As part of our “Celebrating Cycling Year”, which commemorates the achievements of local cyclists, including Seamus Devlin who won a stage of the Ras Tailteann 50 years ago in 1958, the Island Wheelers Cycling Club held a 200 mile cycling trip to Ardara, West Donegal (and back) in two days from Coalisland.
Twenty six riders took part in the event which departed Coalisland Saturday morning 21st June at 6am (ish). The route followed the following towns: Coalisland, Newmills, Pomeroy, towards Omagh, Killyclogher, Drumquin, Castlederg, Castlefinn, Ballybofey, Fintown, Glenties and we arrived in Ardara at 2pm approx.
The trip was expertly organised by club member Gerard Scott and his wife Marion, who planned in a coffee stop, a ‘big-fry’ stop in Castlefinn, and a ‘wee pint’ stop in the Glenties.
As if the 100mile cycle on the Saturday was not enough, at least two-thirds of the riders then ventured up the extremely tough ‘Glengesh Pass’ (another11mile round trip) and tackled three very steep ‘hair-pin’ bends, similar to those seen on the French Alps in the Tour de France every year.
The return journey on Sunday 22nd June was very enjoyable, despite the nearly constant rain all the way home (thank
god for the tail wind!).
We wish to thank the ‘sweeper van’ driver Barry Armstrong for his patience and endurance over the two days, and for keeping to the rule; “No passengers allowed in the van!”, and to Owen Campbell for the use of his big transit van.
See photograph attached of the whole group at the ‘Pint Stop’, Railway Bar viewpoint in the Glenties.
Chieftain Trailers Ltd. / P. J. Logan Memorial Race
- Sunday 30th March 2008
The Island Wheelers Cycling Club held their 4th annual P.J. Logan Memorial Cycling Race last Sunday 30th March 2008, kindly sponsored by local firm Chieftain Trailers Ltd., thanks to owner Mr. John D. Quinn.
The event was an enormous success with over 60 riders from all over Ireland taking part and ‘enjoying’ the very challenging 9 lap / 60 mile course around the local Bush / Ballynakilly Roads.Thankfully the weather was quite good, except the mega downpour and hailstone shower in between, however the fighting spirits of the riders were not dampened.
The race winners were as follows:-
1st Martyn Irvine (Team Pezula) 2hrs 35mins 30secs (almost 11½ minutes off last year’s winners time!!); 2nd Ryan Connor (Team Pezula) Same Time; 3rd Glen Kinning (Castlereagh CC) + 1min 33secs; 4th Paul Mulligan (Omagh Wheelers) + 2mins 30secs; 5th Thomas Martin (Clan Eireann –Linen Green) + 2mins 40secs; 6th Gordon Scott (East Antrim -Audi) + 3mins 7secs; 7th Ryan Bankhead (Ballymena Road Club- Scott Tiles) same time; 8th James McMaster (Northern –Dave Kane) same time; 9th Mark Greer (Maryland Wheelers) same time; 10th Sean Gray (Orchard Wheelers - Juiced) same time.
Category 2: Ryan Bankhead (Ballymena Road Club –Scott Tiles)
Category 3: Robert Graham (Island Wheelers CC – Chieftain Trailers Ltd.)
Ladys: Heather Wilson (Maryland Wheelers)
Veterans:Gordon Scott (East Antrim – Audi)
Juniors:Jonny Cole (Team Madigan)
Island Wheelers own:Robert Graham.
We must thank the following who helped make the day such a great success:-
ØMr. Pat Logan (son of P.J. Logan) for coming along to present the P.J.Logan Memorial cup.
ØMr. Seamus Devlin (Coalisland cyclist and R.A.S. Stage Winner of 1958) for starting off the race.
ØChieftain Trailers Ltd., Mr. John D. Quinn, for their sponsorship of the generous prize monies.
ØThe Commissaires, Mr. Noel Gallagher and Danny Blondeel for their professional advice & organisation.
ØTommy and Marion Lamb from Cycling Ulster, who provided much professional assistance, took photos and done their usual great write-up in the Cycling Ulster web site:www.cyclingulster.comm/news
ØGortgonis Hall staff (Kieran & Ryan Devlin) for their superbwork & organisation of the facilities.
ØThe four motorbike riders who done a superb job at keeping the race route clear at all times for our cyclists.
