The 11th Lap of the Lough took place on Sunday the 28th August and is an anti clockwise 160k circuit of Lough Neagh. This was my second year to take part in this event one of the premier Sportives in Northern Ireland. As its in Northern Ireland it's listed as 100 miles and all the distance markers are in miles. It takes a bit of getting used to. Everyone is taking about trying to do an average of 16 or 18 and you think they are slow till you realise you are the only one in km ph.

It was an early start leaving Dublin at 4.30 to drive to Dungannon for the 7.00 a.m. registration in time for a 7.30 rollout. Heading out in the dark I wished I had been like Fergal, Louise and Grainne who had wisely decided to travel up the day before. Daylight arrived just as I went through Armagh and I pulled into Dungannon in good time for the event. Fergal and myself were in Bank of Ireland colours for the day - but Orwell to the core - as we had a team of 170 of our work colleagues taking part in the event, some of them on their first sportive. Fergal ran a training group in work and his protégées had a very successful first outing.

The course is fairly flat and fast. Starting on the 'Hill of the O Neill' above Dungannon Market Square we headed out through Portadown and then along quiet country roads and through sleepy villages heading north towards Antrim. I never found Fergal, Grainne or Louise at the start so slotted in with a great group from Portadown Cycling Club. Everyone was so friendly and chatted as we went along and were delighted when they discovered we had come up from Dublin for the event. One of the things you notice is the completely different range of cycling clubs and kit from every part of Northern Ireland that we never see on the events through the rest of the year. The Lough was visible from time to time on our left but it's really the second half before you cycle along the shore. In the gardens of Antrim Castle we stopped for lunch - we were progressing so quickly this was at 10.15! From there we had an up hill section before returning to the side of the Lough. As you look across the vast stretch of water it's hard to believe you were on the other side only a short time previously.

We passed the 90 mile sign and the feeling of relief set in a bit early. No one had warned us that Dungannon is up a series of steep hills that all come in the last 3 miles. It's a tough end with the last climb up a wall of cobble stones. From the viewing point on the top of the 'Hill of the O Neill' it's incredible to look right out over the Lough and it's the only occasion where I believe you can scan the full route of a sportive and reflect on what you have achieved.

We all made it round well inside 6 hours and it was a most enjoyable 'international' trip up North. If you are thinking of doing a flat quick 160k and want to meet different people in a new setting then it's one to consider next year.