All posts by Stuart McLean

Titanic TORR Sat 11/03

SATURDAY ROUTE = https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42178785

ROUTESHEET – LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ONE  – As I don’t have one yet!  It’s a simple route – follow the coast road Carickfergus, Larne, Glenarm Cushendall and then rejoin original route.

The weather situation for Saturday has improved somewhat with dry (but very cold) weather in the morning and some light rain coming in in the afternoon.

However Friday night and Saturday morning will be very cold with temperatures well below 0 overnight. 

With that in mind THE ROUTE WILL NOW GO SHORE ROAD OUT ALONG THE COAST.

I will be checking Llayd / Torr while your on your way there and will divert you if necessary – but I don’t anticipate any issues (sorry).

Also note – return route has been modified to avoid Irish hill road above straid.  This can slush up a bit in the evening.  Control is now Ballyclare instead of the usual Ballynure.

Control points are now adjusted and are below.

Start – B& Q car park –far end (turn left in car park and go to end).   I checked last Saturday it was empty and there are no “don’t park here all day” signs.  Used for the last few years

Finish Protocol – PLEASE KEEP YOUR BREVET CARDS – this year we have online homogolation and I will be emailing you your homogolation numbers to write on the cards – you can use these for PBP registration if your so inclined.

I may be around at the finish – but I may be busy checking routes etc.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED – by text / email / whatsapp group .  DON’T FORGET TO INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND A BIKIE /SELFIE.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU DROP OUT.

A few notes for the day.

THIS IS A FULLY SELF SUPPORTED EVENT

  • Make sure you and your bike are well prepared for the conditions. 
  • If you can’t finish txt and let me know +447966255887 / email / what’s app. But don’t expect me to come and get you!

START /SIGN ON / FINISH:

Sign on starts at 7:15 and CLOSE at 7:50!

SAFETY

Please look out for each other – signal holes etc. and always join/overtake on the right.  THIS IS NOT A RACE!

It gets dark about 6:30pm, cut off time is 9:30pm BRING SOME LIGHTS. 

Remember, this is a self-supported event.

If you drop out please text me on +447966255887 so I’m not waiting for you at the finish.

ROUTE:

You are free to use any route from Ballyclare back to Car park e.g. Loughshore cycle path.

I will NOT provide printed route sheet on the day.  

Roads are generally fair to good – NOTE ABOVE WARNING

You will need to obtain proof of passage at controls – either a receipt or selfie / bikey emailed to me or posted on the whatsapp group will do.

PLEASE INCLUDER YOUR NAME.

CONTROLS

200km BREVET

Checkpoint       Date  Time

==========       ====  ====

Belfast

    0km   start: 07/04 08:00

          close: 07/04 09:00

Carnlough

   64km    open: 07/04 09:55

          close: 07/04 12:20

TORR – 98.3 – Selfie/Bikey somewhere e.g sign.

Ballyclare

  185km    open: 07/04 13:12

          close: 07/04 19:48

Belfast

  211km    open: 07/04 13:53

          close: 07/04 21:30

FOOD

Good availability of shops along the way/at controls except TORR .

TOILETS

Glenarm on coast, Carnlough behind spar, Cushendall – car park on Left (way out) , Cushendun / just before turn off to Torr, Ballyclare

See you Saturday,

Stuart.

Magilligan 300

Due to travel restrictions I am unable to run the N2S this year.  However, thanks to some last minute planning we have the Magilligan 300.

Unfortunately it is only open to riders who are resident in Northern Ireland, and who have an annual Cycling Ireland Licence. Please note that 1-day Licences are NOT allowed for this event.

Entry is via event master only  – https://eventmaster.ie/event/8GxnF7qTV1

Start: Corner of Boucher Road/Balmoral Road.(as per Antrim 300) – 6am Sat 08/05/2021.

Route – MAGILLIGAN 300 – A bike ride in Belfast, Northern Ireland (ridewithgps.com)

Entries close Friday PM.

Route Description

Pretty much the N2S with the S bit cut out.  Instead of the Windy Hill we go along the coast and out to Magilligan point and have a look at the hills we didn’t get to do!

You can “Free route” through Belfast City centre on the return.

LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT A ROUT SHEET.

There will be no reception at finish or support.

Controls:  All Controls are by selfie / bikey – please get your bike and landmark / tourist sign.

Boucher

12km – Divis Mast / Height Marker Stone

92km Shepherd’s Rest.

145km Peace Bridge

190km Ferry building or Point bar & restaurant

309km: Boucher.

Contact – Stuart – stuartm@stiona.com +447966255887

Innisfree 300 / 400

Still taking entries – please try and get them in this weekend – though I’ve asked for entry central to be kept open till Wednesday.

If you’re tempted by the 300 – (Lord) Paul Burchmore’s advice is you miss the best 100.  (And, IMO, he’s right).

Details on event page.  https://www.audaxireland.org/events-calendar/gazetteer/400km-events/innisfree-400/

I may change the route into Enniskillen if I get round to it – though I say that every year!