Obsessive Cycling Disorder from OTT

Anyone up for a nite in the bar with a meal for less than £20 per head - If you can make it we will arrange for another evening out - leave a comment - Rich

Whilst searching for bits for my SS build (by the way thanks to Simon for his single speed phone helpline!) I came across the Bikemonger Wisecracker headset Spacer its top of the list here http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/userimages/procart21.htm if only I’d seen it before my headset was done! Maybe they could do a bike mounted Ben and Jerrys tub holder for Mark? Although if he is putting in 26 mile off road rides in 2 hours with lots of stops then we should feed him up to slow him down!

Other Richard

It’s been a while since Mark had a moan, so I will - I decided to ride out on my own to Kimpton in the late afternoon sunshine today. Pushing uphill towards the great singletrack my chain snapped in 2 places. I spent 25 minutes after breaking my chain tool and having only one sram link on the roadside when 2 roadies slowed down looked and just carried off into the distance - hey guys, sporting roadside manner is to stop and ask if you can help - I guess they where too keen discussing Campagnolo or Colnago to bother- if you were the guys in Claggy Road at 5.30 thanks a lot  “*x!*@##ss”

Pics - Kimpton Bottom & Common Lane

Now with corrections in italics - see comments (Rich 23/4/09)

This evenings route was one of exploration, as Tim, Simon (Singlespeed) and I took the route north starting with a narrow trail towards Marshall Heath and then in the direction of Codicote (Nr Rich’s famous log!). With Tim and Simon swopping bikes (Tim getting excited about SS) and discussing bike bits in great detail we didn’t push that hard for speed, so I suspect it was a 16-20 miles or so, plus as normal I kept the pace down. Weather was great and the LED’s came into there own with all 3 of us with MTE P7’s and Tim with hise extra Q5 (for the techies out there this is 3500 lumens or better still twice as powerful as an Audi A5’s headlights)  .The ride was almost incident free - but in true OTT style on a sloping stretch at about 30kph (maybe more!) from Ayott St Lawrence my rear wheel got stuck in a rut whilst trying to move ahead of Simon (who was alongside) I managed to un-cleat my left leg to kick of and prevent hitting a worried looking Si - but with cat like agility and incredulous balance (and luck) I managed to keep upright but very shakey-whew that was close! - No drinks at the Amble, the guys being honed athletes needed to get back (plus I expect dinner was waiting!) - Simon had the Garmin, so lets see if the distance was correct;

Rich (shaken not stirred)

Somersault Sunday

Mark, ‘Maverick’ Andy and I set off from Batford in nice weather and covered some pleasant miles through varying known and unknown (at least to me) territory including some lovely forest tracks around Welwyn.  On the way back, somewhere around Codicote, Mark decided to demonstrate precisely how Rich(?) tried and failed to safely get over a log.  So realistic was his reenactment that his face made a very authentic dent in the earth leaving him with the impression of his glasses firmly stamped on the front of his head and a severe winding from his handlebars.  After a short recovery period his admirable resilience and sense of humour got him back on two wheels.

Mark I know it hurt but you really can’t blame me for getting a little entertainment out of the spectacle - these things are always better happening to someone else.  I hope to see you next week and that you haven’t got two black eyes.

Tim

  I was fortunately saved the fate of a lonely ride by the appearance of OTT regular Tim & OTT ‘newbie’ Andy making a welcome return on his Maverick.  We weren’t quite sure where to go so we pretty much made it up as we went along.  So off we went up  the singletrack - which was even more tricky than usual, due to fresh undergrowth obscuring some of the roots etc.  I confess, I nearly fell off on the 2nd root!  We headed across to Gustard Wood, on to Ayot St Lawrence then via the twisty singletrack of Stocking Springs Wood to get onto Ayot Greenway.  I successfully negotiated the steep embankment again but didn’t know my luck would change later on.

After following the Greenway to the end, we hit the road for the short run through Ayot Green & over the A1(M) to enter Sherrardspark Wood.   Straight through to Sixways in the centre then down to the end and a slippery climb up to exit on the wide tree-lined bridleway.  A short track took us past Digswell House and we dropped down from there to follow the small road under the Welwyn viaduct.  After passing Welwyn  North Station, we followed the path over the tunnels followed by a nice section of singletrack through Harmergreen Wood.  This part exits at Oaklands and due to time constraints, we decided to do a quick loop around Mardley Heath then under the A1(M) via a small tunnel.

