Mountain Bikers take high placings in Leinster League & NPS

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Riders pose for a picture before departing on a 4day cycling trip around Scotland

The final round of the Mountain Miking National Points Series, held in Castelwellan saw some top results for Cuchulainn's off road cyclists. This final round meant that the points for the NPS were all added up and also the results for the Leinster League were finalised as well. In the premier category of Senior 1 Aidan MacDonald continued his exceptionally season by winning the Leinster League & taking second overall in the NPS. Couple with his Bull Raid win this truly is a remarkable season for Adian. In the Senior 3 category of the Leinster League Gary Shiels & Stephen Kelleher toke 1st & 2nd respectively. Additionally John Grace & Daire McCaughly had sufficient points to register 3rd & 4th place overall finishes, however having not completed the required number of rounds, they were not eligible for these awards. Senior 3 in the NPS had Gary in 3rd, Daire in 4th & Stephen Kelleher in 6th. These Senior 3 riders will all compete in the Senior 2 category next season & the experience from this season's racing is sure to see them easily negotiate the step-up. Finally Under 16 rider Aaron McCann was 3rd overall in the Leinster League & 4th in the NPS.
 
All of these mountain bikers will be in action on Saturday in the Club's "Da Cooley Thriller Mountain Bike Marathon". Set in the Cooley Mountains just outside Carlingford, the route, approx. 52kmm, will take riders on a complete traverse of the Cooley Mountains, taking in some of the Táin Trail and forest tracks to some roller coaster natural single trails once navigated by the bold Cuchulainn himself. Starting in the village with a mass start a big field is expected & Aidan MacDonald will be amongst the favourites.

 
The latest round of the FPM Accountants Summer Cycling League was a 10mile time trial, with a twist. Riders were not allowed to use aero equipment, such as special bikes, wheels, helmets & clothing, that allow them to "cheat the wind". As a result times were slower than we would typically see, but the results similar with Colm Quinn & Gerry McCabe finishing 1st & 2nd respectively. Sean Loughran, who was the 1st A3 rider in Drogheda's Garry Campbell Road Race last weekend, was 3rd quickest on the night, only 15seconds behind McCabe. Myles McCorry also had an equal time with Loughran, for a joint 3rd position.
 
As next week the league takes a hiatus to make way for the Louth Road Race Championships, the Hill Climb Championships will be the last event for riders to score more points in the league. At present 3 points separate 1st to 3rd with Gerry McCabe on 43, Barry Douglas on 42 & Colm Quinn on 41. 4th place Declan Grey sits a little further back on 36. As the Hill Climb Championships had no handicap system in place the battle for the top step of the podium will must likely be between Quinn & McCabe.
 
Meanwhile a large group of the club's leisure cyclists are currently on tour in Scotland. On Thursday last (August 18th) the group departed Dundalk at 6:30am, by bike, to catch the ferry in Belfast. They will return Sunday August 21st having completed some 450km over the 4 days.