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Post by frostythesnowman on Oct 19, 2007 11:29:49 GMT 1
Yesterday was the second great week of MTB riding along the lagan towpath, with 12 enjoying the craic.
The fun kicked of with a search around the old grave yard for deeks computer, lost last week when he crashed into me, should learn not to follow me to closely.
At 7pm Trevor, Stewart & Friend started off first expecting to be quickly caught by the flying squad of Darren, Davy, Deek, Gary, Gray, Gary Gibson, Ross, Noel, Willie Mulligan and of course Ronnie, with a flat tyre.
Trevor turned and when on alone around the Giants Ring and Belvoir Forest, before my lights faded. [Must find my charger or get new lights!] Headed for Lisburn, back at 8.50.
Gary, Darren and Davy took the round turn in belvoir and they did not catch the rest until Lagan Meadows.
Then back over Barnetts Park & Mary Peters Track, before the high speed chase back to the Lisburn Island Center.
The Tow path gates have now all be removed, so the flow it not interrupted. With half of the Giants ring path strimmed it was in superb condition.
A great nights craic and quite mild when moving.
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Post by manuel6b on Nov 2, 2007 10:03:33 GMT 1
Another great night on the tow path with 14 out, mostly Dromara riders but with a few friends including Scuba Steve. Well done Scuba !!
A very mild night given that it was the 1st November. So mild in fact that at least 2 riders were wearing shorts !!!
Looking forward to next week!!
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Post by Deek on Nov 3, 2007 22:13:56 GMT 1
Yes, it was an excellant night,only downside was an MTB legend skiving off early with another feeble excuse  And that after not racing last Saturday ;D I hope he makes up for it this Sunday with a win!!! The big question is, are the 20 Mayfair taking their toll?  |
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Post by manuel6b on Nov 8, 2007 22:43:24 GMT 1
Just back in from another excellent night on the tow path. 12 out. It looked like it was going to be rather a wet evening so the decision makers opted for a fast paced run to the Lagan Weir with Lagan Meadows and Barrnets thrown in for good measure on the way back. The weather in the end was not so bad, with just the wind making sure we were working hard enough!!
Looking forward to next week....
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Post by manuel6b on Nov 15, 2007 23:40:12 GMT 1
"Isn't this a great night for the bike" - was quoted many times this evening, and indeed it was. 9 out and this 'odd' number may have mysteriously caused some 'odd' problems including my rear wheel puncture which happened before we had even reached the narrow metal bridge, then later the lead between my battery and big light came apart and I went from 'well lit' to 'pitch black'. Full anchors on.....!!  Deek came back to look for me. Glad he did as I needed his light to find the two cables. Then after a great run through Belvoir forest, it was a pit stop for another cyclist to fix a wobbly saddle. With these hold ups we skipped the Barnett's park section and just hammered home instead. Great night out ! Roll on next week. |
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Post by manuel6b on Nov 23, 2007 0:20:33 GMT 1
9 set off from Lagan Island on a cold November night. The pace was steady but with a good tempo. We passed through Belvoir forest which was much milder. My chain got stuck between the middle and granny ring. BL supplied the light to get it sorted. The chain continued 'jumping' and locking but thankfully held. We skipped the giants ring loop as it was pretty mucky last week and tonight it would have been worse. Instead we headed for the ever challenging Lagan Meadows (which I got a better run at tonight) then on to the big climb up to Barnetts. We had a couple of big crashes tonight. One followed nicely after the call for "mind the rutt" and another spectacular one from BL going through the BMX bumps when he decided to go off the beaten track and did a nice flip over when he went into a large hole. Thankfully both riders managed to continue. A good brisk pace back along the tow path to the bright lights of the Civic Centre. 24 on the clock I was told. I will unfortunately not be there next week as I am on 'daddy' duty (which also means I miss out on the Christmas dinner)  Have a good 'un. Maybe someone else will post a report next week |
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Post by Ross on Nov 30, 2007 12:10:00 GMT 1
9 eejits out in the rain last night. ;)Went to waterfront and back.  ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by Deek on Dec 6, 2007 23:46:30 GMT 1
10 out tonight. Dry but windy on the way out but a few comments of how the weather was soon sorted that out and the rain came on ;D
A few minor mechanicals and 1 puncture.A bit wet wet wet but steady.