  Past the quaint Robin Hood & Little John pub at Rabley Heath then an easy run into the bottom of Codicote looping round to the top end via Cowards Lane.  Out of Codicote and into the small woods that claimed ‘the other Richard’.   It was here that my luck was about to run out…

  We got to the infamous log and although  I’d cleared it before, i felt I was going too slow.  As I rolled towards it, there was now far less mud to assist with take-off.  It was too late and despite my doubts, I rolled up and over it, landed on the front wheel and promtly cartwheeled over onto my face in great style - much to Tim’s amusement.  I felt really badly winded taking a big bar/stem hit right in my chest.  Mud had filled the seam at the front of my helmet and my glasses had been pushed hard into my nose.  I also had some mud in my nose to give it the full monty OTT look.  Capped off with a slightly grazed chin, upper lip and a bruised/bloodied nose, I think I did a sterling job!

After a short recovery period, we pressed on (with a short handlebar straightening stop) to Bigg’s Grove and then to Hoo Park on our homeward journey.  The weather was by now really great and the chilly wind that followed us at the start had disappeared completely.  It was a nice run across Hoo Park to Kimpton then by road back to Batford to finish up with a respectable 23.94 miles according to Motion Based.

click image below for the full route map 

Here it is on Motion Based (click)

And here’s me…

Happy pedalling

Mark (Trance 3) 

Here’s the muddy route as ridden by Simon, Tim & I in the wet on Thursday evening.  It was very slippery out there.

Click below

An impromtu evening ride, meant Tim, Mark and Myself meeting up at Sandridge at 7:30 for a quick spin in the rain!.I lead the ride and decided toventure towards Batchwood as we hadn’t been there in a while, so up the bridleway out of Sandridge towards Harpenden, and a bit of road toward Chilwickbury and then the back way into Batchwood woods for a couple of loops, it was very greasy and the ups were quite interesting. Back the way we came and then past the 3 Horseshoes and down Mudd Lane, across Nomansland, and up towards The John Bunyan, where Tim managed to get a puncture, a bit of a faff meant 2 of my CO2 canisters being used, and then we were off again. Due to time I missed out the loop through Symonshyde, so we came back through Rifle Butt woods, always a grin, and a change to ride it that way, back into Sandridge and our farewells. A wet and muddy but very enjoyable ride, around 22Km.  Route map to follow.

Simon

For all you bike gadget techies, I have gone “retro”. With my chainrings biting the dust (although Simon and James helped with a replacement earlier in the year) it was time to decide what had to be replaced first - so avoiding diving into a new XT Hollowtech crank for £150 I salvaged my old Deore XT and BB replaced the k***d pedals, and with the help of Superstar (Rings) and some heavy duty polishing* of the crankarms ended up with these.

The arguments of std BB V Hollowtech and X type cranks fills many message boards - but apart from the weight (160gms more) the old style crank with replacement rings goes with my economical approach & necessary upgrades - My crank now looks like the old polished chrome 1970’s Campag kit from my days as a “roadie” (thats twice I have mentioned road bikes this year!) - By the way thats not rust on my chain and yes there is a NEW XT rear mech onboard also!

 *Removing the coating from the crank arms with a mild abrasive pad and then brasso with a soft cloth has left them gleaming - although if you do try this remember to also use a polysil cleaner after to give a protective coating, or expect lots of cleaning after your next ride.

Cheers - Rich (updated 16:04:09)

Pete, Mark and I (Rich) decided to try a local route towards the Chiltern Way and Someries, unfortunately Peter suffered the first of two technical glitches a dodgy headset. Anyway we managed to fix it and headed towards Gustard Wood. Deciding not to join us today Craig had opted for the easy option and went to the gym , whilst three of us decided to get wet and muddy.

The total journey was only 25k, it was about at about halfway when Pete’s rear tyre wasshreaded by a large rock and we had to make temporary repairs - then the rain started.

Peter took us to the Hoo Estate (not to be confused with Luton Hoo) and I lost my sense of direction completely (take a look at the map and you will see). Anyway, recommend the route-give it a try! . We had been planning to meet up with Matt, but with the delays and technical hitch we had to head back to base.

If anyone wants to post any suggestions on how to repair a shredded tyre - feel free, I used the old inner tube to patch the inner wall with medical tape (from 1st aid kit) 

 Click and take a look - Rich

Please excuse my abuse of the OTT blog oh mighty webmaster.

