FUN TOUR SIX

Sunday, October 12, 2014
Saturday’s sixth ride in the fun tour series saw 70 riders assemble at Rex Bonar house for the day’s activities.
Another £46 was donated to the Chernobyl Children’s appeal and the total now stands at £971.
The 41 participants in the touring group headed out in two bunches until they reached the quieter roads. Their route took them out the Doury road, Dowgry road and on to Ballyweaney and Loughguille.
Then it was Stranocum and the mid-way stop at the duckpond in Ballymoney.
The return trip was again in two groups as the progresses along Bravallen road and on to Mullan road and Carclinty. They had a total of 46 miles, at 14.6mph; this was their longest challenge to date.
The "A” group, which leaves at the slightly earlier time of 9.15am, had 13 riders and they completed a 63 miles ride to Larne and around the coast road to Ballygally, Glenarm, Carnlough and Waterfoot before the 6 miles ascent of Glenariff glen and then in through Cargan, Martinstown and Rathkenny. Their average speed was 19 mph and, according to Martin Ruddy’s Garmin satnav report, they climbed 1576 metres.

Club Chairman John Maxwell had 16 riders in his group. They went to Randalstown, Antrim, Crumlin and Glenavy where they turned left and headed up the mountain. Then it was on by Cochranestown Road and Leathemstown Road to Dundrod where they turned right and then onto the 7 mile straight to Antrim and then by the A26 home. John’s group completed 54 miles at 18.8 mph average.
24 riders qualified for their bronze medals on Saturday having done five tours.
The medallists are – Adrian Archibald, Alan Blair, Bobby Currie, Ryan Currie, Jim Doherty, Peter Kearney, Nigel Logan, Trevor Magee, Deirdre McAuley, Harold McKinney, Bernie Monaghan, Francis O’Kane, Kay Rainey, David Rankin, Derwood Ritchie, Colin Scullion, Jonathan Scullion, Daryl Sempey, Maria Shannon, Peter Smyth, Chris Warwick, Andrew Wills, Stefan Wills and Wilnor Worthington.
The fun tours are due to continue for a total of 13 weeks and leave each Saturday from Rex Bonar house at 9.30am. (Except the Alan Blair group which departs at 9.15am)
Medals and certificates of merit are awarded for five tours (Bronze) eight for silver and 11 for gold.
There is a minimum £5 donation to charity which is the Chernobyl children’s appeal NI.