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Post by manuel6b on Dec 13, 2007 23:13:56 GMT 1
Lovely dry night, 9 out. We were delayed setting off due to an accident on the Lisburn Road towards Ballynahinch. Left around 7:25. Didn't get far up the road before myself and another rider had simultaneous punctures. Finally got going again about 7:35. I'm not sure if it was the delayed start or the beginning of the 'ramping it up' stage but the pace was pretty quick. We skipped Belvoir but headed for Lagan Meadows then a fast sprint to Barrnets Demesne. Noel then picked up a puncture just past Malone House. Another delay. Quickly out of the forest and back to the tow path. I was at the back of the 7 man group but was struggling to keep up. Not sure if it was a result of mechanical trouble with the bike or my recent lack of sleep but even though my legs were spinning my energy was dwindling  . Before long the 6 inch gap between me and the last rider became 6 feet, then 60 feet, 60 metres then well over 6 minutes back. No blame on the guys in the group. One minute I was there, the next I was gone! Roll on next week 'til I have another crack at keeping up. ;D |
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Post by manuel6b on Dec 20, 2007 13:07:37 GMT 1
I'm not able to make it out tonight (head cold, sore throat, bike lying upside down in my garage under repair) Pity, as it looks like it is going to be quite a nice night for cycling. Hopefully someone will put up a post to give us all something to read. Have fun !!  |
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Post by Deek on Dec 21, 2007 22:53:55 GMT 1
Yes Manuel it was an excellant night but a bit cold. 8 of us headed for the Giants Ring, which was in super nick then Belvoir, the Meadows and Barnett's with a slightly different route which Ronnie showed us. A few lights were playing up and a near miss at the borrom of the BMX run but still a good night. Only felt the chill when on the towpath.
No tow path next week but resumes on the 3rd.
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Post by manuel6b on Jan 4, 2008 23:12:28 GMT 1
Got the bike loaded on the car last night, lovely fresh evening, cold but dry. Went inside for a final call of nature. Heard the sound of hail on the window. Went outside. The ground was white but it had stopped. Left babysitter home. No snow towards Dumurry. Decided to head on to the Civic Centre. As I went along the Belfast Road the snow started. I thought 'oh oh'. Then as I got to the Maxol station there was a flash of lighting and all the street lights, house lights, traffic lights went out. I thought, 'This doesn't look good'. As I came down the hill (Queen's Road) I looked across at the Civic Centre. All was dark except for the emergency lights on in the building. The car had a little slide at the bottom of the hill but I got across Union Bridge and headed into the Council grounds. No other tyre tracks in the snow. I got there for 6:55. All alone in the snow. I rung home to see if the lights were on in our house. They were. I left at 7:05 and gingerly made my way through the junctions without traffic lights. When I went up the Belsize Road all was fine. Street lights were on, traffic lights were on, house lights were on and Christmas lights were twinkling. Got home for 7:15. Disappointed not to have got out but glad to be back without incident. Got up today and looked outside. No chance of getting to work so I stayed home and built a 6ft snowman in the back garden with the kids! ;D Hope to see you all next Thursday (weather permitting!!) |
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Post by scubasteve on Jan 6, 2008 23:31:57 GMT 1
See Cyclo cross section before you guys head out this week......
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Post by manuel6b on Jan 7, 2008 0:04:59 GMT 1
Stevie, Thanks for the 'heads up' on that one. What we might need is a guide on Thursday night, someone who knows the route well and knows the obstacles.......You for example.  How about you come down on Thursday and lead the way? |
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Post by scubasteve on Jan 7, 2008 9:21:34 GMT 1
Marty i would love to, but i do circut training on thursday nights now. but free any other night :-) its the only night the public circuts are on i am afraid. Dont want to be giving all my training secerts away now lol ;-)
All i can say riding the tow path yesterday was rough. between 0.5 - 1 inch thick ice and trees down i eneded up riding back home from shaws bridge on the road and took a chance with the nutters in cars :-)
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Deek came back to look for me. Glad he did as I needed his light to find the two cables. Then after a great run through Belvoir forest, it was a pit stop for another cyclist to fix a wobbly saddle. With these hold ups we skipped the Barnett's park section and just hammered home instead. Great night out ! Roll on next week.
. Before long the 6 inch gap between me and the last rider became 6 feet, then 60 feet, 60 metres then well over 6 minutes back. No blame on the guys in the group. One minute I was there, the next I was gone! 
