Kerr-iffic season for Adam

The Kintullagh Park cyclist, who will be 14 in November, won four trophies during the 2010 season and showed steady improvement throughout the year.

Adam won the Samuel Mark shield for the youths' time trial best all rounder competition. His times were 6 minutes 43 seconds for 2.5 miles and 12 minutes 19 seconds for 5 miles. This gave him a winning average speed of 23.345 mph.

Adam won the Dave Millar cup for the youth league, where he amassed a total score of 136 points across all the club's youth section events.

He also won the Kerr and McAuley cup for the road racing league, while his fourth trophy was the Sandy Spence cup for the road race at Glarryford.

The other youth section cup winners were Emma Gordon who won the Clarke's Tyres cup for the road race at Broughshane.

Craig Crawford (Dunclug College) won the Greer cup for the schools' championship mini stage race at Broughshane.

Aaron Swan and Steven Carruthers of Cambridge House won the Brian Russell Inter schools trophy at the mini stage race at Broughshane.

The complete youth section results were:

BAR: (1) Adam Kerr 23.345 mph (2) Chris Surgeoner 7 minutes 21 seconds (2.5 miles) 13 minutes 28 seconds (5 miles) overall average 21.343 mph (3) Emma Gordon 8’.43” (2.5 miles) 15’.53” (5 miles) 18.048 mph (4) Lauren Carruthers 9.12 (2.5 miles) 18.44 (5 miles) 16.159 mph

Dave Millar cup youth league: (1) Adam Kerr 136 points (2) Emma Gordon 118 points (3) Chris Surgeoner 103 (4) Marc Moody 43 (5) Adam McCullough 34 (6) Josh Barr 24 (7) Lauren Carruthers 23 (8) Declan Kelly 18 (9) Stefan Wills 11 points.

Kerr and McAuley cup for youth road racing league: (1) Adam Kerr 56 points (2) Emma Gordon 50 (3) Chris Surgeoner 25 (4) Josh Barr 24 (5) Marc Moody 19 (6) Adam McCullough 18 (7) Declan Kelly 9 (8) Lauren Carruthers 8 (9) Stefan Wills 6 points.

‘SILVER’ FUN TOUR

Saturday’s BRC fun tour was the eighth of the 13 weeks series and represented the first opportunity for those with full attendance to achieve their silver medal.

Sixty one riders took part in the two rides but unfortunately the rain started just as they were leaving their Railway Street club rooms.

The touring section completed a shorter than usual ride of 28 miles because of the adverse weather conditions.

Their route took in Toome road, Caddy road and then right on to Coolsythe road and the long steady climb up to the Groggan road and on to Clonkeen road.

Next it was right on to Church road and the descent to Duneane and right on to Gloverstown road where the group continued almost to the Toome by-pass before turning right on to the Sustrans cycle route at Brecart road.

Then it was out on to the Roguery road and on to the left turn at Moneyglass on to the Loughbeg road.

By this time everyone was soaking wet and the final miles along to Newferry and up the Carnearney road and on to Ahoghill were simply a matter of enduring the ride as opposed to enjoying it!

Those earning their silver for eight tours were Geoff Allen, Steven Carruthers, Tom Caulfield, Christina Clarke, Jim Doherty, Tom Douds, Clifford Grant, Adam Kerr, Alan Mark, Joe McAuley, Hugh McCullough, Paddy Mooney, Simon Taggart, Richard Wilson and Wilnor Worthington.

Three riders completed their fifth ride and earned their bronze medals – Louise Fullerton, Owen McLaughlin and Stephen Smyth.

The “A” group completed a 50 miles ride, at 17.5 mph, to Carnlough and around the Coast road to Waterfoot and back up Glenariffe glen and back to the town via Cargan, Martinstown and Rathkenny.

Harry Thompson, who normally goes with the “A” group, came off last week on a muddy road and the news is that he has sustained a fracture of the head radius of the left elbow. This means he won’t be able to ride his bike for a few weeks. This a great pity especially as he had full attendance and his fall occurred because of poor road conditions, get well soon Harry.

Saturday was the third week in succession with a turnout of 61 riders and there was also another week with 61. The biggest attendance to date has been 70, while this year’s total for the eight weeks is 495. Another 30 was raised for the charity fund on Saturday. This now stands at an impressive 778.

CALENDAR

Saturday 30th October. Ride nine in the 13 week fun tour series will leave from Rex Bonar House at 9.30am.

Sunday 31st October. The weekend club runs continue with two groups departing from Rex Bonar House at 9.30am. The tourists will have a ride of 50 – 55 miles at 17mph while the “A” group will do about 10 miles further in the same time.

CLUB AGM

Ballymena Road Club members are reminded that their annual general meeting will be held in the club rooms on Monday 8th November from 7.15pm.

Anyone with a notice of motion for the meeting or who wishes to nominate someone for an official position should download a form from the club website and submit their suggestions to club Secretary Hazel Hughes well in advance of the meeting.

The election of club officials who will manage the club’s affairs in 2011 will also take place at the meeting. Reports from the treasurer, touring chairman and race secretary etc will also be presented.

The outgoing race secretary is Tommy Wilson, who did a great job again in 2010. Tommy has stated that he will not be standing for re-election to the post for 2011. This is a pity because Tommy has developed the role in recent seasons and he is widely respected by riders and fellow officials alike. However, with three young children all demanding his attention, it is fully understandable that he needs to step aside.

This will be a hard post to fill and anyone willing to take it on should also contact Hazel Hughes.

CLUB PRIZE NIGHT

The annual prize presentation dinner is scheduled to take place on Friday 19th November in the Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena from 7.30pm.

Tickets are 15 for the standard menu and tickets are currently available from Committee members. (Youths who are club members will be charged 10) Please note that all tickets must be paid for before the night of the dinner as it will be 20 on the night. Anyone requiring steak or roast beef should note that this will be 8 extra.