Tow path 30 October 2008

[manuel6b2]

Weather forecast shows a nice clear night but with that northerly wind it will be a bit on the cold side.

Wrap up warm everyone!! ;D

Trevor and Paul were to strim the cx course today so we can have a quick blast around it tonight before heading off proper.

Hope to see lots of you there.

[manuel6b2]

Six out tonight including Ross (first time on the tow path this winter), Ronnie (still on the cx bike), Noel (who managed to dress himself quicker this week), Stephen H (Lanterne Rouge, who has joined us for the first time), Dennis (without brother Alan who is sunning himself in Dubai) and me. We were joined by Smurf (who hadn't been on the tow path in 6 years) and his gang (Jim, Alan and Martin).

All set off just after 7 with Dennis and I setting the pace through the cool night air. By the time we got to the footbridge smurf and co were nowhere to be seen. We waited but no lights appeared. As there were 4 of them we left them to it and headed on. We continued on and up to the Giant's Ring with Ronnie struggling in the mud on the cx bike. I wasn't much quicker with my replacement (almost slick) rear tyre. I'll definitely be replacing that this weekend

Through the Ring, then down through the nettles before getting back to the road and on to Shaw's bridge. Ronnie got to the front with Ross hot in pursuit. Dennis, me and the rest left them to it and it wasn't long before the two disappeared into the distance. We all met up again at Belvoir. I tried leading off but Ronnie soon caught me and set the pace. When the forest opened up we spotted lights in the distance. It was smurf and his posse of wild men. We thought the ten had reformed again but as we looked around we realised we were two short, Ross and Stephen. Ronnie and I headed back to find them. Stephen had had a puncture. We missed Stewart and his big pump tonight. Stephen had to make do with mine. Stephen did ask "Does anyone have a pump" before we set off from the car park at 7pm. I think he brought this bad luck onto himself!!!

The rest came to find out where we were. All 10 finally got underway again with me leading the other 9 back through the forest. At the cross roads Ross and I briefly battled it out up the hill with Ross the strongest. At the sharp right we looked around and did not see Dennis and 2 from Smurf's party. We found them at the crossroads. We reformed and headed back into the trees. When we finally got out of Belvoir we turned left instead of right avoiding Lagan Meadows and headed for Lisburn. Dennis and I were setting a lot of the pace again. Back to Shaw's bridge where all headed up the tight hill towards Malone House. There was much panting at the top of the hill!!

We headed back into the woods with Dennis leading again and me about 4th in the line. From nowhere came smurf who, using his downhill skills, shot past us. We all cried out to avoid the rut hidden in the leaves (this was the same rut that Davy McKnight fell at last year and never returned to the tow path again). Smurf charged into the rut and seems to handle it well before the bike started to wobble and then, just as his lights picked up the image of a large tree stump in the rut, he bailed, rolled and hopped up with a smile on his face. No injuries and back on his bike in a flash. It was the highlight of the night !!!

We took it steady through the rest of the wood before coming up to Lady Dixon Park. A quick stop in the car park to congratulate smurf on his excellent landing before heading towards the BMX track. This was pretty slippery and the dip at the end did not look nice to get into so I followed Dennis and walked down and past the mud. Back on the tow path again it was Dennis and I setting the pace back to Lisburn. As we neared the Civic Centre we went under the stone bridge passing our fan club who had waited to see us return and gave us lots of vocal support as we passed. I then lead most of the riders up the path and into the farmer's field that it due to be used in this weekend's cyclo cross event. I lead them around the barley stubble field to the drop down the embankment. Ross went first before the rest of us joined him. We crossed the bridge, did a quick loop around the grassy area before heading back. Ross and I did a bit more looking around at the cx trail with me going through the freshly strimmed undergrowth to view the condition of the course. All was looking well. I was last back to the car park especially after having a quick chat to smurf and the boys who were standing about getting organised for home. A good run tonight. Pity about the punctures.

See you all on Sunday !

[smurf]

Yes it was a good night out even with my tuck & tumble (only done it to bring a smile/laugh to those who ventured out). It was good to meet some of the DCC guy's as well and to get back to Lisburn for a spin on the Toll Path and trails around the outer ring.
I doesn't beat the XC riding around Tollymore though, however it was good to do something different.