Obsessive Cycling Disorder from OTT

After a post on the message boards and a few texts, Simon, Bill and Rich IV and I (Rich II) met up in Bricket wood for a Friday evening ride. After what had been a pleasant afternoon the heavens opened just as we were starting out. But resisting the temptation to go straight for a beer, we found shelter for the worst of the passing thunderstorm and then set off. Rich IV was leading and was flying on his ’home turf’. He has a great knowledge of the area and much of it seems to be in loops so you can cut short or extend a ride to suit the mood / conditions. Just as he promised there was some great singletrack and very little tarmac. There were also a couple of ‘play area’ / jump spots where the fading light (and in my case lack of skill) meant we didn’t use them to their full potential this time around. The wet conditions combined with lots of roots probably gave us all a few ‘moments’ although everyone got through without any ‘offs’.

 The mud and the rain gave a taste of things to come and was the first ride in a long time where it felt a bit like winter. The only incident was a flat rear tyre for Rich IV caused by a bit of glass. This was quickly sorted and I think we may now have another convert to CO2 tyre inflators and potentially homemade tubeless tyres as well. No route map from me this time as I managed to knock my garmin off at some point and missed about 4 miles worth of the route, we covered about 13 miles in total. The ride ended at Rich’s house where he was the generous host providing a post ride beer. Thanks to Rich IV for leading and I for one propose we move a Tuesday night ride to the Bricket Wood area in the near future!

Other Rich

Another excellent turnout, 6 of us met at Sandridge for our usual Tuesday evening fun.

Tim arrived after having what looked like a nasty off riding from James’ place, lots of scratches, bruises etc.  But being the hero that he is thought nothing of it - hope all’s well Tim.

For a change I decided to try some new trails and started off with the Jersey Farm woodland walk to get us warmed up, a few bits of singletrack joined by bridleway, then past the pond and up the small hill towards Nashe’s Farm, really got the heart pumping.

Then for a change instead of going towards Symonshyde, went straight over towards Coopers Green Lane, and then across the fields and a very overgrown footpath emerging on Hatfield Road next to Notcutts, across the road towards the Alban Way and then along there until the end - very boring, but fast and straight, time to chat as we were spinning along.

Across the fields from Sopwell House to do the Southern loop, to bring you back on the A414, some more easy paths and then across some more fields to Tyttenhanger, and the Bridleway back towards Oaklands College, getting very dark at this point.

Through the college and then Jersey Lane through Jersey Farm, up through Marsalswick and said my goodbyes as the rest of them cycled down the road to the Ancient Briton.

Route below.

Simon

The numbers are getting bigger and we have now got “Bill & Ben” - no jokes please (if you are old enough to remember!). After a staggered departure from The Ancient Britain we took the Symondshyde/Riflebutt route up towards Coleman Green stopping at the John Bunyan for a lemonade and then down the gully, before which the tail enders (Bill & Ben and me) managed to take a longer route in the woods - honest!

It was great to see Mark M back from his injury and MTB Pete joining the crew - With many of the guys sporting new P7 LED’s (Plus Rich flashing away!) the night sky when we got to Devils Dyke didn’t know what had hit it.

OK here goes: LtoR -James/Mark M/Simon with Tan/Ben/Adders/Rich/Mark S/Bill/Rich (he moved) and Mec - out of the Picture Rich (me of course) and MTB Pete who joined in 10 mins later……….The Dirty Dozen!

 After dropping my car in for a service (Dunstable) at 7am this morning I will taking the chiltern way back through to Caddington (off road I hope). I will attempt this on the Stumpy FS and not as rumour has it swop into my “roadie” gear - Hopefully its going to be an uneventful 11 miles - Rich

Took a wrong turn and made 12.2 miles in 55 minutes - Captain Slow!

Nine ride for OTT A record - 7pm evening ride

Ashridge Forest a guided tour suggested by Tim and what a great route - only problem was some guy was at the back taking his time and also the occasional detour (sorry guys - you probably would have got 18 miles instead of 13). The pace was a lot quicker than normal (my excuse anyway!).

This large group of nine riders started with a fantastic downhill stretch with Tim in charge and finishing just after 9pm- lets see some comments from you guys, plus the names as I cant remember them all (dementia!). It was a great sight seeing all those riders stretched out across the route, shame we didnt have any pictures.

Oh and Rich (III) you mentioned a great pub close by - if it was a suggestion James and I where too slow on the uptake - cheers anyway!

Stephen/James/Rich I/Rich III/Tim/Darren/Paul/Neil/Dave (is this correct!)

Rich

Sundays group was Craig, Frazer, Tim, Stephen,Mec, Neil and I (dont think I have forgotton anyone) - heading toward Kimpton and our normal village route we took a couple of detours towards St Ippolitts and Preston, taking in a couple of gentle slopes (Craigs view not mine) and both up and down the whitwell tower road.

