Some photos – mainly taken by Brian and some from Ryan for those who haven’t seen them on FB – https://photos.app.goo.gl/rIU1Fo4VuJQ77i8z2
By 5:55am 9am 8 of the 10 riders were present at the new start location, opposite the old start location just off the Boucher Road. It was cool but so far for me anyway, the day was progressing well. Both my tyres were still intact and the extra bit of organisation of putting brevets and route sheets into labelled bags makes it all a bit more relaxing.
I dispatched Seamus to check the old start and one other arrived.
At 6 I gave my very brief speech. Aidan was still putting the finishing touches so a good group held back. Just as we were leaving Paul W showed. Apparently he can navigate 1400km but not 4.
The first climb up Divis was a welcome warmer to all – least that’s what I heard – and everyone was particularly impressed with the fresh pave towards the top. By the top I think everyone had met everyone else at least once.
I ended up in a group of six.
Sunrise bought little in the way of warmth but much in the way of beauty. With nobody particularly keen for more breakfast and a Brevet card signer (me) in tow, we pushed through the first control at Carrickfergus.
We groaned our way through Gleno.
On the Feystown road I lost the group during a call of nature and, in truth, because I was feeling the pace a bit.
The new descent to the coast is a bit easier.
The group had stopped at Carnlough – just around the coast but Ryan, Paul W and Gareth had pushed on when they realised it wasn’t the control. I guess some had confused the TT controls. I stopped for coffee with Ryan and Brian and cake, knowing that better fayre could be had than the meagre supplies in Cushendun shop.
We picked up Paul W through Cushendun and then hit the Head. It never gets easier.
Brian got some great shots of us on the last climb and 4 of us (minus Gareth and Paul) regrouped in Ballycastle for more food but I was unable to stay with them on the way out. I eventually caught up with Ryan and we rode together into the wind to Portrush where he stopped to make a call and Brian and Dean at the garage between Portstewart and Coleraine.
I only really do that section on the Antrim 300 and I always forget how nice it is.
The three of us made good progress with the tailwind back to Ballycastle where we controlled and began to add the layers. The vanishing lake was dispatched still with the air assistance. After that came my favourite climb, the long ascent (14km/404m) up Slieve Norra, more clothes, over to broughshane where we topped off our bottles.
Within no time we were fully lit up cursing the Collin and then happily on the long descent down to the bright lights of Belfast.
Back at Boucher the rave was in full swing. I nipped to KFC for my annual “huge pile of chicken” and then awaited the other riders.
Everyone by 12:15 and all in good spirits. Daughter and her mate left rave at 1 so all was good.
Slight route changes were for the better – but I would still like to re-route the Belfast return section. The number of traffic lights is annoying at the end of the ride and at busy times of the evening mixing with taxis, revellers going out or revellers being chucked out can be a bit of a pain.
Routeing back over Divis would not really be too pleasant and some of the ring routes would also be hilly and complicated and I know some are nervous about ending up in the wrong bit of town.
Anyway – I was pleased with the organisation this year and glad to see everyone was able to complete the full route.
Congratulations to all – particularly those who were doing there first Brevet, 300, Torr or all three!
Antrim 300 will return @ the same time next year.
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