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Post by Graham B on Nov 2, 2014 22:34:15 GMT 1
Our weekly "Towpath & Trails" MTB night rides start again this Thursday (6th Nov). For those who aren't aware of the format, we meet at Lisburn Civic Centre, setting off at 7pm in the direction of Belfast. The routes vary slightly from week to week, but generally the format is a brisk paced spin down the towpath before tackling some of the bridleways over to the Giants ring, then Belvoir forest, then exploring a few of the singletrack trails at Barnetts Demesne and spinning back down the towpath to Lisburn. The total distance is typically 20-25 miles, and usually takes no more than 2 hours. Decent front lights essential!!
Post here if you are coming, or have any questions!
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Post by colinr on Nov 6, 2014 9:33:16 GMT 1
Not this week. Still not got rid of this cough would never keep up with you lot
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Post by Graham B on Nov 6, 2014 16:34:53 GMT 1
Weather forecast for this evening is atrocious - Amber weather warning for heavy rain in Co. Down and Co Antrim - so we have decided to cancel tonights towpath ride. We will try again next week! That'll give enough time for Colin and Martin to get rid of their colds... and their excuses  |
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Post by Graham B on Nov 12, 2014 9:44:02 GMT 1
OK, hopefully the rain will ease up enough tomorrow evening to allow us to finally get out on the first towpath run this Thursday (13th).
Details as per original post above^^^
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Post by petrfd on Nov 12, 2014 21:44:30 GMT 1
If i can get down i would be up for going tomorrow.
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Post by barryvankellett on Nov 13, 2014 8:50:07 GMT 1
Heard from XMTBers out last night that the towpath required speedos for the section round by Lady Dixon. Knee deep before abandoning.
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Post by Graham B on Nov 13, 2014 9:35:21 GMT 1
Thanks Barry. More heavy rain forecast for today; I guess we're going to have to cancel again  |
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Post by barryvankellett on Nov 13, 2014 10:55:04 GMT 1
Thanks Barry. More heavy rain forecast for today; I guess we're going to have to cancel again There are plenty of short quiet road options available to skip out sections but it would be handy to know what sections are to be avoided |
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Post by Graham B on Nov 20, 2014 11:19:12 GMT 1
OK folks, after 2 aborted attempts, hopefully it will be 3rd time lucky tonight. The floods have subsided, the forecast is dry and reasonably mild, and hopefull Colin and Martin have got over their colds...  Meet 6.50pm in the usual spot (car park at the end of Canal Street, opposite the front of the Civic Centre). I've got a new toy to try out, so I'll definitely be there |
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Post by Graham B on Nov 20, 2014 15:24:41 GMT 1
Just found out that the Christmas lights are being turned on tonight, so change of meeting point to the bridge at Lambeg (beside old Coke factory).
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Post by petrfd on Nov 20, 2014 19:38:12 GMT 1
Just found out that the Christmas lights are being turned on tonight, so change of meeting point to the bridge at Lambeg (beside old Coke factory). I'll be there graham |
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Post by manuel6b on Nov 21, 2014 9:02:46 GMT 1
Finally we got the tow path runs off the ground for the 2014/2015 season. A warm dry evening with little wind. Just the 3 of us out, Graham (look at my new cyclo-cross bike!!), Peter (first timer to our night runs down the path but decided that using both wheels of his bike was just too boring) and me. We had to meet at Lambeg as the Christmas lights were being turned on at the Civic Centre. We set off just after 7pm. Nice steady run down. Peter on one wheel at times (a bit off-putting to have a wheel appear in your periphery vision! We had planned to cross over at the footbridge, which was just as well as the path was closed beyond it. Headed for Giant's Ring. All lined up for the sprint across the circle. Graham edging to the front on his new steed, a bike length ahead of me, and even got to say 'go'. Needless to say he got across first but Peter was not far behind him. On down through to Minnowburn with Peter using his Enduro skills on the descents. Past Shaw's bridge and into the tree area (well there used to be trees here!!). Now it looks more like a war zone. Tree disease = tree felling and on a big scale. So sad. A good run through here with Graham racing off up vomit ridge. The usual route around the loop has been well cut up from heavy forestry equipment. I made it back to the car park first (helped in no small part by the fact that the other two were not sure where they were going and left me to navigate and lead  Back to the path and headed back towards Lisburn. At Shaw's we headed up Cardiac Hill. I got up first (for the reason given above!) A few shadowy creatures around as usual. Got onto the trail. Nice spin around here. We stopped when Graham ended up with a broken spoke. He was enjoying the trail centre with no suspension. Headed out of Mary Peter's and through Lady Dixon. Back to the tow path for a steady ride back to Lambeg. Returned for 8:55. Nature count - 7 rabbits (one who wouldn't get out of my way as we headed towards the Ring) and one mouse. A great mild evening. Hopefully we will get lots more like this and more riders out with us. |
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Meet 6.50pm in the usual spot (car park at the end of Canal Street, opposite the front of the Civic Centre). 