I am currently organising a quiz in support of our local (Markyate) cub and scout group and hope to tempt some of you to come along.   The ticket cost (£10) includes a hot supper It’s at my local club which sells good beer at even better prices and this has played no small part in the roaring success of the previous two quizzes I’ve organised.

It would be great if some of you could come and either form a team or join up with others.  With a fun quiz and good food I can pretty well guarantee a great time.  I also pledge to sneak at least one mtb related question in if at least one of you tells me you’re coming.

Contact me for tickets - Tim 01582 840996

If anyone requires the overlays for Memory Map as .mmo files for any of the rides, I have saved most of the recent ones and others around the Welwyn area too.  Contact me and i’ll be happy to email them to you.

Mark (Trance 3) 

Was an awesome 35 miles that was finally covered by the OTT crowd today.  I think we all felt it at the end.  Poor Richard felt it at 8.5 miles after his tree collision!  As i hoped, the downhill run on the ‘rocky road’ was pretty fast. My Garmin maxed out at 31.8mph here; I was also on the brakes to avoid Craig’s rear wheel!  If given a clear view, I’m sure it could have been 34/35mph as I reckoned the last time I did it.  Nice ride guys.

for your information, the split was fairly even :-

31% - ascending          34% flat          35% descending 

  

Click below for the full route

Click below for the elevation profile

Click here for the Motion Based player

- Mark (Trance 3) 

The omens where bad - Craig couldn’t get his brake pads changed and when we got to the Mill James had forgot his QR’s for his back wheel - I rode back to get some only to discover they where the wrong size - Anyway our Sunday morning jaunt through the county was joined by a newbie “Andy” on a beast of a Maverick MTB. Up through Kimpton, Whitwell and onto Preston, once again the pace and speed of the OTT athletes was too much for some of us and in my efforts to play catch up I  lost control of the rear wheel (on the easy stretch of xc) and went over the top (OTT) leaving my bike wrapped around the tree - ending up with a sore knee, neck and damaged pride.

Apart from this the weather and the ride was up to our normal great standards with only one other event (Craig snapped his chain -again!) we headed towards the Rare Breeds Farm (Whitwell) where I left James, Mark,Kev, Andy and Craig to head back towards Harpenden - I did manage the Whitwell Tower Uphill stretch - The guys will probably leave a map on the blog or an idea of distance, some of them did not get back until 4pm!!!!!  - I got the the Amble Inn for 1 - Rich

Wow!  Have we been blessed with fab cycling weather or what?  We couldn’t have asked for a better day - this Saturday really should have been called SUNday. 

 Simon brought Craig along for the ride today so there were three of us out enjoying this gorgeous weather.  We kicked off from Welwyn North station and swiftly made our way onto the path that takes us over the top of the tunnels through Harmergreen Wood.  Aways a great little section to ride,  we followed the trail through the woods and exited at Oaklands.

After hopping off of Robbery Bottom Lane, Craig managed to snap his chain but this was quickly fixed with a powerlink and we continued back through the woods up to Harmer Green.  From there we took the bridleway through to Tewin and then on to Bramfield via Park wood. 

The two muddy puddles at the entrance of Row Wood never seem to dry out and although thankfully devoid of foot-deep water, they still manage to suck in bicycle wheels.  Fortunately, these are really the only two wet patches that are encountered into Bramfield woods.  We got some speed up on the byway that runs to Perrywood Farm.  From here, a nice run down to Watton-at-Stone and into the centre of the village for the start of a loop from Mill Lane. 

We were ‘kindly’ directed by a local landowner as to the direction the path went.  It did have a little switchback in it & we ended up exactly where I wanted - so no hardship.  A short road section and back through tree’s and fields to skirt Datchworth Green and re-enter the trail heading into Bramfield woods.  After turning right at the watertower, we went down the small lane to Queen Hoo Hall. 

A fast glide across the field and back to Park wood to end up once again at Tewin.  Another little road section followed, then the final off-road part with a nice easy run back to the bottom of New Road at Digswell.  A short steep push to the car and the 22 mile ride was over.  Superb weather and a real treat to be available to enjoy it.  Thanks to Simon and Craig for joining me.  Here’s to the next one guys!

Click here for the route

and here for the elevation profile