Spring Sixty Sportive
- Published in Cycling Club Events
Event Details:
- Date: - 15 March 2020 -
- Venue:St Paul's High School, Bessbrook
- Register
MMagee Donegal Bay Spring Sportive
Donegal is a tough place to cycle on a good sunny day, so a special well done to our members who braved the cold & bitter weather with 40mph gusts to complete the Donegal Bay Sportive. A super event despite the brutal conditions so massive well done to over 400 participants and especially to the marshals, catering, sponsors, medical support and everyone who helped out in any way.
London 2 Paris 2018
PCC's Robert & Stephanie Watson recently completed their cycle challenge for Marie Curie and recall their experience of the trip.
London to Paris – 21-23 September 2018
We arrived in London on the evening of the 20th to be greeted by Storm Bronagh which raged Thursday night with gusts up to 60 mph. Fortunately by 6.30 am on Friday morning when we met the rest of the group the worst had passed but we knew we faced 20-30 mph winds and showers for the first leg of our cycle to Newhaven on the south coast, a distance of 64 miles.
Not having done a cycle like this before we didn’t know what to expect. However we were surprised when after an initial briefing and team photograph we were simply told to follow the signs, ride at our own pace but re-group at the refreshment stops which were about every 15 miles. No organised peloton like on a PCC ride with someone shouting “change up”!
By the time we had a couple of stops the ice began to break amongst the group and everyone started to chat and relax. No relaxing on the bike though as we battled the wind all the way to Newhaven. A long day finished after the roughest sea crossing I’ve ever been on and a short ride to a hotel in Dieppe.
Day 2, Dieppe to Gournay en Bray, was easier than day 1 as it was only 50 miles through some very scenic countryside but we hadn’t escaped the wind which typically was more of a hindrance than a help. Steph and I even got a mini peloton going with changing up – once a club rider always a club rider!
We resisted the temptation of a late night as we knew the final push to Paris on Sunday was the longest stage at 70 miles and the forecast wasn’t good. An early start saw the group set off at 7 am and it seemed that Storm Bronagh had followed us all the way from England as it rained and blew almost non-stop all day. By now some of the group were flagging but all those Tuesday night spins, bun runs and sportives with PCC kept Steph and me riding strong.
By mid-afternoon we were riding through the outskirts of Paris and whilst traffic and road junctions slowed progress the excitement was building. As we were spread over the road it was arranged we would all meet up at a point 3 miles from the finish and ride to the Eiffel Tower together. And so it was that the17 riders plus two riders from the support team rode with growing elation towards the iconic tower. Then with a few hundred meters to go of course I got a puncture, the first mechanical either Steph or I had had the entire trip. As the rest of the group rode on we made our late arrival on foot. Not the triumphant arrival we had hoped for!
A glass of champagne and a group hug in front of the Eiffel Tower soon erased the disappointment of the finish as did the somewhat jovial evening spent with new friends. Whilst the cycling was good typically the highlight of the trip was the camaraderie engendered in what was an eclectic group who all had their own motivations for undertaking the challenge and their own stories to tell. From joining PCC to riding London to Paris Steph and I have learned just how sociable and enjoyable cycling is when you are with like-minded friends. And yes there was coffee and cake.
The Air Ambulance NI is one of our supported charities for 2018 and we at Portadown Cycle Club are delighted to help promote this special sportive.
The NW200 Air Ambulance Sportive is an exciting cycle sportive event covering the beautiful Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland, being held on Sunday 13th May 2018.
Three routes are offered, a 40 mile route, a 75 mile route and a 80 mile route. All routes take in some of the most spectacular scenery in Ireland, including;
The 80 mile route includes the legendary Torr Head climb, one of the toughest climbs in Ireland.
All proceeds will go to our selected good cause;
The NW200 Air Ambulance charity cycle 80 mile and 75 mile routes will leave the International North West 200 Pits area, Portstewart on Sunday 13th May at 8am. The NW200 Air Ambulance charity cycle 40 mile route will leave the International North West 200 Pits area, Portstewart will leave at 9.15am.
Sign-on is from 7am for the 80/75 mile route and 8.15 for 40 mile route at the same venue and car parking, changing and shower facilities will all be available.
Refreshments will be available en route and upon return to the Pits area.
The sportive will feature qualified first aid support, support vehicles, refreshments, marshals and supervision provided by veteran Causeway CC club members.
This is also an approved Cycling Ireland event.
A strictly limited number of entries will be available shortly - advance registration is advised. A minimum donation of £20 will be required to register.
First 200 entries only will receive a commemorative t-shirt!
Club Chairman, Robert Downes, said that he “was extremely excited that after last years event that it reached its capacity within 8 weeks. Causeway CC and the NW200 team will be delivering a top class event for cyclists wishing to challenge themselves and experience the best route in all of Ireland, raising funds for the new Air Ambulance service”.
We look forward to seeing you on 13th May 2018.
Route maps are available at:
40 Mile - http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1449440470
75 Mile - http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1449447124
80 Mile - http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/1456486600
Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AirAmbulanceNISportive/
Please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any queries.
Entry Central ONLY - YOU CAN NOT PAY ON THE DAY
PCC Sportive 2018
This year our club sportive will be held on Saturday 23rd June 2018.
Two routes will be available, a 73 mile Challenge will take enthusiastic cyclists towards Hilltown and up Spelga before dropping down into Newcastle for a food and refreshment stop, returning to Portadown via Banbridge.
A shorter 45 mile route will provide a cyclists with a scenic spin to Rathfriland, stopping in the village for a water / snack stop before heading for Banbridge, Gilford and back to the Rugby Club.
All proceeds from this Sportive will be for the Air Ambulance NI and Craigavon Area Foodbank.
Long Course – 73 miles:-
PRFC-Mullahead Road-Tandragee-Poyntzpass-Loughbrickland-Rathfriland-Hilltown-Spelga-Bryansford-Newcastle-Castlewellan-Banbridge-Gilford-PRFC
https://www.strava.com/routes/11872505
Short Course - 45 miles:-
PRFC-Mullahead Road-Tandragee-Poyntzpass-Loughbrickland-Rathfriland-Banbridge-Gilford-PRFC
https://www.strava.com/routes/11872575
The PCC Sportive is a special one this year in memory of our good friend & member John McNally.
Sign on from 8:30am on Bottom Gravel Pitch/Car Park at PRFC
Ride out at 9:30am
Entry Fee: £15
2 proposed routes available
BBQ on arrival back at PRFC
Two routes available
https://www.strava.com/routes/9079780 Short route - 27 miles
https://www.strava.com/routes/9079732 Long route - 60 miles
Supporting P.I.P.S & NI Transplant Association
A huge well done to the many hardy cyclists especially our own members and there was plenty of them yesterday who turned up to take part in the West Down Wheelers Coastal Sportive braving some testing wintery conditions!! A massive THANK YOU to ALL in WDW who contributed to another successful event for The Belgian Project and Children's Heartbeat Trust.{gallery}WDW 2017{/gallery}
http://armaghi.com/grieving-pals-plan-charity-cycle-in-memory-of-much-loved-armagh-man-shane-mcardle/