Tow path 26 Jan 2012

[manuel6b]

Tow path run on tonight again. Same time, same place.

[johns]

I'm doing a check for anyone carrying nailed sticks this week!!!

[manuel6b]

Well it is safe to say that that was not my most successful night on the tow path run

Running a bit late I was in a hurry to get to the Civic Centre. Present were Ronan, John S, Martin McA, Dave & Stewart (who we keep bumping into). I was talking away, selling kit etc when I realised I had not brought my helmet. Doooh!!! I decided to drive back home, get it and meet the lads on the path. It was just after 7 at this stage. Bike back on car. Rushed up the road. Hit traffic at the road works!!! I rung ahead, got my wife to find my helmet so that I could just collect it without having to get out of the car. The rain was on steady now.

I drove to Lambeg, parked up, got the bike off and then got a call from John S to say they were at the steel bridge. I told them to push on and I would catch them. Jumped on the bike and charged off. The path was soaking, lots of puddles, eyes full of mud, pushing hard. My rear wheel has been 'feeling funny' lately as if it had a wobble, possibly buckled. The tyre was pumped up ok but I had no time to stop and check. Push on, push on.

Over the steel bridge, up and over the footbridge, around the Ring, no sign yet. Down neetle lane, VERY slippery, foot out dabbing along. Big dog barking out the other side. Back to the road, pushed on to Minnowburn. Pulled into Minnowburn and I could feel the back wheel getting worse. I backed off a bit. I could then feel the rim hitting off the ground. Bugger. I looked ahead to Shaw's bridge and decided to ride there to get shelter from the rain to fix the puncture. (Note1)

Bike upturned, found 2 thorns (probably from neetle lane), new tube in, used co2 cannister (still getting used to these), had to 'top up' using the pump. Charge on.

I meet a big gang of 12 ish riders outside of Belvoir. Some of them were trail questers who I'll see on Sunday

I decided at this stage to go into the trees from the opposite side to see if I could find the others. This worked perfectly as I met them coming back down from the car park before they swung "RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT" into the trees.

John S and I then lead the group around the Meadows. I was loving riding in the group again. We charged on back to Shaw's with my rear wheel starting to 'feel funny' again. The riders behind had noticed that it wasn't running well. Up Cardiac Hill just in behind John S until his gears crunched and I took the lead. We gathered up and then headed off passing through the shadow man convention. I could feel something rubbing on the rear wheel but didn't want to stop until I was past the shadow men

All stop, checked the rear wheel. The tube was bulging out of a hole in the tyre (probably from Note 1 above - riding along on the rim!!).

What to do now?? Repair job. The lads came to the rescue with 3 zip ties and an empty gel wrapper. New tube in. Bodge job done. Back on the bike, pushed on up to the running track. Sensibly decided to skip the BMX jumps. I was at the front with Davy trying to keep up as much speed as possible while the rear wheel bobbled around.

At Lady Dixon I decided not to hold the others up (raining and cold now) so I went for the road as they stayed on the path. At least the road would be shorter and, if stuck, I could get rescued easier!

Thankfully the rear wheel did not give anymore problems. Glad to get back to the car and home. Freezing. Shower, dry clothes, food the out to clean and fix bike. New tyre on. Let's hope that is all the bad luck out of the way for a white.

Roll on next week!!!

[barryvankellett]

Is there anything Cable ties can't fix?

[Gavin]

Don't throw that tyre out Marty.... Ronnie will take it