The Last Supper

Right folks the post you have been waiting for, I hope you are all sitting comfortably. After 99 miles I'm not!

In keeping with today's theological theme, today's full fat run could be entitled as the last supper. More on that later.

With a record number of riders out today it was a surprise that only six brave souls ventured out with the full fats. The usual suspects Retro, 1st Cat, Nightmare, Bullet, Michael who I think should be nicknamed Flashdance (because of the classy welding job of the down tube on his Bianchi ) and myself.

I already had 10 miles of a taster of today's strong winds when I rode out to join the group, so I knew it was going to be a hard day at the office.
With the wind gusting from the South-west, Nightmare suggested our target for today should be Lurgan.

We hit the carriageway out by Tesco and towards the House of sport, hanging a left past Dub stores, Drumbo, Lambeg and into Lisburn. Today was to be one of those days when we were to stick mainly to the bigger roads making the going in high winds slightly easier to bare.
From Lisburn we headed out the Moira Road towards...... yup you've guessed it Moira! From there we followed the main road to Magheralin before venturing onto the back roads we are famed for. Just outside Teemore we had our first of two punctures. These were put down to condition of the delightful country lanes or perhaps it was the scud of Flashdance, who was secretly hoping for a puncture earlier on. Not far along the same road Flashdance suffered his puncture, be careful what you wish for boys and girls!!

Scarva was our designated coffee stop, Nightmare took great delight in making us work hard for our treats in taking us the longway round. We took the scenic route into Markethill, past Gosford forest and onto the Tandragee Road. Swiftly turning onto the Shanecrackan Road which will now be renamed Retrocrackan Road where Retro had a visit from the man with the Hammer, not a pretty sight. 

We regrouped in Poyntz Pass and a quick jaunt up the towpath into Scarva had us refuelling in the tea rooms. That brings us to today's title of the last supper. After his meeting with the hammer man Retro was full on feeding frenzy and was eating as if it was his last supper. Anyone that has suffered the knock knows it's not nice and all you want to do is refuel. I don't think I've ever seen one person eat so much in such a short space of time.

Suitably refuelled it was time to venture back out into the wind, a more direct route home was on the cards. Up the hill out of Scarva we turned towards Lawerencetown, Donaghcloney and dog legged our way towards the Maze and Lisburn. From Lisburn we were on the homeward straight and kept on the flat towards Dunmurray were we went our separate ways.

It was a tough day but thanks to Nightmare and 1st Cat we kept it mostly all together, with lots of good training and decent miles. Chapeau to Retro for such a recovery and Flashdance on his new nickname.

Here's the Strava link: www.strava.com/activities/239795082

Categories: Ride