RIBBLE VALLEY NEWS

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008

CYCLING IN NORTHERN IRELAND DURING PART OF THE TROUBLES 1986-1990

During this period I was stationed (as a civilian adviser to the M.O.D.) at Thiepval Barracks Lisburn some 10 miles from Belfast Since that time there has been some reconciliation so don’t confuse the following with present day life in the province.
There were, and as far as I know still are, two main cycling bodies in the province (1)The Northern Ireland Cycling Federation ( N.I.C.F.) This body was then affiliated to the British Cycling Federation (B.C.F.) whose membership mainly consisted of Loyalists (Protestants) and (2) Federation of Irish Cyclists F.I.C. who were affiliated to the national body for the South of Ireland F.I.C. whose H.Q. was in Dublin and whose membership mainly consisted of Catholics and neither of them would mix and entirely operated as two separate bodies. I understand that there has now been some reconciliation but it reminded me of the BLRC and NCU battles of the 1940’s .
At first I did not know about these separate factions and was naïve in believing that all cyclists are friendly and would mix as in the UK but I soon found out.
The second week that I was there I took my touring bike and my Raleigh TT bike and had a ride out one evening down the Moira Road which is the main road to the border then to the south which eventually leads to Dublin over 100miles away. Anyway I saw some riders starting a 10 mile TT and I asked could I have a start. They said “yes” providing I wasn’t with the security forces, which I was but didn’t tell them. I felt uncomfortable to say the least so didn’t enter. The following day I reported to the Army security/ RUC and was advised that the club running the TT were Belvoir Wheelers (pronounced Beaver) and were an FIC club and I was strongly advised not to mix with such clubs. However they did advise me to find a Club around Glengormley, the Rev. Ian Paisley’s area with hard line loyalists. I found a club starting a 10 mile TT to Antrim town and back.. I asked could I have a ride and said I was attached to the MOD army. I was made welcome and introduced to members of the RUC, and other members of the security forces possibly MI5 or SAS ? I never knew and I wasn’t concerned and all that I wanted to do was ride and race my bike.
So I rode my first event and as far as I remember did a 25min 10, had a couple of Guinness’s and left, but as I entered under Preston Wheelers and as the results were published in the Belfast Evening News I was advised to join a local NICF club hence keep a low profile so I joined a club named Old Bleach which was once sponsored by a linen bleach works. They were very helpful and I was satisfied and didn’t feel at all threatened.
Incidentally the NICF had a vets section and the standards were very similar to the VTTA and I rode quite a lot of their events from 10 miles through to 100 miles. No 12 hour events were held. I finished one year third in their BAR, also rode a few road races as well but no LVRC type of events were held so I didn’t have much success competing with the younger age groups and just about managed to “hang on.”
On one evening 25 I rode there was a combined RUC/Army road block and they were stopping and searching every vehicle, the “stinger” was in place ready to use and puncture the tyres of any vehicle trying to avoid the block however we were waved through without stopping, who knows I could have been a “baddy” with a couple of pounds of semtex in my seat tube, however I did enjoy the competition and made many friends. The social side was good particularly the annual dinner and prize presentation always had a live band and great dancing and the Guinness was good.
The leisure side of cycling was excellent. Out of Belfast there is some gorgeous scenery particularly Strangford Lough, and the Antrim Coast road. Now that the troubles are over I would certainly recommend a visit. I spent many a happy weekend with the club touring the province. The roads are so quiet especially in the morning as all the people both Protestants & Catholics are in church. The Protestant areas one can tell by the blue & white painted kerb stones, the union flag and the Ulster Red Hand Flag both flying. In these areas everything shuts down all day, no pubs, no shops no cafés are open, no work being done, a typical dour Presbyterian Holy Sunday.
The catholic areas are distinguished by the orange, white & green painted kerbstones and the Irish National Tricolour flag flying plus the odd sign “Beware Sniper at Large”. After Mass the pubs open, shops, and cafés open and there is merriment on the streets and I was made welcome as they thought that I was a cycling tourist. If only they knew that I was with the army it could be dangerous!
There was a good rail connection between Belfast & Dublin and providing there either wasn’t a bomb on the line or the track hadn’t been blown up you could take your bike in the guard’s van like the old days no problems. I spent many a happy weekend in the south and out of the way of the troubles particularly cycling the Wicklow 200 K trials. Everyone was so friendly. I love the southern Irish although I made some good friends in the north
In the North the Antrim 200k trial including the coast road and return via the Glens is held over the most scenic roads in the whole of the British Isles, why give it a try?

