Ballymoney Cycling Club's Flying Four Personal Best Times

Four first year riders Jason Taggart, who is a rugby player/coach at Ballymoney Rugby Club and only joined the cycling club last November, Bryan McKinney, a motor sport enthusiast and rugby player, Nigel Elder a downhill mtb rider and Niall O'Hagan a leisure cyclist.

All four were never involved in competition cycling until 2010.

At Woodgreen on the Ballymena, Antrim line the four lined up with 83 others to compete in the Dave Kane TT League event.

Like in all the time trial events even in the Tour de France the riders go at one minute intervals, there is no one to sit behind and take shelter from. You are on your own - A race of truth!

Four Ballymoney CC riders recorded personal best times riding the 10 mile in an average of 27-28mph. Fastest with what for all four times can only be described as breathtaking was Bryan McKinney in 21-39, Jason Taggart 22-47, Niall O'Hagan 23-20 and Nigel Elder 23-52.

Older members of Ballymoney CC commented that 20 years ago these times - especially Bryan's - were rarely heard of. A 23 minute 10TT would have won any local event.

These times show the dedication and commitment to training and camaraderie that these lads have with one another, coaxing and encouraging each other to improve and go for greater and greater achievements.

These four riders sent out a very clear message to others in the sport that Ballymoney CC riders are out to make a lasting impression on the sport of cycling and that no one can sit back if they want to be competitive!

Personal Best Times – 10 mile TT (Woodgreen)

Bryan McKinney 21-39

Jason Taggart 22-47

Niall O'Hagan 23-20

Nigel Elder 23-52

Jason Henry wins Final Stroan Road Race 2010.

Twenty one riders arrived in Stranocum last Wednesday night to face the daunting task of scaling the Stroan Road wall five times.

They set off in three groups with Aaron Dickie, David McConaghie and Jack Owens riding hard to make good their advantage. It was not until lap three that everything came together.

The scratch group being driven along by Chris Beattie, Jason Taggart and Stephen McNeilly, Ballymoney CC rider and eventual 2nd place overall Stevie McAllister was struggling to maintain a grip on this fast travelling group and at one stage was well out the back on the third time up the Stroan.

The quality of the racing that attracts these riders is seen in the final overall time of 30mile in 78minutes.(23mph average) round the Stroan!

Special mention to Ballymoney newcomer and business man Ricky Henry on his first introduction to road racing.

With the field well split up and coming into the final mile the race looked to be lining up for a sprint finish between, Jerome McKendry, Jason Henry, Jason Taggart, Simon Taggart (BRC), Colin Brennan, Chris Beattie, climbing specialist Stephen McNeilly and Stevie McAllister.

Two hundred metres to go and Henry pounced and put light between himself and the others winning easily on the line from McAllister and Taggart.

Overall result

1st Jason Henry

2nd Stevie McAllister

3rd Simon Taggart

4th Chris Beattie

5th Jason Taggart

6th Jerome McKendry

7th Stephen McNeilly

8th Colin Brennan (All same time)

9th Aaron Dickie

10th Johnny Dillon

11th Dessie Dillon

12th Ryan Fenton

13th Olly Bateson

14th David McConaghie

Saturday's Leisure Run

Again on Saturday the leisure run was well supported, as word get around that this very well organised and monitored to suit everyone outing suits all.

The group just gets bigger. With the slowest and least experienced cyclists in mind the group has regular stops and with cycle touring and sportives getting more popular the runs will get more location orientated.

As groups go out through the week on a Monday and Thursday leaving from Outdoor Life on Market St, Ballymoney at 6.30pm and on Saturdays from 9.30am. Everyone is invited to come along.

* You do not need a racing type bike as any bike will get you round.

The important thing is to get out on your bike. See you all on Saturday.

Coming events

On Saturday 21 August Ballymoney Cycling Club are planning Fundraising Bike Runs in memory of young James Elliott who last year sadly lost his life in the swollen waters of the River Bush attempting bravely to rescue a friend's Labrador pet.

Proceeds of these runs will be donated to Bush Community Rescue Service.

James's mum and dad Clive and Margaret are involved with the CRC and this worthwhile organisation that volunteers its service to the community deserves all the support it can get.

Both Mr and Mrs Elliott are attending Ballymoney CC's monthly meeting at the Joey Dunlop Leisure centre on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm to give a talk on what they do for the community.

Full details of the event will be in the local newspapers next week including routes for the 15, 30 and 50 mile runs.

All members of BCC and anyone else interested in helping are invited to come along on Tuesday evening to the Joey Dunlop Centre at 7.30pm.