Downpatrick tt

Hi all

Just wanted to thank everyone for giving up another evening in support of the riders this evening. It is very much appreciated and from what I can gather was another very sucessful event.Without your support on the ground this event simply would not take place.

Well done in particular to Steve, Peter, Dylan, Ollie, Dermot and Gavin Oakes who represented the club with distinction this evening.

I have not seen the results but it doesn't really matter as its getting out there and taking part that really counts and they should all be proud of themselves.

It was also very good to see our cycling companion, Peter Disney, making the great effort to come along and support the event, even though he is still having very significant pain. Having spoken with him tonight, it would seem things could have been much worse. Very frightening really.

I think his experience and a few near calls we have had in the past under very similar circumstances, show us we will have to tighten up our safety procedures at all times, particularly with reference to what the traffic behind us is intending to do. I think we would need to have a call from back of group to the front that all is clear when taking a right turn, as it is very difficult for the person at the front to look behind and see past the bunch. Something simple like 'clear at the back' similar to what we employ when crossing at junctions. It should be the responsibility of the person at the back of the group to anticipate when this call should be made and relay it along the peleton.

So we can relax for a while and look forward to simply turning up to the next TT without worrying about al the organisation stuff.

Thanks again all

Niall