Post by manuel6b on Feb 24, 2012 4:07:37 GMT 1
What looked like a wet and windy night turned out not too bad.
Warm evening 13/14oC. Out tonight were John S, Gibson, Kyle, Pedals Pete, Ronan, Wes (just back from Poland, in from the airport and straight out on the bike).
Ronan and I lead off around 7:15. Nice run down the path, some light rain at times. Over the footbridge (we seen other mtbers here), I lead then around towards the Ring. All lined up for the sprint. Kyle gave the shout. I got to the front first, got over half way over before Kyle came past. (Second place).
Out and down Ronan's way. Them steps can be hairy. Seen other mtbers here.
Back into Minnowburn then on towards Shaw's bridge. We picked up Davy Y at Shaw's bridge, Pete left just after.
Into the trees. I was at the back following Wes. The ones in front started to bunch up on the approach to the first climb. I got up the outside and got up this climb first (First!). John S had a mechanical issue on this climb
Kyle and I lead out towards Vomit Hill. We were chatting away on the approach when John S squeezed past. Kyle gave pursuit as did Gibson. I was left struggling up on my own with the others further back. John S got the yellow and polka dot this time!! (Fourth!)
Nice spin around the loop. I was at the front (again!). On the exit back to the car park I knew I didn't have the power needed to hold off John S, Kyle then Gibson. (Fourth again!).
All back to the tow path. Wes and I lead down towards Stranmillis. Back through the Meadows. From the start point near the Malone Road exit I set off first (once Kyle sorted out his mechanical issue). This time I managed to hold off John and got out to the tow path first (First!)
Wes and I then lead back to Shaw's at a brisk pace. At Shaw's there was a few canoes being reloaded into carriers so our run up Cardiac Hill was interrupted but I got away first with John on my tail. I did a bit of snaking about the tarmac to hold him off but after a while just let him through. He powered off. I got to the top second (Second!).
I lead down through the trees, up to the track and out through the BMX dip. All successfully through here (except John S. Gibson took the side path).
Wes and I lead back to the steel bridge when I got John S and Wes to take over the lead as I dropped back to row 3. Quick run back to Lisburn. All going well until just after Hilden when it was anchors on, screeching stop, skidding tyres as there was a tree down across the path. And it hadn't been that windy!!!!
We crawled under it. I was now in the second row as we headed for Lisburn sitting behind Ronan. Davy Y was on my left and he was right up close behind Wes. After Drinker's bridge the pace upped. Davy Y could not get past Wes and Ronan was drifting towards the middle of the tarmac effectively closing Davy in. I went up the outside of Ronan and pushed but I knew it did not feel as fast as last week and it wasn't long before John then Gibson (rubbing John's rear wheel) then Kyle went past. Gibson took John, Kyle took Gibson for a great 'win'. I was fourth, again! (Fourth!)
Super night. All riders going strong. Great to see. As you can see, one rider is not strong across all areas! Kyle is in top form with all his secret hill training he is doing
Roll on Sunday's race at Ormeau Park so we can put all this 'form' to good use.
Warm evening 13/14oC. Out tonight were John S, Gibson, Kyle, Pedals Pete, Ronan, Wes (just back from Poland, in from the airport and straight out on the bike).
Ronan and I lead off around 7:15. Nice run down the path, some light rain at times. Over the footbridge (we seen other mtbers here), I lead then around towards the Ring. All lined up for the sprint. Kyle gave the shout. I got to the front first, got over half way over before Kyle came past. (Second place).
Out and down Ronan's way. Them steps can be hairy. Seen other mtbers here.
Back into Minnowburn then on towards Shaw's bridge. We picked up Davy Y at Shaw's bridge, Pete left just after.
Into the trees. I was at the back following Wes. The ones in front started to bunch up on the approach to the first climb. I got up the outside and got up this climb first (First!). John S had a mechanical issue on this climb
Kyle and I lead out towards Vomit Hill. We were chatting away on the approach when John S squeezed past. Kyle gave pursuit as did Gibson. I was left struggling up on my own with the others further back. John S got the yellow and polka dot this time!! (Fourth!)
Nice spin around the loop. I was at the front (again!). On the exit back to the car park I knew I didn't have the power needed to hold off John S, Kyle then Gibson. (Fourth again!).
All back to the tow path. Wes and I lead down towards Stranmillis. Back through the Meadows. From the start point near the Malone Road exit I set off first (once Kyle sorted out his mechanical issue
). This time I managed to hold off John and got out to the tow path first (First!)Wes and I then lead back to Shaw's at a brisk pace. At Shaw's there was a few canoes being reloaded into carriers so our run up Cardiac Hill was interrupted but I got away first with John on my tail. I did a bit of snaking about the tarmac to hold him off but after a while just let him through. He powered off. I got to the top second (Second!).
I lead down through the trees, up to the track and out through the BMX dip. All successfully through here (except John S. Gibson took the side path).
Wes and I lead back to the steel bridge when I got John S and Wes to take over the lead as I dropped back to row 3. Quick run back to Lisburn. All going well until just after Hilden when it was anchors on, screeching stop, skidding tyres as there was a tree down across the path. And it hadn't been that windy!!!!
We crawled under it. I was now in the second row as we headed for Lisburn sitting behind Ronan. Davy Y was on my left and he was right up close behind Wes. After Drinker's bridge the pace upped. Davy Y could not get past Wes and Ronan was drifting towards the middle of the tarmac effectively closing Davy in. I went up the outside of Ronan and pushed but I knew it did not feel as fast as last week and it wasn't long before John then Gibson (rubbing John's rear wheel) then Kyle went past. Gibson took John, Kyle took Gibson for a great 'win'. I was fourth, again! (Fourth!)
Super night. All riders going strong. Great to see. As you can see, one rider is not strong across all areas! Kyle is in top form with all his secret hill training he is doing
Roll on Sunday's race at Ormeau Park so we can put all this 'form' to good use.