Towpath 6 Oct 2011

[manuel6b]

Tow path run on again tomorrow night. I think the good weather may have gone by then but we'll still be out

So far we have
2 definites
1 hopeful
1 weather watcher
3 cry offs
and me!!

[manuel6b]

It looked like is was going to be a really wet and windy night on the tow path especially around 4pm when the rain was bouncing outside our house and the wind was knocking over the garden furniture. Colin cried off after being soaked going to work and soaked coming home and didn't fancy a third soaking in one day. Don't blame him!

So I headed down around 6:45 knowing that Kyle would definitely be there (and he was, already!). John S said he would be down with a friend but I wasn't convinced, but he did come along with his mate Gibson. Then Dennis showed up and he said Alan was coming. I didn't believe him, but Alan did show up, the only one in shorts!! Great to see him out again on his bike. Stewart hoped to make it along tonight but didn't sound sure but he showed up as well. In total there were 7 of us. No rain and barely any wind to talk about.

We set off at 7 sharp with Alan and I leading the bunch. Nice steady pace with what felt like a slight tail wind. Over the footbridge and along the far side with me leading (new headlight on, nice job, thanks Neill C). Alan was starting to struggle after being off the bike for nearly 2 months.

Up around the Ring with our newly established race across the centre. Fun!
Down nettle lane with a few slips and slides. Along the road with no mad fool trying to sprint off (Adrian's celebrating his birthday in London ).

Along the river and into the trees. Great spin through here. Those hills are tough especially on those who were doing this run for the first time (ever / this season). Dennis was strong tonight after his pre-winter training session in France!!

Around the loop and back to the car park, Alan and the rest of the trail quest team "The Losers" decided to call it a day and headed back for the car park. That left Kyle, John S, Gibson and me. We pushed on for Stranmillis then turned for the Meadows. Quick run through here before setting off back down the tow path towards Shaw's bridge. I introduced 'cardiac hill' to John S and Gibson before we all set off climbing up it. Didn't hang about too long at the top. Pushed on for the trees. Turning down the slope with the ditch on the RHS, Kyle was too far left and went on his rear. No harm. All off again up to the track. The off-road bits were very slippery but we still headed down through the BMX jumps and attempted the exit through the dip. I got out ok, John S went for it but got stuck which held up Gibson. Kyle took the wrong line in and headed for the tree.

All off then at a good steady pace back to Lisburn. No sprint at the end as,...well,..... I couldn't be bothered. Kyle just needed Adrian or Alan or Dennis there and we all would have went.

Back for 9:15. Great night. Roll on next week.