ØThe Order of Malta Ambulance crew (Sean Slater and co.) for theirgreat efforts (thankfully they had very little to do!!)
ØAll Island Wheelers club members & volunteers who willingly gave up their time, food, cars, vans & equipment, to make this years race another highly professional event.You are all a credit to our club & cycling in Ireland.
ØWe must also thanks various other local clubs (too many to mention) for their generosity in lending us lots of equipment; flashing lights,walkie-talkies, etc.
ØE.P.L. Hire (Ballygawley) for the safety barriers and cones at the finish line.
ØWe must also thank all the local residents along the route of the course who kept all pets indoors, and all the road users who were patient andcourteous to our marshalls on the corners and road junctions.
ØA special thanks to Island Wheelers’ Mr. Brian Cardy (Chief Race organiser), James McLaughlin (Club Chairman), Barry Armstrong, Peter Corr and all in the club Committee who, yet again, put so much effort into organising & running this event like clockwork.
ØWe must say a big well done to our own club riders, Robert Graham,Noel McLaughlin and Gerry McVeigh, who certainly made their mark out their amongst all those top cyclists.
ØTo the three brave ladies; Heather Wilson (Maryland Wheelers), JulieMulligan (Maryland Wheelers) and Anne McFarland (East Tyrone CC) who proved that it’s not just a man’s sport – well done!!P.S. Happy Birthday Anne – you didn’t tell us how many!!??
ØLast, but certainly not least, to all the ladies (Kim Armstrong, Helen Cardy, Marion Scott, and ‘Bridget’ Armstrong) who helped serve out the superb food and refreshments at Gortgonis Hall after the race. The fresh fruit, sandwiches, the ‘McVeigh pavlovas’, and apple tarts wentdown a treat!
For a fully detailed write up of the race and gallery of photos, please log onto www.cyclingulster.com/news
Wednesday Night Runs – just a reminder to ALL club members that this Wednesday 2nd April 2008 sees the start up again of the Wednesday evening runs.We meet at 6:30pm at the Heritage Centre car park and will go out in two groups, Race and Pace, depending on ability, at 6:40pm sharp.All members are urged to attend this, even if you have not been on your bike over the winter months, this is the time to get going again, and enjoy a bit of social craic along the way.Details of the ‘Pace Group’ proposed routes are already posted on our web site.
Sadly the Turbo Training nights are now finished until next autumn – we must say a special thank you to our in-house expert coach, Mr. Brian Cardy, who took soo much time and effort to make these training sessions during the winter months a great success. There are a few good men (and lady!) who will ‘flying ahead’ this spring because of this training.
P. J. Logan Memorial Open Race – Sunday 30th March 2008
The 4th annual P.J. Logan Memorial open race, promoted by the Island Wheelers CC, will be held this Sunday 30th March 2008.
The Island Wheelers Cycling Club are pleased to announce that this year’s sponsor for the P.J. Logan Race is local engineering firm CHIEFTAIN TRAILERS LTD, thanks to the generosity of its owner John D. Quinn.
Sign-on, changing, showers, refreshments and presentations will be at Gortgonis Hall in Coalisland.
Sign-on will be from 11am onwards, with the Race departing Gortgonis Hall at approx. 1.00 p.m.The first stage will be neutralised via Gortgonis Rd – Loughview Rd. - Ballynakilly Rd. - Dungannon Rd.(Flourmill Hill) to the premises of the sponsor, Chieftain Trailers Ltd. (where photographs will be taken) and then proceed, still neutralised, via Edendork Rd. –Mullaghteige Rd and straight over the Bush crossroads to START at 1:30pm sharp outside the old premises of Starplan (Approx. 50m down the Cavan Road from the Bush crossroads).
The race will be a very challenging 9 lap / approx. 60mile race around the local Bush-Ballynakelly roads; starting from the Cavan road, left onto the Coash Road, right at crossoads onto Drumkee Road, left onto the busy Ballynakelly road, then left at Ballynakelly village up the Coash Road, right at the crossroads onto the Tartlaghan road, and left onto the Bush Road, and left at the Bush crossroads, down the Cavan road. The finish line will be approx. 4/5 way along the Tartlaghan road (same as last year) towards the Bush road (Cranston Fuels premises).
Can we ask that all rider, marshalls, drivers, helpers, etc. sign-on for this event, as it is now a requirement of Cycling Ireland. All club members are expected to attend and help out in some way or other, and please be at Gortgonis Hall by 11:30am latest on Sunday morning to go over the final checks for the race.
