Tow path begins

[manuel6b2]

To all,

Let us head for the tow path for the usual time of 6:50 for 7 pm start. If the night is dry (and the light is good) I would like a photo of us in front of the civic centre then we could head off around Giant's ring etc.

Remember to check your lights tonight to make sure they are powered and ready for tomorrow

To anyone who has not done the tow path run before, you are more than welcome to join us. You will need to get suitable lights for pitch black cycling but tomorrow you could get away with less expensive lights (just stick close to someone else!!!).

Helmets ESSENTIAL!

See you there.

[manuel6b2]

Again to all those who have not been on our tow path runs before, the meeting place is located here



The location above is accessible from the Gregg Street / Canal Street entrance (off Sloan Street, A3).

[manuel6b2]

For those who have not yet paid their deposit to the Christmas dinner, please bring £10 with you tonight for each person in your 'party'. We need to get this to Anne asap.

Date: Friday 5 December 2008
Millbrook Lodge

[manuel6b2]

A fine, beautiful night tonight at the Civic Centre. The evening sun had not yet set, there were few clouds in the sky, the temperature was nice and there wasn't a breeze.

Six of us were out tonight for the start of the winter "tow path and beyond" runs. Ronnie, BL, Stewart, Dennis, Alan and myself. I got there early to take some pictures (see below). We got underway at 7:05 without the need for any lights. There were not many walkers out tonight, the majority of which we passed fairly quickly before crossing the footbridge and heading into Belvoir (met another 2 MTBers heading in the opposite direction). Fairly warm in the wood for a quick blast around before heading out and over to Giant's Ring. The ground was in great condition, dry but there were many roots exposed after the recent rains. It was great to be standing on the mound looking down and seeing the circular field inside the Ring knowing that in only a few weeks time the darkness will prevent us seeing this beautiful area. We followed our usual path out of Giant's Ring, along the road to the lane. Some kind person had dumped a load of stones at the top of the lane and the lane was very overgrown. Nettles everywhere. Ronnie and Dennis (in shorts as were most of us) charged through (with much grumbling about getting stung). The rest of us choose to try alternatives which did involve a little fence jumping but we finally managed to catch up with Ronnie and Dennis.

Off back to the tow path with Dennis doing much of the leading. Back in the forest the gang came to a halt when Dennis and Ronnie stopped to ask where the bridge had gone to. We retraced our steps to find a large tree down over the stream. Not wanting to change our route the gang very kindly volunteered that I attempt to cycle over the stream. This I managed to do but struggled a little on the far bank as I was in the wrong gear. BL was comfortably through next but there was a commotion behind him as Dennis managed to hit something which threw him over the handle bars. Luckily the helmet took the blow but he did have to get his feet wet. Stewart and Alan found it tricky but did make it across.

Onwards we went enjoying the dry night and firm conditions. Once back onto the tow path proper we zipped along nicely from the bridge to Strandmillis without passing anyone. We then turned back and went through Lagan Meadows. The gate at the far side was open which saved us having to stop. We all charged along with Dennis and myself at the head of the pack through the two dips before the drop back to the tow path (meet the same two MTBers again this time heading for Belfast). All back together we started to head back towards Lisburn. At Shaw's bridge I pushed them to head up the climb to Malone House. Dennis and Ronnie again leading with Alan and myself tucked in behind. Ronnie gets a phone call half way up and decides to answer it !!!
Hearing him talk calming telling the caller that he was "out mountainbiking" and was at a "tough section at the moment" was inspiring. However, with me right behind him he lost momentum and had to stop sharpish. I swerved onto the grass and pushed on. The group waited for Ronnie to reach the top and then he pushed straight on leading us into the woods. We went through the trees and out to Mary Peter's track and then down through the jumps to the tow path. Ronnie leading still decided that the dip at the end was unsafe. This was good enough for the rest of us so we all got off and walked around the dip.

Back on the path proper again it was Dennis and I taking the lead. With no-one about we had the tow path to ourselves. As we got to the Seymour Hill foot bridge Stewart jumped clear much to the amazement of the rest of us. He should have known from le Tour that a lone rider had no chance against the bunch. We carried out at the same pace until the next bridge when we started to up the tempo. Stewart came into sight and we were queuing to get past, such was the thrill of the chase!! Dennis, Ronnie, BL and I passed him quickly but as Alan passed, Stewart tried to jump onto the back of the line. Unfortunately Stewart and Alan got tangled up and Stewart headed for the river. Once we heard the noise, Dennis, Alan and I stopped and when back to look for him. Luckily Stewart had landed softly onto the grass and nettles. No injury to him or to his bike. However, Alan had a couple of broken spokes on his rear wheel which rattled all the way back to the Civic centre. All back for 9:20 pm

All in all a great night out and good to be back on the tow path. Everyone was keen to keep this up over the winter. It was felt that it would be better to stick to the tow path for the first 3/4 weeks before introducing a monthly (or bi-monthly) excursion. Hopefully we can get more out next week to build up the 'gang' before starting our 'away days'.

Figures from BL:
24 miles on the clock with a 12.9 mph average.

[smurf]

You guy's are more than welcome to join us on a Sunday morning at 07.00 around tollymore for some good XC riding along toll paths and the fun of the descends down the DH runs.

PS will the night runs be every Thursday?

D

[Deek]

Yes Smurf night runs every Thurs but keep an eye on this board as it looks like the venue might vary.
Might take you up on the Tolly run some week although lights will be needed at that time!