The Castlereagh splinter group (Team Forestside - youth & senior sections) enjoyed a glorious days ride along the Ards peninsula on Sunday as they took on the Bangor Coastal Challenge 100k cycle ride. Peter Phillips, David Hamilton, Roy Ryan, Bobby Watt, centre manager Lee Cutler and two day passes for Simon & Stephen, colleagues from M&S set off at a healthy pace along the coast road. The sun was shining and with the wind behind us we hooked up with a similar paced group and combined to make a train of 12. The pace was consistently high and at one point the clock topped out at 30 mph! (All that hill training is paying off!)

After a quick lunch stop at Portaferry, Ben (youth squad) joined us for the last 30 miles. Once he mastered the complexities of a new bike with a triple chainring he was flying - especially up the Newtownards hill.

All finished safely ( well one small crash by Reggae man Roy on the way into the finish!) and ready for the big one (Maracycle) in two weeks time.

This was a fantastic event, well done to the North Down Cycling Club who welcomed and catered for over 1000 riders. We'll be back next year!