Tow path 28 Nov 2013

[manuel6b]

Graham, Garry, Colin and I are heading down the tow path tonight. Others are very welcome. Meet at 6:45 behind Civic Centre. Kick off at 7 pm.

[manuel6b]

The four of us gathered at the Civic Centre with Colin the last to arrive. We set off down the tow path on a mild evening with light rain and little wind. Colin and I were up front. I was on my CX bike again and the pace was good. I felt a lot better than last week. At the footbridge we all crossed over. I let the dogs (Garry and Graham) go off first (they were itching to blast) but before Colin and I set off a random cyclist appeared and went after the two dogs ahead. I took off after them but these 3 were motoring. I had thought that we had discussed skipping the Ring and heading on down to Minnowburn but this isn't what happened. I ended up alone at Minnowburn, the other 4 went around the ring. I thought I could go by road to hook up with them but the road I took didn't go that way. A quick phone call and we all met up in Minnowburn again. Garry and Graham up front again, Colin and I behind, random stranger now departed. We headed into the trees. I struggled up the climbs but we regrouped before the first short hill. There was no waiting around at the gate. The boys were anxious to keep going. We set off towards Vomit Hill. I was in front with Graham. I got out of the saddle to give it a blast but it wasn't long before the other three went past me. Up in the car park there was again no waiting. All go tonight! We set off around the loop with me at the back. Happily Garry lead them the wrong way (traditional route!) and I managed to nip ahead and get to the top of one of the short climbs first. (Victory at last!) We regrouped and headed back to the car park. I was last again getting back and again there was no waiting. At this point I'll fill some back story about by CX bike. I've known for a few weeks that the back brake pads were worn. I haven't had time to fix them. I was therefore happily relying on my front rim brakes only. However, these had now worn quit badly to the point where I was not so much braking as losing momentum by stop pedaling early enough not to need brakes (and the occasion use of the sole of my shoe). Going down Vomit Hill I had the brakes on fully but managed to shoot past the right hander by 10+ metres. Not great stopping distance. We set off along the river side and back to the tow path. We skipped the Lagan Meadowns run and went instead back to Shaw's bridge and the trails. At the bottom of Cardiac Hill the 3 lads were happily chatting among themselves. I quietly nipped away and started to climb the hill. At Pain Tree I looked back and their lights were some way off. I pushed on and got to the top first. Cheating I suppose but a wins a win ;-) We gathered up quickly as there were a few shadow men about, one with a dog who he kept shouting at.

We headed around the trails taking the red route switch back climb. All good no incidents. We gathered up at the trail head but instead of going around again Colin took us through Lady Dixon park and down to the tow path at the bridge.

Garry and Colin were up front doing the pace work for me and Graham. The tow path had very few walkers on it. The pace was good. At Lambeg Colin and I left the other two and headed home.

The bookies would like to know the outcome of the sprint?
Graham / Garry???

;-)


A great night. I'm looking forward to next Thursday already.

[Graham B]

The "bookies" will be disappointed to hear there was no sprint. After a steady 16mph slog into a light headwind from Lambeg, my legs were starting to feel tired, so i have no doubt Garry would have won anyway!

Another varied and enjoyable spin, in mild and relatively dry conditions. Fair play to you Martin for making it round with practically no brakes!