Post by manuel6b2 on Jan 30, 2009 14:51:53 GMT 1
A text message from Ronnie at 6:40 asking about the weather was not a great start. It must have been pretty bad in Ballynahinch ! Although, not where Dennis lives!! 
With club membership fees due it was no surprise to find Trevor at the tow path, waiting, rubbing his hands in anticipation of Alan and Stewart paying up.
And that was the lot of us, Alan, Stewart, Dennis, Trevor and I headed off just after 7. It was a bit blustery with a slight drizzle. We headed off at a reduced pace to not blow out 'almost new to cycling' Trevor and '40 a day cough' Alan. At the footbridge we debated whether to cross over or not but it was 'gung-ho' Trevor who insisted that we did. Alan '40 a day cough', who has just got over a 'proper' flu lead the way. charging on as usual, and headed us up to Giant's Ring. The trail was muddy, not as bad as Bangor on Sunday, but still pretty slippery. '40 a day cough' charged on pleased with the way his forks were working (thanks to his wee brother sorting them out!) and managing to not fall off for the first time. Dennis and I followed with Trevor and Stewart bringing up the rear. The rain did get heavier but it was still not a hinderance. Across the Ring and out the other side, through the gate and down the nettle run, still blocked by the fallen tree (but not by the usual car!)
Back onto the tow path and headed for Belfast. Alan stopped just under Shaw's bridge. I had thought that his eagerness combined with his ill health had finally got the better of him. I was wrong. He was just checking who had called him. We met the rest at Belvoir. Alan charged straight in but wise brother and I decided that it would be better for the rest to skip Belvoir and head to Lagan Meadows instead.
A nice run down the tow path turning at Stranmillis and heading into Lagan Meadows. Trevor hit the dirt when he tried to lift the front wheel over the kerb but his forks did not react. Quick spin through the Meadows with me leading the way, followed by Dennis, Alan, Stewart and 'I don't like slippery descents' Trevor.
The rain was still persisting as we headed back. No encounters with horses this time. We kept fairly close together and jointly decided to skip the climb up to Malone House.
All back for around 9. Good night out. But where did the others go?
No reply from BL. Hope he isn't still mad at my comments about his mudguard.
With club membership fees due it was no surprise to find Trevor at the tow path, waiting, rubbing his hands in anticipation of Alan and Stewart paying up.
And that was the lot of us, Alan, Stewart, Dennis, Trevor and I headed off just after 7. It was a bit blustery with a slight drizzle. We headed off at a reduced pace to not blow out 'almost new to cycling' Trevor and '40 a day cough' Alan. At the footbridge we debated whether to cross over or not but it was 'gung-ho' Trevor who insisted that we did. Alan '40 a day cough', who has just got over a 'proper' flu lead the way. charging on as usual, and headed us up to Giant's Ring. The trail was muddy, not as bad as Bangor on Sunday, but still pretty slippery. '40 a day cough' charged on pleased with the way his forks were working (thanks to his wee brother sorting them out!) and managing to not fall off for the first time. Dennis and I followed with Trevor and Stewart bringing up the rear. The rain did get heavier but it was still not a hinderance. Across the Ring and out the other side, through the gate and down the nettle run, still blocked by the fallen tree (but not by the usual car!)
Back onto the tow path and headed for Belfast. Alan stopped just under Shaw's bridge. I had thought that his eagerness combined with his ill health had finally got the better of him. I was wrong. He was just checking who had called him. We met the rest at Belvoir. Alan charged straight in but wise brother and I decided that it would be better for the rest to skip Belvoir and head to Lagan Meadows instead.
A nice run down the tow path turning at Stranmillis and heading into Lagan Meadows. Trevor hit the dirt when he tried to lift the front wheel over the kerb but his forks did not react. Quick spin through the Meadows with me leading the way, followed by Dennis, Alan, Stewart and 'I don't like slippery descents' Trevor.
The rain was still persisting as we headed back. No encounters with horses this time. We kept fairly close together and jointly decided to skip the climb up to Malone House.
All back for around 9. Good night out. But where did the others go?
No reply from BL. Hope he isn't still mad at my comments about his mudguard.
