Post by manuel6b2 on Mar 20, 2009 14:34:57 GMT 1
Another excellent night on the tow path. Six of us out last night, Dennis, Alan, Stewart, Stephen H, Rabb (back for more) and me.
We set off on time without the need for lights. Alan and I were up front giving out lots of "walker!" calls up to the steel bridge. After which, the light faded and the number of walkers reduced. Alan was leading us up to the footbridge. All over for the burst on the other side and it was Alan, Rabb, Stephen H, me, then the other two as we headed for the Ring. Conditions were better around the ring than last week with only the usual areas of mud. Into the ring itself and Dennis took over the lead. At the far side we stopped to fix a front wheel puncture on Stephen H's bike. Dennis has the wheel stripped off in no time and with the assistance of Stewart's "big one" we were all back on the saddle again quickly. I lead the way down through nettle lane for a fast zip of tree dodging. Dennis took over the lead again back to the tow path. As we approached Shaw's bridge it was brakes on as the path between Shaw's bridge and Belvoir was closed. With gear crunching we all managed the switch backs up and over the bridge then along the far side before swinging into Belvoir at the next bridge. A great run through Belvoir with the usual dashes up the hills. Stephen H was not firing on all cylinders tonight and waited in the car park as the rest of us did the loop. When we returned to the car park we stopped again so that Alan could put some air in his rear tyre. Dennis lead the way out of Belvoir and back to the tow path.
A quick run down towards Strandmillis before turning and going into Lagan Meadows. Dennis set off first but I jumped in front to take over the lead. We paused as usual at the bench near the Malone Road entrance but Dennis urged Stewart to push on as soon as he arrived. I took off after Stewart who was going at a cracking rate. I passed him to get in front before the two dips.
We had a short rest at the exit to the Meadows before heading on back to Shaw's bridge. Stephen joined the rest of us on the climb up to Malone house. Alan was struggling with his gears when I passed him before I went past the other 3, Dennis, Rabb and Stewart for the exhausting climb up to the house. As I neared the top, Mr Experience Dennis came past me to reach the top first
. When the others arrived it was Dennis leading off and into the trees for a quick run up to the running track. Out the back and it was only Alan and I who went through the BMX jumps, Alan still not getting the exit sorted out through the final dip.
Rabb and Stewart then lead the group back to the steel bridge. Once we were all across I gave Stewart the command to "Hit the power" (or something like that). He had no trouble with that one. Stewart and Rabb took off at a cracking pace with Alan and me tucked in behind, Dennis and Stephen behind us. At the underpass I shot past the group and took over the lead, but it wasn't long before Stewart came round again and took over. I then joined him at the front and we lead for while. Dennis then jumped the group just before the "aquaduct" bridge. We then slowed up to let Stephen H join us again but as soon as we heard "we're all up", Dennis shot off again this time followed hotly by older brother Alan. I decided to give that race a skip and Stephen and I lead, Stewart and Rabb back to Lisburn. Stewart left (shattered) at Hilden. Alan and I then lead the group back to the Civic Centre with Dennis breathing down our necks the whole way. When Dennis seen the arches he shot past Alan, with me giving chase, to get through first.
Great fun night out. Lots of short bursts of speed. A warning to the other riders who are planning to do the club league. Beware the MTBers! ;D
25.5 miles done at an average of 13.8
Roll on next week for the last Tow path run before the league starts on Thursday 2 April 2009.
We set off on time without the need for lights. Alan and I were up front giving out lots of "walker!" calls up to the steel bridge. After which, the light faded and the number of walkers reduced. Alan was leading us up to the footbridge. All over for the burst on the other side and it was Alan, Rabb, Stephen H, me, then the other two as we headed for the Ring. Conditions were better around the ring than last week with only the usual areas of mud. Into the ring itself and Dennis took over the lead. At the far side we stopped to fix a front wheel puncture on Stephen H's bike. Dennis has the wheel stripped off in no time and with the assistance of Stewart's "big one" we were all back on the saddle again quickly. I lead the way down through nettle lane for a fast zip of tree dodging. Dennis took over the lead again back to the tow path. As we approached Shaw's bridge it was brakes on as the path between Shaw's bridge and Belvoir was closed. With gear crunching we all managed the switch backs up and over the bridge then along the far side before swinging into Belvoir at the next bridge. A great run through Belvoir with the usual dashes up the hills. Stephen H was not firing on all cylinders tonight and waited in the car park as the rest of us did the loop. When we returned to the car park we stopped again so that Alan could put some air in his rear tyre. Dennis lead the way out of Belvoir and back to the tow path.
A quick run down towards Strandmillis before turning and going into Lagan Meadows. Dennis set off first but I jumped in front to take over the lead. We paused as usual at the bench near the Malone Road entrance but Dennis urged Stewart to push on as soon as he arrived. I took off after Stewart who was going at a cracking rate. I passed him to get in front before the two dips.
We had a short rest at the exit to the Meadows before heading on back to Shaw's bridge. Stephen joined the rest of us on the climb up to Malone house. Alan was struggling with his gears when I passed him before I went past the other 3, Dennis, Rabb and Stewart for the exhausting climb up to the house. As I neared the top, Mr Experience Dennis came past me to reach the top first
. When the others arrived it was Dennis leading off and into the trees for a quick run up to the running track. Out the back and it was only Alan and I who went through the BMX jumps, Alan still not getting the exit sorted out through the final dip.Rabb and Stewart then lead the group back to the steel bridge. Once we were all across I gave Stewart the command to "Hit the power" (or something like that). He had no trouble with that one. Stewart and Rabb took off at a cracking pace with Alan and me tucked in behind, Dennis and Stephen behind us. At the underpass I shot past the group and took over the lead, but it wasn't long before Stewart came round again and took over. I then joined him at the front and we lead for while. Dennis then jumped the group just before the "aquaduct" bridge. We then slowed up to let Stephen H join us again but as soon as we heard "we're all up", Dennis shot off again this time followed hotly by older brother Alan. I decided to give that race a skip and Stephen and I lead, Stewart and Rabb back to Lisburn. Stewart left (shattered) at Hilden. Alan and I then lead the group back to the Civic Centre with Dennis breathing down our necks the whole way. When Dennis seen the arches he shot past Alan, with me giving chase, to get through first.
Great fun night out. Lots of short bursts of speed. A warning to the other riders who are planning to do the club league. Beware the MTBers! ;D
25.5 miles done at an average of 13.8
Roll on next week for the last Tow path run before the league starts on Thursday 2 April 2009.