Thanks in advance to all who will help to make this race a great success, as it has been in the last three years.
Island Wheelers Tough Reliability Trial
The Island Wheelers Cycling Club held their 60 mile ‘Reliability Trial’ race on Sunday 3rdFebruary 2008.Over 60 cyclists, young & old, male & female, took on the challenging race which ran from Coalisland – Moy – Armagh – Newry, and back via Poyntzpass, Tandragee, Portadown to Coalisland.
With average speeds @ 20mph in the front pack, and despite strong headwinds, rain and the ‘odd wee hill’, it was not long until everyone was back in Gortgonis Hall enjoying the well earned refreshments laid on by the Island Wheelers C.C.
The race was well attended by many cycling clubs, and we wish to thank the following for participating & enjoying our first big event of 2008, and making it such a success:-
-East Tyrone C.C. from Cookstown.
-Orchard Wheelers C.C. from Armagh (looking good in your new “Juiced” team kit!),
-Many others cyclists for all over the country.
-All Island Wheelers C. C. members who took part – well done.
-A special thanks to Eddie Polin, Mark Greenaway, Richard O’Lone and Brian Cardy for all their efforts & smooth cool safe driving of the safety and back-up vehicles. Thanks, yet again, to vehicle providers: James McLaughlin, Richard O’Lone and Owen Campbell.
-A special thanks to all to helped prepare and serve out the food, especially Kim Armstrong, Helen Cardy, and others – much appreciated by everyone.
SEE ALSO WRITE-UP & MORE PHOTOS ON CYCLING ULSTER WEBSITE: CLICK ON LINK....
The Island Wheelers CC held a pub quiz last Thursday night in the ‘Four Corners Bar’ in Brackaville, Coalisland. Thanks to all organisers, club members, and family and friends who attended and contributed generously to help make the night a great success. The ‘craic’ was good, but some of the answers to the questions were just not as good!
Sunday Morning Runs & Wednesday Evening Training:
Just a reminder that our Sunday runs still leave Coalisland (Lineside car park beside the Heritage Centre) @ 9am, & the Wednesday evening turbo training is still in full swing @ Gortgonis Hall 7-8pm, with professional training sessions by Brian Cardy.Why not come along & give it a try?All non-members are welcome at any time, we have spare turbo trainers, just bring your own bike.
Monthly Committee Meeting:
A quick reminder to all committee members that our monthly meeting (held on the 1st Monday of each month) is this Monday 4th February 2008 at 7:30pm Heritage Centre 1st floor meeting room. Can all members please attend as we have a lot of planning to do for our annual P.J. Logan Cup Open Race, to be held on Sunday 30th March 2008.
Death:
The Island Wheelers Cycling Club wishes to pass on our condolences to local cyclist Seamus Devlin, and all his family, on the death of his wife Susie last week. Seamus won a stage of the very tough RAS Tailteann Cycle around Ireland in 1958, 50 years ago this year.
Reliability Trial:
We wish to notify all members (and non-members) of the annual Island Wheelers CC RELIABILITY TRIAL to take place on Sunday 3rdFebruary 2008.This 60 mile run starts at Gortgonis Sports Centre, Coalisland and continues through Armagh towards Newry, turn back at the Five-Ways roundabout and back to Coalisand. Sign on is from 9am with a 10am sharp start. Detailed route will be given out on the day. Registration fee of £5.Showers & changing facilities are available.There will be refreshments provided at the finish. We would ask all cyclists to do the run at their own pace, and try not to ‘burn out’ too early, trying to keep up with the front pack!Above all, please enjoy the run.
Club Quiz Night:
Can all members (and their partners, friends, etc.) please note that we are holding a Quiz night on Thursday 31st January 2008 at the ‘Four Corners’ Bar, Brackaville, Coalisland. Quiz will start at 9pm with prizes to be raffled on the night. Teams of max. 6 people - £5 per head entry fee. Should be a good nights craic for all.
On behalf of all the Island Wheelers, we wish to congratulate Brian Cardy on his recent coaching trip to the ‘Sean Kelly House’ in Belgium. Brian was the 2nd coach to the Cycling Ireland Juniors track cyclists. Well done to Brain – you are a credit to yourself and our club.
