Thursday 17 December 2009

[manuel6b2]

Last run tonight on the tow path before the sleigh arrives! ;D

Alan, Stewart, Stephen H and me confirmed.

Feel free to join us at 7pm at the Civic Centre.

[manuel6b2]

One word -

COLD !!!




Stewart or myself will write more later. Still thawing out my feet in the microwave ;D

[manuel6b2]

Now thawed!

Five of us gathered in Lisburn on a cool, clear evening ready for the final Thursday night burst before Christmas. Team 'The Losers' were there as always getting their trail quest training in and joining us, after a long time away, was Stephen Heasley. We set off around 7:10 with Alan and I leading the way. Hardly another soul around. We passed one group of 3 MTBers going in the opposite direction. We didn't get far when we heard the shout from behind saying "Stop!". Alan and I turned and came back to find Stephen had a rear wheel puncture. Stewart and I pitched in with Alan providing light and Dennis providing advice (and holding Stewart's bike!). Found a thorn. Replaced the tube, wheel back on the bike, hisssssssssssssssss. Down it went again. Dodgy tube is all we could conclude. Changed again. At this stage it was still cool but not full on cold.

Set off again taking it easy on the turns with a glistening of frost on the path. My hands were freezing after helping to fix the puncture and I was simulating using a keyboard by tapping on the brake levers to get the blood to my fingers. This seemed to work for the fingers but the toes were another issue.

We decided to head over the footbridge and aim for the trees, avoiding the ring as it would be too mushy. We had a nice steady pace through the trees with Alan up front and me tucked in behind. Up the climbs and it was Alan who was trying to get away but I didn't let him

We didn't hang about too much in the car park, it was really starting to get cold. Went around the loop and back to the car park again and by now we were all starting to lose feeling in our extremities. As we were leaving the forest Dennis declared he couldn't go any further as he had no feeling in his thumbs and fingers. There were no complaints, in fact relief, as we left the forest and turned left to head back to Lisburn. Dennis and I were leading the bunch, Alan was struggling, his energy was low. We kept the cranks turning getting back to Shaw's Bridge. No one even looked up at Malone House never mind discussed whether we should go up the path

There was a light smattering of snow as we were heading through the trees which did give a lovely Christmassy feeling to the night but getting away from the trees and out to the more exposed parts of the path the snow started to come on much stronger. Visibility was well down with the big lights hitting the snow fall. Luckily it was not lying too heavy and we kept pushing on, willing the Civic Centre to come into sight. Thankfully there were no more punctures and we kept the pace brisk. Stewart left at Hilden and the four of us pushed on not meeting anyone on the way back. Back for around 9 with no hanging about in the car park. It was home for a hot shower, warm clothes and hot food. ;D

Great night out despite the cold. Now going to surf for heated socks!!


"Dear Santa...... ;D"

[Bob P]

I am sure there's a pill for what ever ales you lot. Take at least 2 and find a darkened room.