The Hilly 125, Sunday 15^th August 2004

Large numbers were expected due to the telephones and the e-mail being red hot during the last week.  All eyes were on the weather!  Although the day dawned threateningly, the clouds broke and the crowds duly arrived.  The normal sign-in mayhem ensued but this was the first time I was required to act as traffic warden!

A massive 117 entered the grueling Hilly 125 km and 23 entered the 60 km event.  Two photographers, Bill Caldwell and Stephen Jess were on hand to take all the day’s action shots.  Again a number of cyclists were caught out on the ultra steep Cornmill climb, but all remounted.  The climbs of Dree hill, Windy Gap and the heat combined to take their toll and cyclists were strung out for miles.  This was an impressive sight.

 On to our new tea stop venue of Lowry’s Bar at Leitrim with a minor hic-up as the tea table had been set up 50 yards from the bar but it allowed more room for bicycles.  All seemed to be going well and my sandwiches were going down well too.  The only problems reported so far, apart from fatigue, were two broken spokes and a damaged tyre. 

 The second half of both events is not as tough.  The 60 km had approximately 25 km of undulating countryside on their return.  Since I was doing the Hilly, I headed off into the wind towards Spelga Dam.  The two roads before Spelga, Foffany School Road and Kinahalla are bumpy and steep and hurt the legs.  The left turn 100 m before the Spelga S bends and it was straight out of the saddle, grinding up into the wind with mist rolling around and rain drops falling.  At five miles per hour it seems to go on forever!  Such a relief two miles later to turn left, tail wind behind and head down hill at 40 mph into sunshine.  At the end of this fast decent I came upon Bill taking photos. As I had started late, downing my sweeper role ?? I had not seen many cyclists.  Knowing the route well and pacing myself I knew when to push harder and I was now at last passing people and I headed for home.  On the last climbs the heat was building but my drink and BBQ waited.  It felt great!  When I arrived, the crowds were gathered and the BBQ in full swing.  The bar was busy and the Olympic women’s road race was nearing its finish.  It was water first and then a cider for me, my average speed was only 14 mph but for the Hilly that’s fine. 

It was good to see and hear everyone enjoying the aftermath, including checking out last year’s photographs.  So once everyone had eaten their burgers etc and collected their certificates the day was done for some – others starter the evening session in the bar . . .

 Many thanks to all who helped from Dromara Cycling Club & Football Club.  Thanks also to Lowry’s Bar for the tea stop and to Bill Caldwell and Stephen Jess for the photographs. Please check out our website and see how you looked on the climbs!

 Many thanks and best wishes.

Trevor, Dromara CC Secretary.

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