Can we please ask a Mr Brian Doris to contact any of the club members or Peter Corr (club secretary). Brian has submitted his registration form, however we require further details from you to enable us to complete your application.
Sunday runs are beginning to see more members participating after the Xmas break. It’s time to put those New Year’s resolutions into action by getting back on the saddle! We meet every Sunday at 9am sharp, Heritage Centre car park, Coalisland for a fairly leisurely run. Ranging from 30 to 50miles, depending on weather and fitness levels.
Turbo training has started again every Wednesday night from 7 to 8pm at Gortgonis Sports Hall, Coalisland. Brian Cardy’s excellent professional training sessions are a great way to kick-start the New Year fitness in the right direction. ALL members are urged to come along and ‘give it a go’. We have a couple of turbo trainers spare, so NO excuses!
See also a recent photo of a few members doing a bit of track training on their mountain bikes at Gortgonis track 27th December 2007. Brian Cardy provided the excellent instructions and pushed the men round the track, even though the taste of the Christmas turkey and wine was still on their tongues! Well done to all who attended: Conor McGuigan and son Joel, Kris Nicholl, Barry Armstrong and Cathal McGuigan.
The Island Wheelers Cycling Club held their Annual General Meeting on Thursday 18th October 2007 @ 7.30pm in the Heritage Centre, Coalisland. Nominations for next years’ Club Committee were proposed and seconded, and the following people accepted the following positions:-
Chairman – James McLaughlin
Vice Chairman – Paddy McNally
Secretary – Peter Corr
Treasurer – Barney Carroll
Assistant Treasurer – Cathal McGuigan
P. R.O. and Web Site – Conor McGuigan
Committee Members – Mark Cullen, Brian McAllister, Barry Armstrong, Brian Cardy, Gerard Scott, Martin O’Donnell, Noel McLaughlin, Gerard McVeigh.
Club chairman, James McLaughlin, stated that ALL members of the club must play their part in the running of the club, and we all must share the workload to ensure the club continues to grow year on year.
Club Secretary, Peter Corr, stated that the club has now 53 members and currently is one of the largests cycling clubs in Cycling Ulster.
All commitee members are asked to attend monthly meetings, held the 1st Monday of each month, in the Heritage Centre, Coalisland at 7:30pm.
Club Membership Fees – all club members, existing and new, are reminded that they must pay their membership fees by the 28th Novemver 2007, otherwise an additioal charge (from Cycling Ireland) will apply to every fee paid after this date.Please make cheques payable to ‘Island Wheelers C.C.’ and give to Barey Carroll or Cathal McGuigan.
The 2008 Club membership fees are as follows:-
Leisure Cycling member - £40 (take part in any I.W.C.C. club events and other clubs leisure events only)
Club Competition - £50 (can compete in inter-club races and time trials)
Full Competition - £80 (take part in any type of cycling event in Ireland)
Club Chrismas Dinner - club Member Nicky Burns has again kindly organised a Club Christmas Dinner to be held at Dungannon Golf Club on the Donaghmore Road on Friday 7th December 2007 – starting @ 7pm.We would ask members to bring their partners, as they are the ones who deserve a good night out!Can anyone wishing to attend, please contact Nicky Burns ( or email via the club web site) as soon as possible (as there are limited places left) and leave a £10 deposit per person with him, or any other committee member.
Turbo Training – classes are now each Wednesday evening 7pm to 8pm at Gortgonis Sports Hall, Coalisland. Expert training programmes are set out by Brian Cardy and are guaranteed to keep your finess ‘ticking over’ the winter months in preparation for the new season. Cost to members is a mere £10 for first session of 10 nights! A real bargin.
Saturday Morning runs are continuing – leaving Coalisland Heriage centre car park at 10:45am to do a gentle ~ 30miles, at no more than 15mph.Great for beginners, or some members who have not done soo many miles this year – now is the ideal time to get back on the saddlein preparation for 2008.
Sunday Morning runs – leaving the heritage Centre at 9am.These are suited better to the more regular members who want to do ~ 50miles at a reasonable pace, but still no more than ave. 18-20mph (honest!!).
Club Competition Winner – well done to member Gerard McVeigh who recently received his £50 voucher from Coalisland Clothing Company (thanks to Mr Lawrence Dooey) for winning our own club competition.This consisted of 3 Road Races, 3 Time Trials and 1 Hill Climb. See photo below.....
