Roger Aiken won the Ulster MTB championships today at Tievenadarragh Forrest near Ballynahinch. Organised by the busy Dromara club they were well supported and all the riders and spectators were highly complimentary about the layout and condition of the course. Well done Dromara.

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Roger Aiken - Ulster Champion

Despite some heavy showers during the main events the course held up and the roots didn’t claim too many victims. In MORE »

Not wanting to stick with cycling totally, we where at the Ulster Grand Prix motorbike racing on Saturday and Eric got some cracking photos of the action.  The weather held up right through until the final race and the man of the day was Guy Martin who took four wins and a second place in his five starts.

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Haven’t been taking many photos recently. I’ve been doing all of the cyclo sportive rides, inflicting some pain on myself - round the Lough, Dromara Hilly and Inishowen 100 over the last 3 weeks. Its a toss-up whether the Dromara (75 mile course) or the Inishowen was the hardest event. Dromara has no let-up in climbing or descending with Slieve Croob, Windy Gap and Spelga being the hardest climbs. Great organisation by the Dromara club, thanks to Trevor and others. Inishowen was 30 miles longer with some flats between climbs, but Mamore Gap was the steepest hill I’ve even gone up. Many ended up walking but thanks to my triple I just managed to pedal up. More climbing around Malin Head - not too bad, and then the killer at 70 miles, not quite as steep as Mamore but very long and stepped. Everybody seemed to come over this alone. Foyle Cc should have some photos up on their site soon on www.foylecycling.net . Over 200 did the Inishowen and over 100 the Dromara. These events are a tremendous challenge and great training for both road and MTB racing. The last killer one I think is the Tor Head challenge later in September. Have a go.

Eric

As you may have noticed the website recently got a facelift to improve its image.  This is currently a work in progress and is subject to small changes here and there.  As part of the change and to make the website more interactive we have set up a new message board forum to allow riders to chat about all aspects of the sport and have some fun.  Simply follow the link below for now, (A new header with navigation links for the site is on its way), register and get posting.  Oh and feel free to spread the word.  Hope you enjoy and suggestions are welcome…  Thanks

MESSAGE BOARD

Ever wondered what it’s like to run a professional cycling team and have them compete in the Tour de France?  Well Cycling Manager 2006 is officially released in the UK in just a few days time and this PC game allows just that.  Take on any of the pro-tour teams and lead them through an entire season.  Train your cyclists, condition them and race them throughout the year in all the classics as well as the big tour events.  This game looks to be a classic… For more, check out their site… www.cycling-manager.com