Tow path 20 Oct 2011

[manuel6b]

Tow path run on again tomorrow night starting from the Civic Centre at 7 pm sharp.

Let me know if you are coming along.

[manuel6b]

5 confirmed for tonight + me.

1 cry off and 1 possible.

[manuel6b]

Wet night on the tow path. We still managed to get 7 out. Dennis and Alan, Kyle and Adrian, Davy Y and the return of Trevor "Torchy" N. It was steady rain when we arrived. Got ready, mounted up and headed off. Adrian and I on the front. Tow path very quiet, probably because of the rain. Steady pace right down to the footbridge. I took the turn too sharply and my front tyre washed out on the first step. Had to run up the steps. It was still raining. Gathered up quickly on the other side and headed off towards the Ring. Met Glenn K and Brian S coming the opposite way. Pushed on up to and over the Ring. No crashes tonight. Alan had set off first and Adrian gave an unenthuastic 'go' to set the rest of us off. Out the other side and down nettle lane. Very slippery. Had to wait as Davy Y took off his socks to wring out the water

We set off then down the road with Torchy shooting off to be first to the turn. He sneaks up silently for a big guy!

Quick run along the path under Shaw's bridge and then down into the trees. Still raining. Visibility very poor. We still cracked on through the dark and up along the climbs. Dennis was coaching Kyle on when and how to attack the hills. On the big one up to the car park it was Alan and I on the front and I was taking my lead/pace off Alan. Kyle got the jump on me and made it up the climb first. Davy Y had bailed at this point as he was freezing, soaked and starting to feel unwell.

The rest of us went around the loop, back to the car park and then exited the trees. My front tyre washed out again on the bridge. Nice cut to shin from the pedal

Instead of turning right towards Stranmillis the consensus was to head back. Dennis and I were on the front. At Shaw's Torchy turned to head home. The 5 remaining went up cardiac hill. We didn't wait around long at the top before pushing on. No shadow men out tonight. Quick run through the trees with Adrian and I both having issues with the lack of brakes. On up to the track. Dennis and Adrian skipped the BMX jumps run. I took the dip slightly quicker than I wanted as my brakes were more 'momentum reducers' than 'sudden stoppers'. Got out ok. Alan had to walk it. Kyle took a strange route down and out.

Dennis and I then lead off again, steady pace. Close to the end Alan wanted through us so he could keep working on his fitness. Dennis and I were not up for a sprint so we moved apart to let Kyle and Adrian through to catch Alan. Which they did.

All back for just after 9. 21 odd mile done. Still raining. Glad I went out but also glad to get back home.

Looking forward to next week. Hoping for less rain

[colinr]

that was a horrendous night for being on the bike.
I finally left the house just after 7:30. Tipping it down but I needed to get out and I was all kitted out so no point wasting it

Headed down the Ballyskeagh Road thinking I might see you lot at Shaw's Bridge but you were obviously much quicker than i expected. I waited a while but you must have been long gone. Absolutely frozen and wet so just headed back home.

Fingers crossed for a better evening next week.