have given more than the minimum £5 (one off) donation. A few have still to make a donation but there will be plenty of opportunities to do so over the next ten weeks.