Post by manuel6b on Feb 23, 2024 12:21:22 GMT 1
Just 3 out tonight. Dennis, Alan and me. A cold night with clear skies and an almost full moon. We had a tail wind heading down the tow path towards Belfast. Just a few other people out. Over the Gilchrist bridge and heading towards Giant's Ring with Dennis leading - well off the front! His turbo sessions are paying dividend. Around the ring, heading to Ronan's way with Dennis' bike making some strange noises. Down through the trees with me taking the shortcut again. From Minnowburn we then headed to Belvior. The usual nasty climbs got us to the car park. We then decided to try out the adventure way to the Lagan Gateway Bridge again. Still very muddy but we got through this section much quicker than before. Back onto the path and headed to Shaw's Bridge. Into the forest to connect to the MTB trails. The trails are now open again around the running track so we continued on the trails. Dennis had forgotten his helmet light and was sticking close to me to see the trail. Exit to Malone Road, cross over to Lady Dixon Park. A speedy run through here and dropped back to the tow path. Head wind on the way home. Dennis and I initially on the front. Alan then came through to take the wind and we rode in a line close behind him trying to avoid puddle splash back. Dennis took over the head of the line in the final section back to the Civic Centre. A great night out. No hanging about. For me, going from door to door, it was a 40 km / 25 mile trip. Hope to do it again next week.