Weekend Events – 10th/11th March

Mar 7, 2018

The Ulster road racing season pedals into action this weekend after the cancellation of the opening weekend due to the weather. The Spires GP in Ballyronan opens the 2018 competitive events schedule on Saturday with the John Haldane Memorial promoted by Newry Wheelers taking place on Sunday. Camlough CC meanwhile will be hosting the Spring Sixty leisure event on Sunday.

See below for more event info!

Spires GP – Saturday 10th March

**Racing will now start at 11.30am**

Entry list can be seen here

John Haldane Memorial – Sunday 11th March

Newry wheelers promote the popular John Haldane Memorial sponsored by Haldane Fisher on the Warrenpoint/Newry dual carriageway on Sunday. There has been a slight change to the finish which after completing several laps of the carriageway the riders will tackle the Greenan road which will see the riders battle it out for the prizes. The uphill finish is the first time it will be used in the race and will add another dimension to the race. Its definitely a tough one.

While the carriageway is flat it is always a hard race due to its speed and if its windy the bunch usually splits into pieces.

Due to emergency road works and maintenance on Sunday, the races will now start at 11am.

Sign-on will now open at 9am at Newry Leisure centre. There will be adequate parking, changing facilities, showers and a café at this location so you be able to grab a coffee before the race.

All races will start at the greenbank roundabout on the A2 dual carriageway(the newry side) at 11am.

A1-A2 Race 6 laps with finish on Greenan hill approx 60 mile

A3 Race 5 laps with finish on Greenan hill 51 mile

A4 Race 4 laps with finish on Greenan hill 41 mile

M50/Ladies Race 3 laps with finish on Greenan Hill 31 mile

Strava with lap with hilltop finish https://www.strava.com/routes/11677326

There will be over £1000 in prize money on the day.

Entry will close on Thursday evening at 8pm. All info on racepass. To speed up admin on the day its best to pre-register.The pay on the day que will be considerably slower as there is alot more paperwork to fill out.

All riders to have 2018 Cycling Ireland numbers and be clearly identifiable at the finish line.

Sign on Location – https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Newry+Leisure+Centre/@54.1803375,-6.3455057,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x276308e1bf6bfdd1!8m2!3d54.1803375!4d-6.3455057

Entry list can be seen here

Camlough CC – Spring Sixty Sportive – Sunday 11th March

The Spring Sixty is Camlough CC’s early season Sportive. Please see club statement below.

The event is always widely anticipated as it is one of the first of the year. A real Classic! This years charity is the Autism Families Support Group.

The Spring Sixty is always a lively event with some of the local racers (its not a race) looking to test their legs and strength before the racing season gets to full blown stage and the endurance and leisure riders looking to improve on their time last year and in turn getting excited as this is the first local sportive of the year, no matter what type of rider you are you will always be assured of a warm welcome at The Spring Sixty.

The weather has been unpredictable over the years, we have had sunshine, rain, wind or snow and sometimes all of those at the same time although The Spring Sixty has never been about good weather, its about seeing if your winter training has worked or kicking off your leisure season, either way setting your goals and expectations for the year ahead!

The distance is 60k (see what we done there!) over rolling South Armagh and North Louth countryside. We purposely designed the course to be fairly fast and not too challenging no ‘Killer Hills’ to be found here!. The event starts at St Paul’s High School Bessbrook at 10.00am sharp and will be open at 9am were you can also grab a tea or coffee and have the craic before the off.

The Spring Sixty is a Cycle Sportive and as such the event is open to cyclists of all abilities from novice to advanced. Traditionally the halfway stop is held courtesy of the award winning Fitzpatrick’s Restaurant where you will be treated to hot soup and breads to warm you up then onward to the finishing line. Each finisher is treated to a warm welcome and medal at the finish line plus a wholesome hot meal with tea and coffee. The atmosphere is always lively!

Last Year we had just over of 500 riders which astounding though it was we were at our limits and unfortunately came up short in a few areas (we felt) so in an effort to give everyone the full on Spring Sixty Experience we have made a few small changes, all for the better. Our Sportive is of the highest standard and that is the way we would like to keep it for you!

This year registration for all riders will be ONLINE ONLY. Tickets available via Eventbrite by clicking on the tickets tab on the events page or click below. (there will be no registration on the day though you will have to collect wristband for food & medal etc) Get your skates on click below and get booked!

For further information keep an eye on the Camlough Cycling Club Facebook page.

Checkout the video of route on relive.cc