NICF in Discussions with Cycling Ulster (posted 16 Nov 2006)
Following last weeks NICF AGM, at which there were no major upsets in the election of officers, a delegation of NICF officials has been tasked to meet with representatives of Cycling Ulster with a view to the amalgamation of the two bodies.
This comes about following correspondence from Cycling Ulster midway through the season to suggest the same.
Club Delegates at the AGM gave clear instructions to the NICF Officials to enter in to formal discussions with Cycling Ulster, and a meeting has been scheduled for next week.
Amalgamation could bring about harmony and unity within the sport in Northern Ireland, where division has now entered its third decade.
The outcomes from this meeting are to be distributed around NICF Clubs and officials and a Special General Meeting will be held in December.
Meanwhile NICF President Morris Foster (MBE) and Chairman Alan Mark will be attending this weekends British Cycling AGM which takes place in Manchester on Saturday (18th)
Anthony Mitchell
NICF PRO
AGM 2006The 2006 AGM took place on Thursday 9 November in Parkhall Colege, Antrim. The meting was well attended, and lively debate ensued!
There were no major changes to the Executive Committe, with most outgoing post-holders re-elected. One new face on the Executive is Team Madigan`s Gary McKeegan who takes on the role of Development officer, it having been vacant for a couple of years.
The main focus of the evening was a discussion on the suggested amalgamation of the NICF & Cycling Ulster, following approaches from CU in June.
The delegates present gave the Executive permission to proceed in to formal discussions with CU and a delegation to report back to the membership in December.
Awards Night 2006.
There was a good turnout of riders & supporters at the 2006 Awards Night in Newforge Country Club on 13 October. Main prizewinners on the night were Simon Stockton (Team Madigan) who won the Time Trial Best All Rounder competition. Tommy Wilson (Ballymena Road Club-Scotts) Took the Roadmans Best All Rounder series and Mark Greer (Maryoand Wheelers) won the 50 mile Championship cup. Heather Wilson (Maryland) received the Ladies Road Race award, with Gordon Scott (East Antrim) The Veterans medal and Simon Williams (Orchard Whs) the Junior. Youth riders were well represented with U14 Road Champion Jack Wilson (East Antrim) Laura Casey (Clann Eireann), Jessica Laird (XMTBCC) Johnny Beers (XMTBCC) and Richard Alexander (Team Madigan) among thise receiving their medals and awards.
Rachel Mitchell (North Down CC) took the rider of the year cup having been shortlisted from a list including Stuart Henry (Last years winner, and All Ireland Bronze medal winner in 2005), Conor McAllister (Ballymena RC) who represented Ireland at the Junior Tour, Tommy Wilson (Ballymena RC) who won the Roadmans BAR, and Ryan Connor (Sean Kelly team) who won his second Tour of the North title at Easter. Rachels win in the NI Under 14 `10`, 2 silvers and a Bronze at the All Ireland Track Championships, victory in the Ulster Track Championships and Belfast track league along with representative honours for Ulster at the Kerry Youth Tour saw her take the award, the first time it has been presented to a female.
The NICF also made a presentation to the PSNI`s Davy Cuddy who has recently retired. Davy was the driving force behind the PSNI motorcycle escort team that has looked after many races over the years.
Anyone interested in ordering any of the presentation photos can do so by contacting Jimmy Lavery on 91473116
Main prize winners l-r (back) A Mitchell (Track League) S Williams (Jun Road) H Adams (North Down CC - Club of the year) J Neill (Track League) S bennett (25 Champion) front J Wilson (U14 RR) M Greer (50 Champion) R Mitchell (U14 `10` + Rider of the Year) T Wilson (Roadmans BAR) P Hawkins (Senior Road) S Stockton (TT BAR) H Wilson (Ladies Road)
Best All Rounders Tommy Wilson (L) Ballymena Road Club-Scotts, Roadmans Champion and Simon Stockton (Team Madigan) Time Trial Champion pictured with NICF President Morris Foster (MBE)
Davy Cuddy from the PSNI receives a presentation on behalf of NICF for his services in providingmotorcycle escort services on majorevents.Making the presentation is MrsGillian Mitchell who presented allthe awards on the night, and AlanMark, NICF Chairman.John Lindsay mem. Torr Head Charity Cycle Challenge Sunday 24 Sept
The annual John Lindsay, Memorial ‘Torr Head’ Cycle Challenge for charity takes place this Sunday 24th September 2006 at 10.30 am, from Ballygalley on the Antrim Coast. The beneficiary this year is Marie Curie Cancer Care and if close to the same amount of money can be raised this year as last year (£4,000) it would be terrific, so if you can, please make a big effort to turn out and support the event plus enjoy a great day cycling on the Antrim Coast. Refreshments are included! Promotion of the event is by Team Madigan Cycling Club, Carrickfergus. www.team-madigan.org.uk
Minimum donation is £10. Please feel free to donate more if you want to, or even have people sponsor you. The choice is yours. All monies gratefully received. Note: please make cheques payable to ‘Carrick Road Club’ this is Team Madigan’s account name, and a final cheque will be made payable to Marie Curie Cancer Care. A certificate will be given to each finisher.
You choose the challenge that suits you:
70-miles Torr Head Challenge (Hilly): Start from Ballygalley Public Car Park, take A2 Coast Road to Carnlough, Cushendall, Cushendun (Tea Stop), Torr Head’s unclassified road to Ballyvoy, A2 back to Cushendall, Carnlough, finish at Ballygalley (Tea at finish).
50-miles Cushendun Challenge (mostly flat): Start from Ballygalley Public Car Park, take A2 Coast Road to Carnlough, Cushendall, Cushendun (Tea Stop), return via A2 Cushendall, Carnlough, finish at Ballygalley (Tea).
