Post by manuel6b2 on Nov 6, 2009 12:40:59 GMT 1
Great night on the tow path!
In stark contrast to the wash out that was Sunday, it was great to be back on the Lagan tow path on a superb autumn evening, dry and cool. Gathered at the car park were 8 eager riders including:
After much chat and gear admiration the nine set off around 7:10 with Stewart and I leading the pack and Alan and Dennis bringing up the rear. The pace was steady with only a few dog walkers out. We passed the first of two other groups of mtbers heading in the opposite direction. After a brief stop just past the steel bridge Stewart and I continued the lead with me up front on the single track section until the footbridge. All over to the other side and this time Stewart took to the front with me getting a faceful of mud. We then passed the second group of mtbers which contained a few familiar faces including John Bogues (Phoenix).
Given the mud we (Stewart) decided to skip the Ring and headed for the forest. The pace was easy with a few extra stops to make sure we didn’t lose anyone. At the first climb I was being boxed in by Alan and Stewart and as the climb started to bite Stewart moved out to the right showing me a gap between them. Unfortunately as I got up between them Stewart then closed the gap and I managed to clip both Alan and Stewart’s handlebars (Sorry guys!!). I then powered on up with Savage Pete following close behind. We regrouped then headed back down and along the forest path. At the run up to the next climb I was at the front of the group with Alan behind shouting that Pete was coming through. I dug deep and powered again up the climb with Pete nipping at my heels. This really did open up the lungs and thankfully we had to wait a few moments in the car park for the rest to catch up and for Dennis to put air in Jonathan’s rear wheel. When all were ready I lead the groups around the loop, Pete and Alan still close behind. We made a gap to the next riders so took the foot off the gas and regrouped. Pete, Alan and I were the first ones back up the car park, then followed David, Roy and Stewart. Colin arrived behind which left us two men down. I went back down the path and caught up with Dennis and Jonathan who had stopped to fix a puncture. All together again we headed out of the forest and back to the tow path.
Alan and I then lead the group on a fast paced run the Stranmillis before turning and heading into the Meadows. I waited by the gate as the other riders came through the caught up with them as they waited together at the signs. I then took the lead through the ever challenging Meadows with Alan, Dennis and Pete close behind. Back on the path and it was Alan and Pete who set the pace back towards home. At Shaw’s we decided to head up the climb to Malone House. I again held the gate as the others went through but in a moment of madness I raced across the grass, overtook 7 riders and joined the path to chase after Alan. Alan was too strong and made it up the climb first. David was the last to get up the climb as his chain came off. Alan and I then lead on a fast paced run through the trees and up to the running track. We stopped for a photo call (picture to follow) before we headed off to the BMX jumps, me leading. It was plenty slippery through this area and I had to fight to keep the bike upright. I got it together and got through the dip at the bottom back to the path. When all regrouped, and after much chat about falls and near misses, we all headed back towards Lisburn with Alan and I again in front. Past the steel bridge and it was Pete who took over beside me. The pace was steady, conversational level, until Alan started ‘stirring’ by telling Pete he was going too slow. Pete naturally responsed by putting the foot down. Alan jumped onto his wheel followed by Stewart, Roy and Colin. I continued by pedal pace and let them go. Jonathan and David also felt that the night was too enjoyable to bust ourselves in the last mile so we remained together. Stewart left at Hilden. For all their racing the front group remained in sight for much of the final stretch. All back for 9:20. Lots more standing about chatting. Really good evening had by all. 24 miles done with average around 13.
More mountain bike adventures this Sunday at our Trail Quest. Nearly all those out tonight are planning on doing it. For more details see our website www.dromaracc.co.uk
In stark contrast to the wash out that was Sunday, it was great to be back on the Lagan tow path on a superb autumn evening, dry and cool. Gathered at the car park were 8 eager riders including:
- the Trail Quest team ‘The Losers’ (out doing some last minute training before this Sunday’s first round),
- Savage Pete (who has just purchased proper shoes and clets to go with the pedals Alan gave him. Most likely this will make him even faster!) ,
- Jonathan (now on his 5th night out and getting stronger every week),
- Colin (on his 3rd night) and joining Colin were two of his motorcycling buddies Roy and David.
After much chat and gear admiration the nine set off around 7:10 with Stewart and I leading the pack and Alan and Dennis bringing up the rear. The pace was steady with only a few dog walkers out. We passed the first of two other groups of mtbers heading in the opposite direction. After a brief stop just past the steel bridge Stewart and I continued the lead with me up front on the single track section until the footbridge. All over to the other side and this time Stewart took to the front with me getting a faceful of mud. We then passed the second group of mtbers which contained a few familiar faces including John Bogues (Phoenix).
Given the mud we (Stewart) decided to skip the Ring and headed for the forest. The pace was easy with a few extra stops to make sure we didn’t lose anyone. At the first climb I was being boxed in by Alan and Stewart and as the climb started to bite Stewart moved out to the right showing me a gap between them. Unfortunately as I got up between them Stewart then closed the gap and I managed to clip both Alan and Stewart’s handlebars (Sorry guys!!). I then powered on up with Savage Pete following close behind. We regrouped then headed back down and along the forest path. At the run up to the next climb I was at the front of the group with Alan behind shouting that Pete was coming through. I dug deep and powered again up the climb with Pete nipping at my heels. This really did open up the lungs and thankfully we had to wait a few moments in the car park for the rest to catch up and for Dennis to put air in Jonathan’s rear wheel. When all were ready I lead the groups around the loop, Pete and Alan still close behind. We made a gap to the next riders so took the foot off the gas and regrouped. Pete, Alan and I were the first ones back up the car park, then followed David, Roy and Stewart. Colin arrived behind which left us two men down. I went back down the path and caught up with Dennis and Jonathan who had stopped to fix a puncture. All together again we headed out of the forest and back to the tow path.
Alan and I then lead the group on a fast paced run the Stranmillis before turning and heading into the Meadows. I waited by the gate as the other riders came through the caught up with them as they waited together at the signs. I then took the lead through the ever challenging Meadows with Alan, Dennis and Pete close behind. Back on the path and it was Alan and Pete who set the pace back towards home. At Shaw’s we decided to head up the climb to Malone House. I again held the gate as the others went through but in a moment of madness I raced across the grass, overtook 7 riders and joined the path to chase after Alan. Alan was too strong and made it up the climb first. David was the last to get up the climb as his chain came off. Alan and I then lead on a fast paced run through the trees and up to the running track. We stopped for a photo call (picture to follow) before we headed off to the BMX jumps, me leading. It was plenty slippery through this area and I had to fight to keep the bike upright. I got it together and got through the dip at the bottom back to the path. When all regrouped, and after much chat about falls and near misses, we all headed back towards Lisburn with Alan and I again in front. Past the steel bridge and it was Pete who took over beside me. The pace was steady, conversational level, until Alan started ‘stirring’ by telling Pete he was going too slow. Pete naturally responsed by putting the foot down. Alan jumped onto his wheel followed by Stewart, Roy and Colin. I continued by pedal pace and let them go. Jonathan and David also felt that the night was too enjoyable to bust ourselves in the last mile so we remained together. Stewart left at Hilden. For all their racing the front group remained in sight for much of the final stretch. All back for 9:20. Lots more standing about chatting. Really good evening had by all. 24 miles done with average around 13.
More mountain bike adventures this Sunday at our Trail Quest. Nearly all those out tonight are planning on doing it. For more details see our website www.dromaracc.co.uk