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Post by manuel6b2 on Nov 6, 2008 11:21:53 GMT 1
Looks like it will be a clear night for the tow path.
Hope to see lots of you there!
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Post by manuel6b2 on Nov 7, 2008 1:16:59 GMT 1
Em, not quite the clear night we were expecting. The first riders arrived to drizzly rain. Thankfully this soon cleared after a few minutes. There was an event on in the Civic Centre tonight and car park spaces were filling up quickly. Ronnie and Alan arrived late and parked in behind our cars. A council jobs-worth passed us by then came back and told Ronnie "You can't park here like that". It struck me that this bloke showed up on his first day, got his induction training including health and safety etc but was sick the next day and missed the 'How to be courteous / people skills' lecture. Prat! We, of course, being gentlemen obliged Mr Happy before getting organised and heading off around 7:15. There were 7 out tonight, Ronnie, Alan, Dennis, Stewart, Gary, Noel and me. Alan and I lead and him and I chatted about his trip to Dubai (lucky for some!!!)  We had to stop only once because Stewart thought his back tire was going down. It was filled with latex and seems to seal fine. All continued to the footbridge then over to the other side. Alan was very keen to lead off and quickly took up the lead position. With Alan leading and me following we missed one of the turnstiles and 4 of us had to turn around and retrace our steps. It was Dennis who was keen to do the Ring tonight and it was he who lead us over and through the ring. Down through the nettles then back to the tow path again this time with Ronnie on the front finally back on his mtb bike. A good steady pace to Belvoir. Dennis and I lead off around the forest. We only noticed the rain once we left the forest itself. Finally out and over the bridge we turned right for the first time in a couple of weeks and headed for Lagan Meadows. Through the Meadows with Gary leading the lads through the dips. A nice steady pace was then set by Dennis and Alan. All back to Shaw's bridge where we all tackled the hill up to the Malone House. Just as we got started a mobile started ringing. It was mine. It amazed me how we often we have received calls just as we start climbing up that hill !!!!! Perhaps this climb could be renamed to "Telecoms hill"? Down through the forest, with no falls this time, then up to Mary Peter's track. Through the BMX humps before everyone queued to avoid the drip at the bottom. Back on the towpath, Dennis and Ronnie were leading . When we got to the low bridge I followed Noel through. I got some dirt from Noel's wheel on my glasses, shook my head to clear the mud but then clipped the inside of this bridge and fell on my knee. I quickly bounced up (adrenalin still pumping) and took off after the leaders. After the steel bridge I called for a change of leaders. Stewart moved through the riders to make it to the front and partner with Ronnie. The pace quickened early and left Alan blown out the back. I slowed so that he and I could follow together. We had a quick try to catch up with them but we couldn't. Alan and I arrived back together. The front lot we there a few minutes before we came back. All back for 9:25 and according to Dennis we did 25 miles and average 13. Great night. It flowed well. Thank goodness for no punctures! Roll on next week !!  |
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We had to stop only once because Stewart thought his back tire was going down. It was filled with latex and seems to seal fine. All continued to the footbridge then over to the other side. Alan was very keen to lead off and quickly took up the lead position. With Alan leading and me following we missed one of the turnstiles and 4 of us had to turn around and retrace our steps. It was Dennis who was keen to do the Ring tonight and it was he who lead us over and through the ring. Down through the nettles then back to the tow path again this time with Ronnie on the front finally back on his mtb bike. A good steady pace to Belvoir. Dennis and I lead off around the forest. We only noticed the rain once we left the forest itself. Finally out and over the bridge we turned right for the first time in a couple of weeks and headed for Lagan Meadows. Through the Meadows with Gary leading the lads through the dips. A nice steady pace was then set by Dennis and Alan. All back to Shaw's bridge where we all tackled the hill up to the Malone House. Just as we got started a mobile started ringing. It was mine. It amazed me how we often we have received calls just as we start climbing up that hill !!!!! Perhaps this climb could be renamed to "Telecoms hill"?