The Omagh Wheelers Reliability Trial takes place Sunday at 10am, with sign on from 9am. Two routes will be on offer on Sunday, covering 75 miles and 55 miles. Youth Sport Omagh will also be offering changing and shower facilities as well as tea, soup and sandwiches. The funds raised on day will be in aid of the open racing members of the club. A lead vehicle will be provided for each group and the pace of the groups will be controlled by experienced riders.
The route is as follows; Omagh-Dromore-Cathcarts-Kesh-Ederney-Castlederg-Drumquin-Omagh, or shorter option available from Ederney -Omagh.
For those based in the Belfast area and surround, Phoenix CC promote their long established Reliability Trial which is generally the last one before the racing season gets underway. This event will leave the House of Sport at 9am and will cover a distance of 60 miles. As has become a custom during the reliability season, Phoenix are also offering riders the opportunity to join one of two groups dependent on your currently level of fitness.
The route is as follows; Belfast (Upper Malone Road), Lisburn, Moira, Magheralin (Turn left towards Dromore), Dromore, Ballynahinch (Turn Right at the roundabout and head towards Newcastle however after a half of a Km veer left towards Downpatrick, Annacloy, (At the T junction on the Downpatrick/Belfast Road turn left and head back to Belfast), Crossgar, Saintfield, Carryduff finally back to Belfast. Biscuits and drinks will be available at the House of Sport and enroute after the "Pit" stop at the Beggs Hill. It will give a chance for riders to regain the bunch.
The Four Masters benefit cycle for injured cyclists will go from Letterkenny to Buncrana and back. This event is being organised to raise money for cyclists in Donegal who have been injured in the past year. A representative of the Four Masters club added at that “the cycle is a total distance of just over 52 miles and is nice and flat, with just a couple of short inclines. For anyone who does not fancy the 52 mile route the course can be cut shorter by turning right at Burnfoot, and not travelling to Buncrana, which would give you a run of 37 miles.”
The events HQ will be Voodoo on the Main St. in Letterkenny, with thanks to Jason Black. Sign on will open in Bar Voodoo at 9.15am with the event leaving at 10am. Refreshments will be served in Bar Voodoo after.
As this is a fun cycle there will only be one group. The pace will be controlled and there will be a rolling re-group from Newtowncunningham on the return leg of the cycle to have all cyclists return into Letterkenny and up the main street with a Garda escort.
Riders are reminded that reliability trials are not a race and the rules of Cycling Ireland and the Highway Code must be obeyed at all times.
Ulster Events on Sunday 21st February
Omagh Wheelers RT – Sign-On, Youth Sport Omagh 9am. Start 10am. Entry Fee £5. 75 & 55 Miles Routes (2 groups). For more details contact Brian Mimnagh (07841413295) or visit
www.omagh-wheelers.comPhoenix CC RT – Sign-On, House of Sport, Belfast 8.30am. Start 9.30am. Entry Fee £5. 60 Miles (2 groups). For more details contact Brendan McCartan (07788108727) or visit
www.phoenixcc.net. Map of Phoenix RT Route
Four Masters CC Injured Cyclists Benefit Cycle – Sign-on Voodoo, Letterkenny 9.15am. Start 10am. For more details contact John Curran (0863912949) or visit www.fourmasterscycling.com