Great night last night on the tow path. Another mild evening. We are really spoiled. I can only imagine what kind of wintery pain we are in for...!
Big turn out too. Alan, Dennis, Adrian, Kyle, Raymund, Phil G, Martin, Colin, Gibson and with the return of Davy Y and Pete made 12 of us. We set off at 2 minutes to 7 with Kyle and me on the front. There were a few walkers out and with the big lights on they were very good at keeping to one side. We passed one chap who looked a bit dazed by the lights but did turn away from them. He looked a bit lost. We thought nothing more.
We pushed on at a nice steady speed. At the bridge at Lady Dixon there were two police officers standing. They were on the hunt for a man who they were concerned for the safety of, someone who had left home at 2:30 and was still walking. He seemed to match the description of the guy we dazzled back towards Lisburn so hopefully he was picked up and returned home.
On we went, crossed the footbridge, gathered up and I lead the squad on towards the Ring. We lined up as usual for the sprint across to the other side. Adrian said 'go', we went but half way across there was a pile up. Gibson and Alan collided. Alan went down. Hit his elbow, on the side he fell on at the Harry Ferguson
Luckily it was just a tingling sensation in his arm. He managed to get back on the bike and then off we went again. Exit park, down nettle lane and then along the road to Minnowburn. Alan out in front. Turned into Minnowburn and along the tow path and into the trees. Good push through here. Seen lots of other bikes around. Spin up the hill, round the loop and off towards vomit hill up to the car park. Kyle pushing hard up the climb but I had the 'jump' on him.
In the car park Phil stopped to pump up his shocks before we set off again around the car park loop. Fast spin. Dennis leading for the second half and back up towards the car park. I was tucked in behind Dennis but Kyle nipped past me to finish just behind him. I waiting at the top of the hill to check we had not lost anyone. Phil came up the hill with no lights on. His battery was flat. He had a small spare torch but nothing to fix it to the bike with. I had a hunt in my rucksack and came up with 3 elastic bands. Blue Peter job. Off we went again.
Back to the tow path we met Trevor A. He was just returning from work. We also bumped into Jonny Bogues out on his cross bike. Him and Smorf were trying out some cross training by running up the steps 10 times with bikes on their shoulders!!!
Dennis and Pete went back to Lisburn with Trevor. The remaining 10 of us pushed on for Stranmillis. I was at the back with Raymund who was just off the pace. We turned and headed through the Meadows. Great sprint through here. I managed to weave my way up to the front. All got through quickly and safely.
On we pushed for Shaw's bridge. All up Cardiac Hill. I was last up but went straight to the front to lead the group up past the shadow men and then through the trees to the running track. We all headed then for the BMX jumps and the famous 'dip'. I got through ok, Kyle got through, Martin, Colin and Davy Y got through, Phil G shot down like a true downhiller!!
All up and heading for home. Nice steady run back to the steel bridge. I wanted to see others take the lead up front and called for Raymund and Gibson to come forward. Raymund declined but Gibson came up and then shot off
Kyle and I took chase and it was a devil of a job to catch up with him to ask him to 'whoo horse'. The group was well strung out but we regathered and pushed on. The pace was high and it kept getting higher as we neared Lisburn. I dropped back a bit to see if everyone was there. In the middle of the group was Raymund M going strong.
With the pace rising the group split in half with Gibson, Alan, Adrian, Kyle, Martin and me jockeying for position at the front. By the time we hit the last bridge Alan was leading on the left when Kyle went through on the right. Kyle then went in front of Alan which left me a clear path on the right to burst into. Which I did. Floored it. Heard Adrian shouting for Kyle to catch me. Kyle was catching up but I had the jump on him and managed to keep the lead to the arches. Busted!
Back around 9:25. Great run. Super evening. Some strong rides out by all the lads. Can't wait until next week. Many thanks guys.
Luckily it was just a tingling sensation in his arm. He managed to get back on the bike and then off we went again. Exit park, down nettle lane and then along the road to Minnowburn. Alan out in front. Turned into Minnowburn and along the tow path and into the trees. Good push through here. Seen lots of other bikes around. Spin up the hill, round the loop and off towards vomit hill up to the car park. Kyle pushing hard up the climb but I had the 'jump' on him.