Tow Path Run 27/10/11

[colinr]

Snorkel and flippers might be required ...

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[colinr]

... and another ...

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[adrian]

EEk! After last years escapades might be wise to skip? Was this the whole way along or just in some parts?

[colinr]

I got as far as the Coke Factory. It was easily over a foot deep and moving quite fast.

At Lady Dixon's part of the path was under about 3 feet of water.

[manuel6b]

We should meet then head for the hills

[barryvankellett]

What hills?!

[adrian]

I passed the bridge where we take the first stop and you couldn't see the tow path ffs

[colinr]

its worser
you couldn't see the fence this morning

[adrian]

Do you cycle down the tow path to work? How far down can you get before you you're wading?

Wondering if its worth (assuming some sort of run is happening tomorrow night?) to start from Shaws Bridge? Could start there, head for the metal bridge, giants ring and onward and then on the way back do the UXC course through Lady Dixon. Would get us close to the mileage and although muddy we could bypass the techie bits for those who don't want to...

[colinr]

Well you could wade through the stuff at the coke factory but at Lady D's it's not possible. It's actually been taped off to stop the foolish giving it a go.

I haven't been to Shaw's Bridge or that area but guys in here who go running that way at lunchtime have had to cut their runs short because of the water.

[torchy]

so is the run on guys???

surely the floods must have subsided a bit by now???

Trev

[adrian]

Where's our resident weather man Colin

Trevor, I haven't heard from Martin but the general consensus is we aren't wading through water. If the levels have gone done, then game on - we do the full run. But if its still blocked on most of the main sections, then the proposal is to start at Shaw's Bridge and do the remaining loop. This cuts off about 12 miles of the loop (a significant chunk) but you could extend it by going off-road - not huge drop-offs, just across grass and through trees. This might put some people off so we're relying on the weather man .

[colinr]

LOL

I didn't take the bike this morning so I have no idea if the waters have subsided. anyone got a spare dove we could send out?

I texted Martin who suggested just meeting at usual place and working out a route from just around the coke factory, which would involve *gasp* roads!

[torchy]

well ill start from Shaws and see if i can make it up to Lisburn for 7. Its glorious outside so lets hope the river calms down a bit.

[manuel6b]

We weren't sure what to expect on the tow path run last night. The path had been closed earlier in the week with high water levels. We had no idea how far we would get before hitting water. It was dry and had been dry all day.

Just 5 of us had gathered up to give it a go. Raymund, John S, Gibson, Colin and me. Trevor ‘Torchy’ had the cunning plan of starting at Shaw’s bridge and cycling up to us. We would then know if the route was clear. We got our bikes ready, I was on a loan bike from Derek at Cyclezone, as we chatted about possible alternative routes. Then Torchy appeared with news that the path was clear, a bit muddy but no water.

Great! So off went the 6 of us. Colin and I were initally on the front until our first stop at Lady Dixon then Raymund joined me at the head of the troop. I was looking down at the loaned bike I was on wondering what was wrong with it as I was struggling to keep up with Raymund. His pace was fairly brisk!

We crossed over the footbridge and headed up towards the Ring. Nice run up through here. Down neetle lane which was very slippery then down the road towards Minnowburn with Torchy not shooting past us this time.

Run along towards Shaw’s and on down to the trees. Very little time spent stopped as the 6 of us were keeping close together. The shouts for ‘all up’ from the back came very quickly. Up the gravel climb and down the fast descent. I was leading. Up ahead I saw something on the path. I braked hard and indicated for Torchy to slow up as well. Standing in the middle of the path with its back to us was a stag !! Majestic it was. It took off through the trees on the right hand side. That was definitely a first for me. I’ve seen countless numbers of rabbits, squirrels, mice, rats, foxes etc on these tow path runs but that was the first stag I ever, almost, bumped into. What must animals think when they hear the approaching sound of MTB tires on gravel???

We pushed on up and around the first loop before then heading to the big climb up to the car park. John S was on my right and was keeping up well on the approach. On my own bike I would know what gear to be in but on the one I had, a 2 x 9 set up, I was a bit out-of-sorts. As the incline kicked in John lifted his pace and I struggled to keep up. That’s the second week in a row I haven’t made it up this climb first.

Short stop in the car park before we pushed on around the loop. I was leading (again!) and missed John S having a reported spectatular crash taking out a few riders as well. ;D No harm done. All back on board and caught up with me as I waited on the path above. I managed to stay ahead of John for the climb back up to the car park. Another short rest and we were off again. Back onto the tow path we headed for Stranmillis then turned and headed through the Meadows. Great run through here. Bumped into John B, Smoff and PhilO at the exit to the tow path. Quick chat before we pushed on again. Colin and I were back on the front. Controlled pace. Torchy left us at Shaw’s. The rest of us took on cardiac hill. No rest at the top, straight on down to the trees passing only one shadow man. Great run through here up past the track and down past the BMX jumps. Raymund skipped these. I got out through the mud. The others had fun on the slippery surface. All pushing on again. Colin and I on front again to keep the pace stead. At Lambeg John S and Gibson went through. These two then took off. To us three who remained together the red lights on the bikes ahead got very quickly further and further away. Turns out it was Gibson who made the move on John S. Raymund and I were just ahead of Colin. We kept the pace quick but steady on the way back. I was expecting to finish in this formation but as we approached the arches the old dog Raymund decided to have a go for third place. I found myself racing a 67 year old man for the arches!!! “Life in the old dog yet” he said. Not half!!

All back for 9:25, 23 odd mile done. Great night. Temperature just starting to drop after the BMX jumps but the night was dry and clear. Looking forward to next week.