Tow path 17 Nov 2011

[manuel6b]

Looks like it might be a damp one tonight

[manuel6b]

Quiet affair last night on the tow path. The earlier heavy rain probably put a lot off but by the evening time the rain had left and the night was very mild if a tad windy. Just the 3 of us at the Civic Centre, Stewart, Colin and me. We met Torchy down the tow path as he had a puncture before he even started. I had a new steed out tonight. First run was good but I was getting niggling pains in my knees, legs, hips etc. I knew the set up was not right but it is difficult to fix along the path.

Steady run to the steel bridge, then onto the footbridge. I had nicely forgotten to charge my lights so I was down to one candle / lumin along the path when the others were not about. Lots of other cycling groups out. Great to see.

Good run up to the Ring, no racing across it today. Colin got a puncture which we stopped to fix at the far side of the Ring. All off again. I was leading into needle run and with my lights it was a blind run! I hit something hard and the bike rolled over it. Turned out it was an empty bottle of vodka. Wisely Torchy stopped to throw it out of the way. I seen nothing....

Along the road to Minnowburn, no racing tonight. Very sensible.

Along the path and down to the trees with Torchy out front. I stopped to fit new batteries into the head torch, improvement, but I had no substitute for the bike light. Stewart went out first and the others set off with me to catch him. Nice run through the first loop and then Stewart and I lifted the pace to climb up to the car park. Nice spin around here as well.

We exited the trees back to the path and I parked my bike in the homeward direction. No one else complained. The stop to fix the puncture had taken time and we decided to push on back. At Shaw's Torchy left us. The rest of us went up Cardiac Hill. Into the tress passing only one shadow + dog. Quick run through here and up to the track. With almost no light left I wasn't for taking on the BMX jumps. All skipped and headed home. Nice steady run. I tucked in behind the other two until Lambeg where Stewart left us. Colin and I then returned to the Civic Centre fighting the wind in the exposed sections.

Great run, lovely evening. Hopefully I have the bike sorted out now. We'll see on Sunday!!!