Jack Stokes

REFUND OF ENTRY FEES Any club member who has ridden in an open event organised by the club during 2007 can have their entry fee refunded. Please apply to Gail Warren (01772 749709) with details of which events you rode.

CRB Checks At the AGM, several members agreed to have CRB checks done for the new child protection policy. Would anyone interested please give their name to Dave Thomas (01772 671151) or email badgers.croft@tiscali.co.uk.

CLUB HANDBOOK AND POSTER A new handbook and poster will be produced in 2008, but we need some pictures to illustrate them. Does anyone have digital photos of club members wearing the new kit? Please send your pictures to Gail Warren at: gailwarren@tiscali.co.uk

Suggested club rides for January 2008

All rides start from Preston College at 10.00 a.m.

Suggested Club Rides for February 2008

Mince Pie ride

The mince pie ride this Christmas had a very good turn out. We had 56 names down and we also had 2 more who came on the day. One was Dave Southworth, who some members will know. He is home just now and joined us for lunch after a cold, icy ride. David Oaks found us this time with his map!
The roads were not very nice at all. After rain and frost on Saturday, they were very icy. Station Lane and Eaves Lane were not good for 2 wheels at all, yet we still had 10 riders on 2 wheels. The rest all came by car! We had 4 who came off but no-one was hurt. Theresa got a hole in her new Ribble Valley tights already! The meal was good and even though there was plenty of us, we didn’t have to wait for our food. Thank you to all who came. Have a good, safe season in 2008.
Margery Pearson

WELCOME to new members Hilary Bell, Amanda Downes and Liz Kline.

NEW KIT If anyone wants any club clothing, please contact Shaun Pearson (01772 336733) with your order.

WHAT’S ON

New Starter Rides

There will not be any “new starter” rides for newcomers during December and January. The “new starter” rota begins again on 2 March. There will still be a “steady” ride for existing members on Sundays, but the groups will decided the route for themselves on the day. If anyone wants to join the “new starter” rota when it begins again, please contact Janette Stratford (01772 717385).

DON’T FORGET Sunday rides start at 10 a.m. during December, January and February. Please try to arrive at Preston College in time to start the ride promptly at 10 a.m.

Fast Sunday ride There will be a faster paced training ride starting from Preston Prison at 9 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Contact Martin Wallis (01772 339222) for more details.

Training at Preston Sports Arena

There is a possibility of some Saturday morning “chain gang” sessions at Preston Sports Arena if enough people are interested. Contact Martin Wallis (01772 339222) for more details.

First Saturday in each month Mountain bike ride Meet at Preston College and drive to suitable area. Contact David Warren (01772) 749709

Cyclo Cross races take place throughout the winter. If you want to give it a try, please contact Tony Hood (01257 251375) or Martin Wallis (01772 339222).

Saturday 16 February Course for potential British Cycling Commissaires. Venue is the Reebok Centre near Bolton and the course lasts from 10.00 a.m. to 5 p.m.. If you are interested in becoming a commissaire email competition@bc-nw.co.uk or telephone Ivor Armstrong on 01772 745647.

Saturday 23 February Trip to the Revolution track meeting at Manchester Velodrome. Tickets £10.00 each plus coach fare to be decided depending on numbers. Coach to pick up and drop off at B&Q Bamber Bridge. For more details or to book a place, contact Peter Turner (01772 617236)

Monday 25 February Club general meeting. Your chance to discuss what’s going on in the club and what you would like to see happening in the future.

Next Newsletter The next newsletter will be published on 25 February. Deadline for sending articles etc to the editor is 21 February.