Shimna Wheelers Work Through The Autumn Rains

On a wet and dull Saturday morning a group of Club members mucked in with the task of preparing Donard Park for the up and coming Shimna Wheelers CX Race.

It was evident from the off that even a day which started out wet wasn’t going to dampen any of spirits of these folks.

Some of the Sprocket Rockets ready for action.
Some of the Sprocket Rockets ready for action.

Some certainly got it much easier than others when it came to cutting the grass with a member piloting a ride on mower whilst others used strimmers to mark out the course!

Big thanks must go to each and everyone one who turned up to help out on Saturday. Without your help this race would not be happening. Thanks again for your time and efforts.

Anniversary Cycle

On Sunday the Shimna Wheelers celebrated the anniversary of their first organised Club run on the 16th Oct 1983 which was guided by Seamus Downey of Banbridge Wheelers.

A happy wheeler - Malachi Mulholland.
A happy wheeler – Malachi Mulholland.

First and foremost a big thank-you must be offered to all those who helped out and participated in the Clubs first anniversary cycle. A special mention must go to Dennis Ward who is a founding member of our Club and was the main driver behind the anniversary cycle.

Dennis put significant time and effort put into the event and his attention to the detail and planning deserves immense credit.

The Club was well represented from our youngest members, the Sprocket Rockets, right up to the elder states folk in the Club. There was no mistaking or missing the Shimna Wheelers with the newly acquired gazebo sitting proudly outside the leisure centre offering shelter to all members on a blustery morning.

It should be mentioned at this point that Mickey Clarke did a top job sourcing the gazebo which is a massive asset for the Club.

The Sprocket Rockets were first off  around the town, demonstrating their bike handling skills which have been dialled in every Saturday morning in the local forests. Then it was the big kids turn as the grown ups headed off for their road cycling fix.

Unfortunately Damien, Christopher and Peter had slight falls on the day and we wish you all speedy recoveries.

It is hoped this event will become an annual event and there is no doubt this event will only grow and develop in years to come. It certainly was a great set up with the organisers, the marshals, and the car and motorbike outriders all combining to make it a successful event.

Again well done and thank-you to everyone.