Fingers crossed for a frost free RT

Sunday, January 18, 2015
All local cyclists will be hoping for an end to the Arctic type conditions which kept them off the roads last weekend.
The main reason for this wish is that this Sunday, 25th January, sees the start of the "reliability trial” season starting with the Ballymena Road Club- Chain Reaction Cycles - event.
It is expected that cyclists from all over Northern Ireland will assemble at Rex Bonar House for the 10am start.
Weather permitting there will be three runs to choose from, with the organisers offering a 50 miles leisure group, a 62miles intermediate group and a 75miles "A” Group.
All three runs will depart from the Rex Bonar Club House, Railway Street, Ballymena.
The "A” group will leave at 10am sharp followed at five minute gaps by the intermediate group at 1005 and finally the leisure group 1010.
Signing on will open from 0900 with an entry fee of £10. Shower facilities are available in the club house where tea, soup and refreshments will be served after the event.  
Thanks in advance to all entrants and also to club members who are prepared to help out on the day for their continued support of the club.  
Proof of current Cycling Ireland membership is required or an additional charge of £2 for a "single day membership” must be paid to cover insurance.
The route for the "A” group is Ballymena, Lisnevenagh road to Springfarm at Antrim left on to Styles way to Greystone and Ballycraigy.
Then it’s on to Muckamore, Dunadry, Templepatrick, outskirts of Doagh then right on to the Longshot and continuing to Ballyrobert.
Next it’s Mossley, Greenisland, Woodburn, Marshallstown road to Beltoy road and right for Kilroot.
The coastal route is then followed to Whitehead, Glynn, Larne, Ballygally (stop at toilets and shop) Glenarm and Carnlough.
The next challenge is the climb from the coast up Glencloy before the fast sweep in through the Braid and Broughshane and on to the finish back at the BRC clubrooms. The target speed for this "A” group is 21mph.
There is an intermediate group this year for the first time.
The route for this group is the same as the "A” group until the outskirts of Doagh. At this point the route goes straight through the mini roundabout and continues past Ballyclare and on to Ballynure.
Then it’s on to the main Belfast to Larne road to join the coastal route at Larne, before continuing on to Ballygally (toilet and shop stop) Glenarm, Carnlough and Glencloy as the "A” group. The target speed for this group is 17mph – 18mph.
The touring section are aiming for a 16mph average speed for their 50 miles group. Their route takes in Larne road to Moorfields and on towards Glenwherry. Next it’s a right turn on to the Ballynashee road and on to Ballyeaston.
They then continue on the Lower Ballyboley road to Kilwaughter cross roads where its straight over on to Deerpark road and heading towards Carncastle before turning right on to Croft road and descending to Ballygally for the pit stop.
The final miles are the same as for groups "A” and "B” with the tourists also climbing Glencloy from Carnlough.


The BRC club racing calendar is in the final stages and will be released within the next ten days. It sees some minor changes to last year’s calendar with the return of two circuit time trials and a change of circuit for the club road race championship event.