Tow path 17-02-11

[manuel6b2]

Tow path run on tonight. Meet 6:45 at Civic Centre.

5 confirmed so far + me.

[manuel6b2]

Super night out on tow path. We had Kyle, Adrian, Peter S, Trevor N, Davy Y and me. Set off at 7:05, nice evening, still, not too cold. Lots of puddles on the path but few walkers. Trevor N and I were leading the pack. Trevor pleased his bottom bracket was fixed in time (he had split the last one!!). The pace was pretty high.

Over the footbridge and Peter S decided to call it a day. He hadn't recovered fully from sickness. And then there were 5.
We pushed on for the Ring. Great run round here. No punctures. I was pushing hard at the front to make sure Kyle didn't catch me. Across the Ring then down nettle lane (even more slippery). Back to Shaw's then on to the trees. Nice run through here too. Kyle was out front but went off the wrong way. There was no one left for the sprint up the first hill. I was pushing from the front, feeling good. Adrian was getting dropped on the way towards the big hill. I had went back to check on him. All ok but that left Kyle clear to attack the climb. I did race after him but he was too close to the top to catch. NIce spin around the loop. All keeping close together. Full moon out. Perfect evening.

Back to the car park and Davy Y was beginning to flag and talked about heading back. We talked him round and he followed us towards Stranmillis. We turned and headed through the Meadows using Adrian's pass to avoid the gate. A great burst through the dips at the Meadows. I was enjoying these. All back to the tow path for another quick run back to Shaw's. We all headed up cardiac hill. At the top we heard shouts from the grassy area on the hill. Lots of swearing. It was a football club out training with a coach in the distance shouting at them. They didn't seem to having half as much fun as we were.

On through the trees and around the running track. Only Kyle and I took on the BMX jumps and exit dip. Very muddy. We both cleared it. Adrian didn't try it as he is too shy and didn't want to show off his talents ;D

Another fast run back towards home. Trevor N was powering past me at the front but I managed to reel him in. Trevor and I had built up a big gap to the others. We waited at Hilden. Davy Y left here.

Trevor and I then kept the lead on the next stretch. Under the bridge with the Civic Centre in sight Trevor and I were running level, not looking at each other, not talking, just pumping the legs. Trevor had left a gap to his right where I knew Kyle would be coming through. I waited and waited and waited. Finally it happened. Kyle shot past Trevor on his right then cut over to the left. I immediately jumped onto Kyle's wheel and then round him. I buried it. Full sprint for home. Great final run in. 24 odd miles on the clock. Back for 9:15. Super night. Really enjoyed that. Fingers crossed I can keep this form for the racing next week (MTB).