Lap the Lough

29/08/2024

Don’t hang the bike up yet.
Quick plug for the Ards Cycling Club Tour of Strangford in a few weeks time.

Tour of Strangford   With thanks to all of our generous sponsors, 100% of the funds raised from the Tour of Strangford can now be donated to our two chosen recipients: Sands NI (Stillbirth And Neonatal Death Support) and Wayne Garrett’s recuperation fund. We’re also pleased to announce that clu...

27/08/2024

A HUGE THANKS TO ALL OUR CREW.
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Over 100 volunteers and staff work on the event each year.
We couldn’t do it without them.
THANKYOU…
Raynet NI West
St John Ambulance Northern Ireland
Volunteer Now
City of Belfast Advanced Motorcyclists
The Bike Shop Belfast Bicycle Workshop The Bike General
KHG Toilet hire.
Railway Physiotherapy and many, many more.

27/08/2024

BRAG without BRAGGING.
GRAB A LTL T-SHIRT
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We’re down to the last few Lap the Lough t-shirts.
3 different styles.
AND –we’ll throw in a FREE CYCUL cap with each order!

https://cycul.cc/collections/lap-the-lough-t-shirts

27/08/2024

ANOTHER INSPIRATIONAL STORY – FROM WILL
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Seen you have put on about sharing success stories.
I have one if you would be interested in sharing.
Just over 2yrs ago I weighed a huge 22st 7lb and had taken type 2 diabetes along with high cholesterol and high blood pressure at the age of 40 with my life passing me by.

I decided to try and lose a little weight motivated by wife who had lost a few lbs, week after week the weight fell of me and within a year I had lost a whooping 11st.

I started cycling in March 2023 to improve my fitness after the weight loss and joined Titanic Quarter Cycling Club July 2023 - I done my 1st 45 cycle and done Lap The Lough in August 2023 completing the 100 miles.

A year on from that day I’m now diabetic free, my blood pressure and cholesterol normal and have cycle 3500 miles since January 2024 to now including Lap The Lough 2024.

Cycling has been an absolute life changer for me and would recommend it to anyone for weight loss or to get fit and the mental benefits it brings along with the social aspect.

My biggest achievement was in April when I cycled the Torr 200 event 128 mile with 8000 ft of elevation. Love Lap The Lough and I look forward to next year.

Cheers to all the volunteers and marshals in terrible conditions and all the other cyclists who made the lap a great event. Here is a before and after picture cheers

Will

27/08/2024

26/08/2024

WELL DONE EVERYONE ON AN EPIC LAP.
That was character building.
We’ll have pics and thanks soon.

However, we had an email this morning.
I thought we’d share – as it sums up the whole ethos of the event over the past 19 years. Simply, to encourage everyone to start cycling and take on a life enhancing challenge.
Fee free to share your own stories.

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Just wanted to say thank you for everything.
This was my first Lap the Lough and despite the wind & rain, I can honestly say I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I'm not a cyclist! At most I'd have just done a little holiday cycling once or twice a year over the summer for single digit miles.

Thanks to some coaching and guidance from work colleagues who helped me source a road bike (that was 31st Jan24) and took the time to train me most weeks, I went from 7 miles on that first training afternoon in Feb to 74 miles by mid August!

On the day, the crowds were great, your marshals & pit stop crews were marvellous. Seeing the yellow tandem van was also a great sight to see. The other cyclists passing me by with encouraging words helped keep me going, especially when I was in new territory beyond the 75 mile mark!
I cheered myself at this point that I had made it to 75. Still I was nervous about the last 15 miles, could I do it?

I'm not sure how, the wind certainly was trying to push me backwards, but my legs kept turning the wheels.

The cheers from the finish line as I came round the last corner were amazing. The vegetable soup, so hot & tasty. Car Parking easy to find & plenty of space (the maps link, perfect)!

I hope I haven't missed anything.
So, yes, I just wanted to say, thank you for everything seen & unseen in putting on this event.

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24/08/2024

UPDATE - LAP 18
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• Light showers on and off throughout the day.
• Pack a rain jacket and FIT A REAR LIGHT to increase visiability.
• Moderate wind is from the south west – so a slight tailwind up to Antrim - and a slight headwind home.
• Take all your stops, stay well hydrated and take your snacks at all stops.
• Look out for potholes and warn other cyclists.
• CAUTION: 5 miles from finish – Clonmore Rd badly potholed
• Flag down the support crew if you need assistance.
SAFE TRAVELS EVERYONE!!!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2642077