Post by mtec45 on Nov 21, 2009 9:38:37 GMT 1
Three brave warriors out for another tow path adventure this week, Stewart, Dennis and Atomic Alan. The weather had cleared up ;D from the previous hard rains that we’d experience and it was dry and warm at 14c. Dennis was already warmed up after cycling over with 12 miles on the clock.
We all decided to leave the waterproofs behind and headed off discussing how much of a chicken the guys that hadn’t showed up were (Martin & Trevor, Jonathan etc)
With a wind on our back we made good speed, zipping on at approx 19-20mph with few about to slow us up. Evidence of the rains began to show as we splashed our way through some deep puddles, all the while enjoying it like kids!
About halfway to Drumbridge I was at the front when we rounded one of the long sweeping bends only to ride into another puddle but this time I couldn’t see where it finished
I kept on riding and it started to deepen very quickly until it really slowed the bike down and I had to change gears as Alan shouted “don’t stop”. The water was over the axles on the bikes (12-18”?) and our feet were saturated as they dipped into the water every rotation, it seemed longer but was probably only 50-60 yards. God it was fun, I’m bringing an outboard motor next week. Martin will help me design a website for this newly discovered sport www. ;)outboardmotorsforbicyclesdownthetowpathwhenitsflooded 
.com
Once the laughing stopped we continued on again at a good pace until the silence was broken by a few involuntary yells from us as this enormous white object appeared about 6 feet in front of our faces, flapping It was a hectic moment as our speed was approx 18mph. Dennis thought it was a ghost but it turned out to be a now very startled Herron Crane bird coming into land at the water’s edge. Its wingspan was probably 4-5 feet across and really startled us as it was “invisible” in the dark night until our lights illuminated it a few feet from our faces.
Onward to Drum Bridge were it was flooded below and we had to cross over by the road. I tried to take some photos which I’ll post, but using my phone they didn’t come out that well.
After the floods on the way to Stranmillis last week we decided to ride the Meadows backwards, so using the granny ring in first gear we rode up the VERY steep climb past the steps and onto the middle three hills that flowed a lot better in this direction. With another climb at the far end and then a fast descent to the gate my bum nearly bit a lump outta the seat as I got a little out of shape riding into a deep channel gauged out by the water
With a quick lap around the usual treads at the Waterfront and the bridges, on the turn around the wind suddenly got out attention, heading back we realized how strong it was.
Pushing hard our speed had dropped roughly 5mph despite Atomic Alan “half wheeling” Dennis (brotherly love....) ;D
We got to close to Cutters when we approached a women with an excited puppy dog, on riding slowly past we realized that the pup had started to follow us so we stopped. On seeing the woman unsuccessfully trying to catch the very energetic pup we all had a go, but looking back on it I think we confused the puppy even more. Once it was eventually caught we headed on and rode the Meadows again the normal way, all agreeing it is nasty in both directions.
Along the path Alan started doing some interval sprints as we watched on, heading for home through the floods and again having a laugh (when I told my wife she compared us to children playing in the puddles) ;D
Alan had a idea that we should each sprint as hard as possible for 100yards and then slow down till the other 2 caught up and then it would be someone else’s turn. When Dennis went he didn’t slow up much after his sprint so once we realized this off we sprinted in pursuit at 20+mph against the wind. We caught him at Lambeg and I could hardly speak. No doubt Alan will have to explain that game to him again in more detail.
Back home with 26 miles (Dennis would have approx 38) on the clock and a spray tan of mud. Best fun in a long time, those that didn’t show missed a great night.
Stewart.
We all decided to leave the waterproofs behind and headed off discussing how much of a chicken the guys that hadn’t showed up were (Martin & Trevor, Jonathan etc)
With a wind on our back we made good speed, zipping on at approx 19-20mph with few about to slow us up. Evidence of the rains began to show as we splashed our way through some deep puddles, all the while enjoying it like kids!
About halfway to Drumbridge I was at the front when we rounded one of the long sweeping bends only to ride into another puddle but this time I couldn’t see where it finished
I kept on riding and it started to deepen very quickly until it really slowed the bike down and I had to change gears as Alan shouted “don’t stop”. The water was over the axles on the bikes (12-18”?) and our feet were saturated as they dipped into the water every rotation, it seemed longer but was probably only 50-60 yards. God it was fun, I’m bringing an outboard motor next week. Martin will help me design a website for this newly discovered sport www. ;)outboardmotorsforbicyclesdownthetowpathwhenitsflooded 
.comOnce the laughing stopped we continued on again at a good pace until the silence was broken by a few involuntary yells from us as this enormous white object appeared about 6 feet in front of our faces, flapping
It was a hectic moment as our speed was approx 18mph. Dennis thought it was a ghost but it turned out to be a now very startled Herron Crane bird coming into land at the water’s edge. Its wingspan was probably 4-5 feet across and really startled us as it was “invisible” in the dark night until our lights illuminated it a few feet from our faces.Onward to Drum Bridge were it was flooded below and we had to cross over by the road. I tried to take some photos which I’ll post, but using my phone they didn’t come out that well.
After the floods on the way to Stranmillis last week we decided to ride the Meadows backwards, so using the granny ring in first gear we rode up the VERY steep climb past the steps and onto the middle three hills that flowed a lot better in this direction. With another climb at the far end and then a fast descent to the gate my bum nearly bit a lump outta the seat as I got a little out of shape riding into a deep channel gauged out by the water
With a quick lap around the usual treads at the Waterfront and the bridges, on the turn around the wind suddenly got out attention, heading back we realized how strong it was.
Pushing hard our speed had dropped roughly 5mph despite Atomic Alan “half wheeling” Dennis (brotherly love....) ;D
We got to close to Cutters when we approached a women with an excited puppy dog, on riding slowly past we realized that the pup had started to follow us so we stopped. On seeing the woman unsuccessfully trying to catch the very energetic pup we all had a go, but looking back on it I think we confused the puppy even more. Once it was eventually caught we headed on and rode the Meadows again the normal way, all agreeing it is nasty in both directions.
Along the path Alan started doing some interval sprints as we watched on, heading for home through the floods and again having a laugh (when I told my wife she compared us to children playing in the puddles) ;D
Alan had a idea that we should each sprint as hard as possible for 100yards and then slow down till the other 2 caught up and then it would be someone else’s turn. When Dennis went he didn’t slow up much after his sprint so once we realized this off we sprinted in pursuit at 20+mph against the wind. We caught him at Lambeg and I could hardly speak. No doubt Alan will have to explain that game to him again in more detail.
Back home with 26 miles (Dennis would have approx 38) on the clock and a spray tan of mud. Best fun in a long time, those that didn’t show missed a great night.
Stewart.
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