Tow path - 31 January 2013

[manuel6b]

No one out last week. Just right. It was still a bit icy.

Tomorrow night is looking good on the weather forecast. I'm heading down. Hope to see others there too.

[kyle1]

Ill be back. Probably bringing up the rear!!! Haven't been out much:(

[ronan]

I'll be there,so dont worry Kyle,youll not be last!

[garry]

Hope to make it aswell

[kyle1]

Cheers Ronan. Spring league in three weeks!!!

[manuel6b]

Great night out on the tow path. Eight of us set off shortly after 7 pm, Bobby, Ronan, Kyle, John S, Gibson, Garry and his brother in law Henry, and me. Not a bad night. Some light showers to begin. A bit windy at times. Hardly anyone on the path.

Bobby was on his touring bike and was setting a brisk pace at the front with me trying to keep up alongside him. Quick stop in the usual spot, Bobby and I still at the front to the footbridge when Bobby headed straight on with the rest of us heading over. First mechanical of the night from Garry who’s cleat came off his shoe and was stuck in the pedal. Took a few minutes to fix this. I then lead off around the path. At the right hand turn for the Ring we found Mark F. Mark got about 25 metres when his chain broke. He had to walk back to Belvoir. Bad luck Mark. We pushed on around the path to the Ring with Gibson on the front and me on his tail. Gibson had a bit of a wobble when a bramble caught his handlebars but he managed to control the bike and charge on.

We lined up at the edge of the Ring. Kyle was up for the sprint and yelled ‘go’. We charged. I got a good launch and hit the front. Buried it. Made it across first ;D Ronan “I’ll not keep up” was second with Kyle close behind.

All gathered up, headed down “Ronan’s way” back to Minnowburn, on to Shaw’s bridge and down into the trees. I lead the posse through the paths across the crossroads and around the loop. John S and I were at the front as we circled back around and headed for Vomit Ridge. We were neck and neck as we got to the top when John sportingly let me have the win

Kyle lead us around the loop. We didn’t get too far when we had another mechanical. John S’s chain broke. Gibson managed to find a link to get him going again. Ronan, Kyle and I were leading off but then noticed that there were no other lights behind us. Turns out the John had wired his chain up incorrectly. More waiting time.

We decided to skip the Meadows and hit the tow path back to Shaw’s. John, Garry and Henry skipped Cardiac Hill. I chased after the other 3 who were waiting up at Malone House. Down in through the trees we hit the trail construction. A large section of muddy path created using the diggers. Not pleasant. Glad to get out of this and back to the path. John, Garry and Henry were nowhere to be seen. Gibson and I then lead Ronan and Kyle in a long chase to catch them. I was feeling good. We caught and passed the three just before the rise at the left hand turn near the tall arch bridge. Gibson and I only realised later on that we had dropped Kyle and Ronan somewhere before the catch. The five of us headed back to Lisburn at a reasonable pace. We waited at the Lambeg crossing to see where the other two were but had to push on as we were getting cold. John S was already away ahead again. Gibson and I then lead Garry and Henry to catch up to John. Gibson took great pleasure in zipping past John! I was hanging onto Gibson’s back wheel as we headed for the final run in. As the pace increased Garry and Henry made their move and came around me and up alongside Gibson. Gibson kicked. Garry and Gibson were pushing on hard now. I was stuck behind Gibson with Henry on my right. I was waiting for a gap to appear. Gibson got ahead of Garry and when he was more than a bike’s length ahead of Garry I got the chance to nip past Gibson for the win. Big grin time ;D

All back for around 9:25. Kyle and Ronan not too far behind. Super night. Hope we can all make it next Thursday and with a lot less mechanicals!