Last night on the tow path - 24 March 2011

[manuel6b2]

Last night on the tow path before we change over to our Thursday night club league.

Meet at the back of the Civic Centre in Lisburn at 6:45 pm.

8 confirmed so far + me!

[manuel6b2]

Great final night.
Kyle, Adrian, Phil, Trevor N, Peter S and I met at the Civic Centre where we were joined by David and Stewart (the (ex)-biker boys). Dennis and Alan went out for 2-up training on the road bikes instead. Davy Y met us at Shaw's after getting a puncture shortly after leaving the house. Peter S only got to the steel bridge before turning back with gear issues again.

Great evening, bright, initially warm but with no cloud cover the temperature soon fell. The cold mist coming off the river on the way home didn't help either.

Over the footbridge and onto the Ring. Great run through here. After nettle lane we headed along the road back towards Shaw's. Adrian and I on the front but I was expecting an attack. Kyle came rushing past with Trevor N on his wheel. Kyle acted as a lead out man for Trevor. I jumped off the front and got round Kyle but I ran out of room to catch Trevor. Well, he has to win one now and again

Met Davy Y under the bridge. All headed to the trees. Davy Y offered to take us on a different route. We agreed however the route was very rooty and muddy. Trevor N was not happy We did have to walk a lot of this section. Finally back out to the main path where service (and speed) was resumed. Hammered towards the car park then off for a nice loop around this. Back to the car park then back through the trees to the tow path. Davy Y was struggling but, as usual, kept up really well. A quick run through the Meadows, me leading off with Kyle chasing hard. Adrian at the rear checking no one was getting dropped.

All back to the path for a brisk return to Shaw's bridge. All up cardiac hill with only a brief rest before we pushed on for the trees, passing the shadow men and down the descent, Phil zipping past me like a downhiller

Up to the track, we gathered in the car park when new guy Stewart's rear tyre when 'bang!'. Puncture fixed we headed for the BMX jumps and the exit through the dip. Most made it, New Davy got held up by Adrian who exited successfully.

Kyle and I went to the front for a steady run back to Lisburn but Trevor N was having none of our tricks and pushed past. He blasted off into the distance. We didn't chase. We kept our pace fairly quick. Trevor was not seen until the car park at Lisburn. The rest of our group stayed together. On the final run in I was up beside New Stewart. I wasn't sure if there was going to be any attacks so I just kept riding beside New Stewart. Then Adrian starts coming past, shouting at his gears which wouldn't change up. I gave chase but got to the front again easily but with the lights in sight I felt the other main threats coming through, Kyle and Phil. I floored it sprinting for the arches and got through first. It turns out Kyle and Phil were more or less cancelling each other out with neither getting the space to get around me (thankfully!!!).

Great night. I'm gonna miss these. Road stuff starts next Thursday with our 2-ups starting at Spa Lake.

[torchy]

I enjoyed last night despite the WW1 trench section ;D

For me it has been a great mtb winter experience and one that i'll be returning to when the runs start up again. Its been good to meet some new friends and try some off-road stuff without having to risk my neck in the process - a nice blend for newbies.

Thought last night that the best way to win a sprint is to have no-one left to sprint against

see you all soon.

Trev

[adrian]

Agreed, the Tow Path runs have been fairly successful with numerous people coming and going over the weeks and a good bit of banter from the regulars...contrary to what the haters say.
Thanks to all involved my fitness is coming along and who knows, maybe someone else can patrol the back of the pack next time

A few of us have planned to keep the MTB stuff going during the week - cutting out the tow path sections and keeping to the off-road and you're more than welcome to come along. They will probably start week after next from Shaws Bridge car park.

Cheers
Adrian