20-mile Carnlough Challenge (Flat): Start from Ballygalley Public Car Park, take A2 Coast Road to Carnlough and return on A2 Coast Road to finish at Ballygalley Public Car Park (Tea).
All participants should note that we advise the wearing of cycle helmets and that all traffic laws must be adhered to. Also each person involved with the event does so at their own risk.
Sign On will be at Ballygalley Public Car Park from 9.30 am. Come and have a go for the fun and help others less fortunate.
Riders set off on the 2005 JohnLindsay Memorial Torr Head Challenge from Ballygalley.North Down Trio for World Championships
Pictured are three North Down cyclists heading to Manchester this weekend to take part in the World Masters Track Cycling Championships.
The three are Paul Swenarton (Bangor) current Ulster Track Kilometre champion, Glen Jordan (Belfast) a two times competitor at the World masters and Anthony Mitchell (Newtownards) a medalist in all three disciplines at this years Ulster Track Championships. Coalisland rider Brian Cardy was also due to make the trip to compete in the 50-54 yearold category, but suffered a heart attack on 27th Aug. The other riders on the squad and the cycling fraternity wish him well in his recovery.
Jordan and Mitchell will compete in the 40-44 yearold Time Trial and Sprint competitons, with Swenarton in the 44-49 Time Trial.
Despite Mitchell being hampered by a back injury for the past month, the trio are looking forward to representing Northern Ireland on the World stage, where there are over 400 entrants for next weeks series.
The Northern Ireland squad have received assistance from Cookstown development company ADH Ireland, with company boss Kenny Smith pictured at last weeks Ulster Championships.
The World Masters events, in their 11th year at Manchester are due to move to Australia in 2007, however the 2006 edition has attracted over 400 competitors from around the world.
Final Race of the Year at Ballygowan.
Riders are reminded that the final event on the Ulster Road Calendar takes place on Saturday (Sep 9th), the Tour of the Peninsula at Ballygowan promoted by North Down CC.
The event will cover 50 miles, 4 laps of a 12.5 mile circuit.
Youth races will start at 11am, with the Seniors at Noon. There will be category prizes, lap primes and a `most agressive rider` prize in the £400 prize fund.
Event HQ is the Chestnut Inn on the Carrickmannon rd, which will be signposted from the roundabout in Ballygowan.
Signing on for Youths opens at 10am. Entry Fee £5 Senior, £3 Youth.
More details on
Connor lifts All Ireland Title
Ryan Connor (Sean Kelly Team) lifted the all Ireland under 23 Time Trial Title today (Sun Aug 27) at Londonderry. He beat team mate, Martyn Irvine with James Whelan a distant 3rd.
Under 23 Result -
1, Ryan Connor, 53 mins 55 secs
2, Martyn Irvine, 57 mins 22 secs
3, James Whelan, 1 hour 4 mins 2 secs
4, James Lattimore, 1 hour 8 mins 16 secs
5, Patrick Withers, 1 hour 12 mins 43 secs
In the Elite category, David O`Loughlin took a convincing win with Tommy Evans best of the NI riders.
Elite men result -
1, David O'Loughlin, 53 mins 12 secs
2, Paul Healion, 57 mins 6 secs
3, Thomas Evans, 57 mins 8 secs
4, Stuart Bennett, 57 mins 35 secs
5, Neill Delahaye, 57 mins 42 secs
6, Greg Swinard, 57 mins 55 secs
7, Vincent Gleeson, 58 mins 22 secs
8, Frank O'Connor, 59 mins 20 secs
9, Jonathan Dempsey, 59 mins 44 secs
10, Kieran O'Doherty, 1 hour 51 secs
Junior result -
1, Thomas Martin, 44 mins 8 secs
2, Dennis Dunworth, 44 mins 20 secs
3, Dairmuid Cronin, 44 mins 20 secs
4, Stephen Halpin, 45 mins 33 secs
5, Connor McAllister, 46 mins 34 secs (Ballymena RC)
Ulster Track Championships
The Ulster Track Championships for Seniors & Youth will take place over consecutive Tuesday evenings, commencing Tue 15 Aug (Weather permitting) Time Trials, Pursuits & Scratch races will take place at Orangefield from 7pm sharp. More on www.belfasttrackcycling.com
Tour of the Peninsula on-line Entry
North Down CC have launched on-line Entry facilities for the Tour of the Peninsula race on Sat 9 September. The 50 mile race is the last on the Northern Ireland Calendar, and will be based in Ballygowan, Co Down. On-line or postal entry fee is £5, or £8 on the day. More details on www.northdowncc.com
Make a Wish charity ride.
The Make a Wish foundation have announced details for the 2006 `Wish Pedlars` bike ride. This will take place on Sat 10 September from Cutters Wharf, Stranmillis in Belfast. There are 3 distances from 60 miles to a short family cycle in Lady Dixon Park. More details on www.wishpedlars.org.uk
Big Mo MBE
The NICFs president Morris Foster has been awarded the MBE in the Queens June 2006 Birthday Honours list. A well deserved accolade for one of the sports most enduring characters, big Mo was made the award for his services to Cycling as an athlete and administrator.
Death of young Ards CC rider.
The Cycling community are shocked and saddened at the sudden death of Ards CC 1st Year Junior rider Simon Hamill, who died whilst competing in a Club `5` on Tuesday 4th April.
There was a large turnout from his school, Regent House, and from friends from Golf, Cricket and Cycling at his funeral in Newtownards on Friday 7th.
Further information is available on www.ardscyclingclub.co.uk where messages of condolence may be left.
