Post by manuel6b on Mar 2, 2012 23:23:01 GMT 1
Spring was definitely in the air. Another mild night and the path was bone dry. Happy days!!
Gathered at the Civic Centre was Kyle, Gibson, Ronan, Colin + new guy Stefan (17 year old). We set off around 7:10 with Kyle and me on the front. I was trying to keep the pace steady as we had someone new on board but Kyle's "steady" was a lot quicker than mine and without thinking he was drifting off the front!! Sign of things to come. With no John S out tonight Kyle was going to have few challengers.
All over the footbridge. I then upped the pace around this track to see how everyone got on. Very well was the verdict.
Kyle lead the group around the paths towards the Ring. At the Ring we got Stefan to do the countdown for the now obiligatory sprint. Ronan got off to a great start and it took me a while to shake him. With the other side in sight I thought I had got it but Kyle came around and pipped me to the rise up the bank on the far side. That got the heart going. Fair play to Ronan who has stepped up a gear.
All headed down Ronan's route with me at the helm. I'm getting used to those steps now. Stefan was right behind me taking it all in his stride. Cut back onto the path at Shaw's bridge. Stefan and I kept the lead to the trees. Kyle lead off up the climb with Colin and I at the back. I made a bit of an attempt to get up to the front runners for the first short climb but was well back. After we had gathered up I started the charge up the climb until Kyle caught me. I then backed right off trying to keep some energy for Vomit Ridge. On the spin towards the ridge I was getting mechanical problems with the front derailleur. It wouldn't shift into the big ring and when it finally did, the chain hopped straight past and came off. Grrrr. I was last getting up vomit ridge, Kyle took the 'win' with Stefan close behind.
I got the chain sorted out in the car park and then lead off around the loop. On the exit Kyle came around me again!! Another second place.
All out to the tow path. Gibson and I leading on the way down towards Stranmillis. All turned for the Meadows. I lead through here with Gibson on my wheel. I then got away first for the run through the dips with Kyle close behind. Ronan's 'light' issues appeared again this week
Gibson and I then lead back towards Shaw's. Somehow we managed to get a good few lengths ahead of the others and got to Cardiac Hill first. Gibson lead up this until just before Pain Tree when I went round. I pushed hard and could hear Kyle right behind me. He was trying to go around the grass to beat me but conceded instead. I got this one
I lead off past the shadow men (nice night for it). Down through the trees with Kyle hammering after me. 
We gathered up near the running track. I lead off down past the BMX jumps with Stefan right behind me, however he broke left and used the BMX course meeting me at the far end, where he arrived at my left hand side from around 3 feet up in the air. My question to him was "I take it you've been here before", his reply "every Saturday!". No wonder he knew his way around. Exit out of the dip where only Colin struggled with the mud.
Stefan and I then lead back to Lisburn. Past the steel bridge we got Gibson and Kyle to take over the lead. Colin and Stefan left at Lambeg. Ronan and I were tucked in behind Kyle and Gibson. At Drinker's bridge Ronan decides to go up the outside of Kyle. I shouted to get Kyle to move over as I backed off in case of a crash. No crash thankfully but now I was 5/6 bike lengths off the other three. Changed gear, head down, standing on the pedals I went after them. We nearly knocked some dog walkers down (Sorry!!).
I caught Ronan, passed him and caught up with Kyle and Gibson. There was space on the left hand side which I was going for but Kyle switched across to take it. I backed off a bit. The path was starting to run out. I let Kyle take Gibson then I buried it, passed Gibson and caught Kyle. With the arches in sight I passed Kyle to finish first ;D
Super night. Really enjoyed this little victory.
Roll on Sunday's race at Ormeau and next Thursday night on the path.
Well done to Stefan on his first night out with us.
Gathered at the Civic Centre was Kyle, Gibson, Ronan, Colin + new guy Stefan (17 year old). We set off around 7:10 with Kyle and me on the front. I was trying to keep the pace steady as we had someone new on board but Kyle's "steady" was a lot quicker than mine and without thinking he was drifting off the front!! Sign of things to come. With no John S out tonight Kyle was going to have few challengers.
All over the footbridge. I then upped the pace around this track to see how everyone got on. Very well was the verdict.
Kyle lead the group around the paths towards the Ring. At the Ring we got Stefan to do the countdown for the now obiligatory sprint. Ronan got off to a great start and it took me a while to shake him. With the other side in sight I thought I had got it but Kyle came around and pipped me to the rise up the bank on the far side. That got the heart going. Fair play to Ronan who has stepped up a gear.
All headed down Ronan's route with me at the helm. I'm getting used to those steps now. Stefan was right behind me taking it all in his stride. Cut back onto the path at Shaw's bridge. Stefan and I kept the lead to the trees. Kyle lead off up the climb with Colin and I at the back. I made a bit of an attempt to get up to the front runners for the first short climb but was well back. After we had gathered up I started the charge up the climb until Kyle caught me. I then backed right off trying to keep some energy for Vomit Ridge. On the spin towards the ridge I was getting mechanical problems with the front derailleur. It wouldn't shift into the big ring and when it finally did, the chain hopped straight past and came off. Grrrr. I was last getting up vomit ridge, Kyle took the 'win' with Stefan close behind.
I got the chain sorted out in the car park and then lead off around the loop. On the exit Kyle came around me again!! Another second place.
All out to the tow path. Gibson and I leading on the way down towards Stranmillis. All turned for the Meadows. I lead through here with Gibson on my wheel. I then got away first for the run through the dips with Kyle close behind. Ronan's 'light' issues appeared again this week
Gibson and I then lead back towards Shaw's. Somehow we managed to get a good few lengths ahead of the others and got to Cardiac Hill first. Gibson lead up this until just before Pain Tree when I went round. I pushed hard and could hear Kyle right behind me. He was trying to go around the grass to beat me but conceded instead. I got this one
I lead off past the shadow men (nice night for it
). Down through the trees with Kyle hammering after me. 
We gathered up near the running track. I lead off down past the BMX jumps with Stefan right behind me, however he broke left and used the BMX course meeting me at the far end, where he arrived at my left hand side from around 3 feet up in the air. My question to him was "I take it you've been here before", his reply "every Saturday!". No wonder he knew his way around. Exit out of the dip where only Colin struggled with the mud.
Stefan and I then lead back to Lisburn. Past the steel bridge we got Gibson and Kyle to take over the lead. Colin and Stefan left at Lambeg. Ronan and I were tucked in behind Kyle and Gibson. At Drinker's bridge Ronan decides to go up the outside of Kyle. I shouted to get Kyle to move over as I backed off in case of a crash. No crash thankfully but now I was 5/6 bike lengths off the other three. Changed gear, head down, standing on the pedals I went after them. We nearly knocked some dog walkers down
(Sorry!!).I caught Ronan, passed him and caught up with Kyle and Gibson. There was space on the left hand side which I was going for but Kyle switched across to take it. I backed off a bit. The path was starting to run out. I let Kyle take Gibson then I buried it, passed Gibson and caught Kyle. With the arches in sight I passed Kyle to finish first ;D
Super night. Really enjoyed this little victory.
Roll on Sunday's race at Ormeau and next Thursday night on the path.
Well done to Stefan on his first night out with us.