Post by manuel6b2 on Jan 21, 2011 12:20:11 GMT 1
Brrrrrrrrrrr! Cold one last night. 0oC when we gathered before 7 at the Civic Centre in Lisburn. Seven of us in total. Trevor N, Adrian (Mr consistent), Raymund, Stewart, Alan, new guy Phil G and me. The others finding it too cold.
We set off along the tow path with Alan and me on the front and a frosting of ice on the path. Thankfully it was only "frosting" and had not glazed over. There was enough grip but we did take it easy on the bends. The pace was steady aiming to keep all the riders together. Hardly anyone else on the path. In total I think we came across one walker and two joggers. We did meet two cyclists at the first pit stop, regular guys in sweat tops and no helmets. There was not much hanging around. We pushed on to the footbridge and crossed over. Nice run along the other side up to the Ring. Trevor N thought his front tyre was going down and had dropped to the back. Stewart and I stopped to check on him. False alarm. The rest were awaiting at the Ring. Raymund lead us across. On down through Nettle Lane, the mud was hardpacked making for a fast descent. Onto the road and heading for Shaw's. Great run up through Shaw's to the trees. Great run through here, ground so hard it felt like tarmac. I was at the back of the group as we headed for the first hill. Alan was well out in front. I didn't want to leave him on his own so I raced past the others and did my best to give chase. He held out and reached the top of the first climb first. The rest were not far behind with new guy Phil keeping up really well. A nice fast run back to the crossroads and heading for the next big hill. I sat on Alan's wheel this time and picked my moment to go past. Well, I can't let him get both king of the hills!!!
All regrouped in the car park but again not too much hanging around before we pushed on for the spin around the loop, Alan and I leading the bunch. Back to the car park and I was impressed to see the others not far behind. We exited the trees and got back to the tow path. I suggested that we skip the Meadows. The majority agreed. Alan made a feeble, half hearted attempt at opposition
Nice run to Shaw's. We all went for the climb up cardiac hill. Everyone got up this easily. On we pushed, down through the trees and up to the track. Regroup and then exited back to the path. Only Alan and I going through the jumps with Alan still walking through the dip at the end. The mud there was solid.
No hanging about we pushed on for home, Alan and I setting the pace, quick but not hectic. Trying to keep the bunch together. Adrian was right on Alan's wheel the whole way home. The rest were tucked in behind. All back for 9:15. Trevor's garmin read 21 miles with temperature of -3.5. Some cold feet and hands among the group. Glad to get home and warm. Great run. Glad we went out. Roll on next week.
We set off along the tow path with Alan and me on the front and a frosting of ice on the path. Thankfully it was only "frosting" and had not glazed over. There was enough grip but we did take it easy on the bends. The pace was steady aiming to keep all the riders together. Hardly anyone else on the path. In total I think we came across one walker and two joggers. We did meet two cyclists at the first pit stop, regular guys in sweat tops and no helmets. There was not much hanging around. We pushed on to the footbridge and crossed over. Nice run along the other side up to the Ring. Trevor N thought his front tyre was going down and had dropped to the back. Stewart and I stopped to check on him. False alarm. The rest were awaiting at the Ring. Raymund lead us across. On down through Nettle Lane, the mud was hardpacked making for a fast descent. Onto the road and heading for Shaw's. Great run up through Shaw's to the trees. Great run through here, ground so hard it felt like tarmac. I was at the back of the group as we headed for the first hill. Alan was well out in front. I didn't want to leave him on his own so I raced past the others and did my best to give chase. He held out and reached the top of the first climb first. The rest were not far behind with new guy Phil keeping up really well. A nice fast run back to the crossroads and heading for the next big hill. I sat on Alan's wheel this time and picked my moment to go past. Well, I can't let him get both king of the hills!!!
All regrouped in the car park but again not too much hanging around before we pushed on for the spin around the loop, Alan and I leading the bunch. Back to the car park and I was impressed to see the others not far behind. We exited the trees and got back to the tow path. I suggested that we skip the Meadows. The majority agreed. Alan made a feeble, half hearted attempt at opposition
Nice run to Shaw's. We all went for the climb up cardiac hill. Everyone got up this easily. On we pushed, down through the trees and up to the track. Regroup and then exited back to the path. Only Alan and I going through the jumps with Alan still walking through the dip at the end. The mud there was solid.
No hanging about we pushed on for home, Alan and I setting the pace, quick but not hectic. Trying to keep the bunch together. Adrian was right on Alan's wheel the whole way home. The rest were tucked in behind. All back for 9:15. Trevor's garmin read 21 miles with temperature of -3.5. Some cold feet and hands among the group. Glad to get home and warm. Great run. Glad we went out. Roll on next week.
