Sunday Cycle  25^th May 2014

A fair good turn out today for the Sunday cycle.   The morning was dry, if a little cool.

The group headed off for Gulladuff, Portglenone and then onto Ballymena.

In Ballymena we stopped  -- there were four members of the group who wanted to put in a few extra miles in preparation for the Wicklow200, and so wanted to head on out by Broughshane, hi.

The rest of the group headed for Galgorm, Cullybacky, Kilrea, Culnady and home,  a total of about 50 miles, all achieved in dry conditions.

Before the two groups parted,  Jimmy kindly donated his water cage to Anthony.  Anthony’s fancy carbon cage had failed badly,  and even though there was a terrible colour clash (Jimmy’s red cage on Anthony’s white bike),  it allowed Anthony to continue on in an hydrated manner.

The four Wicklow boys stoured on out by Broughshane and onto Carnlough, up the coast to Cushendun, over Torr Head and onto Ballycastle where we stopped for a welcome soup/coffee.   The rain had been torrential from just after Broughshane all the way to Cushendun.  The Torr climbs warmed us up a bit, but the descends were killers, leaving us wyle cowl.

Out of Ballycastle and a welcome tail wind home via Ballymoney,  to leave us with the ton up by the time we reached Maghera.

Well done to all.

I am now seriously concerned about this trip to Wicklow.  You see,  if it is a good day for the sportive,  I’m not sure we will be fit to handle it as all our training has been under wet conditions.  Come on Angie,  either give us one last good Sunday next week for our final session,  or else be sure it rains in Wicklow.

BTW,  I would advise caution now when viewing the attached photos  -- maybe best to slip on a pair of dark glasses.  Adrian is wearing a pair of intense jet white florescent Cannondale shorts  (there’s confidence for you).

BM