Click on image to get an alarming bigger picture

 

   

Top - Mec - Frazer

Btm - Neil - James - Tim (Weight Weenie)

No major incidents, except Frazer getting the obligatory first ride puncture. Using our regular trail through the villages we stopped on the return leg at a local tea room (a haunt of the local roadies) - Ladies -if you read this blog it was a long wait for stewed tea and average coffee -sorry!.  Over 3 hours and 23 miles later we finished with a quick visit to the Amble Inn (in my case to take away the taste of the coffee)

 

I arrived in Cres, Croatia four days ago. Last time I was here I hired a bog standard giant mtb with some s***y (rsl 0r something) forks, that bottomed out and topped out at every opportunity, I took the hire bike out on some of the killer local trails and it hardly coped. This time, things are different I brought my own steed. First day I went out and met a local who told me about a climb up to a church in the middle of know where with a great descent. This had to be tried, for my first outing I took the climb up to the church, a solid 20min of climbing in extreme heat. Very rocky and lined with stacked rock walls the church was truly in the middle of nowhere, no houses, no shops, no people. Its hard to imagine any one ever went to it. I started to descend down the other side of the church on some very tech single track that got more and more difficult. I decide to turn around and try the downhill back into to town which turned out to be very sweet. With loads of options weaving in and out of olive trees and down rocky paths. As you descend these walled rocky paths sheep jump out of the shadows where they have been sheltering from the sweltering heat and run in front of you until they have the opportunity to jump over a wall and escape. This route has now become my default route into town. However on my last trip to town I was hit with a pinch flat…… Those sheep must having a laugh, after all the time they spent running in front of my wheel….

My next major outing involved a trip from Cres to Valun and then on to the hill top huge reservoir that supplies drinking water to the whole island. The total route was 35miles and I thought this wouldn’t be too much of a problem. However I hadn’t factored in a few things:

1)    The Heat

2)    The Climbs

3)    My Beer Gut

So I left Cres town and climbed towards Valun at around 9am. A lovely route 10 mile of dirt track. At one point I was pushing my bike up a very steep loose rocky ascent only to see two lycra clad Italians ride up the same climb. They stopped at the top and could hardly speak. I Jumped back on my bike and this was the last I saw of them. I kept an eye behind but only saw one of them appear briefly. This gave me a lot of false confidence. The next part of the route got a lot harder. With an easy start trough the welcoming shady forest. Before I new it the reservoir was on my right side 300m below, and the trail all but disappeared also the gradients got a lot steeper. I was starting to loose the will to go on. And after rounding one bend and after making a huge climb up to the highest point on the island I decided it would be best to take the main road home with a lovely 30min descent into town a large lemonade and a cheese pie ( burek ). Made me feel better. This route will be tackled on another day….tbc.

Here is a link to the Garmin route map:

BOY!  - Bruise Of the Year!

  With Rich out of action due to mechanical problems, a small group of us opted to meet at Charlton for a 23 mile loop.  Rich kindly came to see us off though and brought the new OTT shirts with him.  Paul, Will and I met Adders who was to lead the ride.

  We left Charlton, nipped through to the outskirts of Hitchin and quickly got off-road.  We headed through Oughtonhead Common which was fun with many roots keeping us alert.  We then doubled back from Ickleford and into Pirton village.   Here, we joined Wood Lane and headed towards Pegsdon.

  A little under 8 miles into the ride, we were all attempting a set of steps which Adders & Paul negotiated successfully with their full sussers.  I opted for a go on the Boardman (my Giant currently out of action) and at the 4th or 5th step from the bottom, my front wheel stopped as the steps became shorter and catapulted me over the bars (getting good at this aren’t I) and hard onto the last 2 inch wide wooden step taking the full brunt of the impact on my thigh.  I got up but it was a real struggle to stand with any weight on my right leg.  I sat on the offending step for a bit and actually felt quite faint for a minute.  I opted to press on as it was easier to ride than to stand or walk.

  timing

  We crossed the Hitchin Road at Pegsdon and bypassed K2 to get back on the  Icknield Way Path just West of Telegraph Hill.  Right on the John Bunyan Trail then into Leet Wood for the awesome descent into Barton.  All good downhill sections come at a price and it was a long slow haul back up past Jeremiah’s Tree - once used for hangings but now a mere 200 year old stump.  We continued up to Maulden Firs then took Wardswood Lane down into Lilley.  Another very steep climb up The Baulk, then through the woods and turning left at Lilleyhoo Lane.

  summary

  We doubled back just South-East of Little Offley and crossed the A505 into Great Offley.  Next was the great downhill section of Chalk Hill.  I was a bit behind here and was even more delayed when a large group of dogs walked across the path and decided to stage an impromptu ‘doggie porn show’.   After much amusement, I caught the others up again and it was back onto the road just after Temple End for a gentle pedal into Charlton.

  the route

  Many thanks to Adders for leading the ride today.  Nice to ride something new.  It was a great route and quite challenging in places for an unfit bloke like me.  Sorry guys for slowing you all down but thanks for waiting and allowing me to complete the route minus K2.  I’m now hobbling round the house with a great big 4×5 inch bulge on my thigh and numerous cuts & grazes. No bruise funny enough but it looks like the step actually squashed my thigh muscle in at the point of impact and created a huge bulge below.  Ouch!  

see the route on the NEW Garmin Connect Player link
Best viewed using the “toggle fullscreen” button prior to playing

Mark (Trance 3)

Craig, Matt (looking like Capt Ahab) and Pete, headed north the the Peak District (Hathersage) this weekend - Craig (in the background) sent me this picture which I felt I must share! - As you can see, typical Aug 1 BBQ weather in the UK -Rich

One day later

  click to view full size 

LEFT
Nicolai Helius CC Demo Bike - German bike- Rohloff Speedhub, Magura brakes and fork, custom paint job, ace! Nicolai use a standard 4-bar rear end, great pedalling, great traction, great action with the DT Swiss shock
RIGHT
Santa Cruz Heckler Demo Bike –Demo From Santa Cruz UK ,X9, Pikes, Syncros. & simple single-pivot.