Obsessive Cycling Disorder from OTT

We all had hi-powered lites, with Mackie also a member of the P7 owners club, a number of walkers commenting on how brite the lites were.

It’s good to see local Harpenden riders joining in and getting the benefit of a Beer/Cider in the Amble Inn -hope you can come along again soon. Rich

click here 

Craig,James,Bill, Frazer and me (Rich) followed some of the route we took last Sunday evening with explosive results - Craig managed to blow his 2.3 Kenda’s (tubeless tyres) not once, but twice. The first burst exploded with such venom the rest of us though it was “Pheasant Shooting Season” - after repairing his tyre with James spare inner tube it decided to blow whilst he was holding it -covering him in a yellow slime (tubeless sludge).

We had only been riding for an hour and half and were just about to hit the interesting jumps and forest section - you can see the route from last Sundays nite ride below. The guys were in lite training for tomorrows “London Skyride” so keep a look out for the blue and white jerseys (and OTT on road bikes?)

click for full size map

Every once in awhile everything comes together just right, 2:15pm Friday 11th Sept. was one of those glorious times.The sweat runs down my face and dries, cooling my cheeks as my eyes focus hard, dropping in on the rock slab on the Rush Up Edge descent. On my left the sheepdog darts to the shepherds whistle. On my right the paragliders swoop and soar. Ahead lies some 27Km of the most intense natural XC riding in the country. The sun is out, the sky is the most intense blue. It’s a beautiful day and I’m riding strong and confident.

The ride starts in Edale, climbs up to Hollins Cross, along to Mam Tor & through the pass to Rush Up Edge. The 1st climb is stiff and technical, it starts on tarmac & once on the dirt requires a few stops to suck down a lung and prepare for each technical feature. You think this is tough? Wait till you get round to Mount Famine & Kinder. This is PROPER mountain biking, everything else has just been preparation. all that time learning to Bunny hop becomes time well spent when approaching water bars down hill at 20mph. You really wouldn’t want your front wheel whipped away by the slants of slate to be punctured & taco’d. You wouldn’t enjoy the long walk home with a broken collarbone sticking out & carrying the bike. Remember sport psychology ! concentrate on what you WANT to happen. Enjoy the ride!!

The next climb from Coldwell Clough to Edale Cross is also a toughie. This is also steep & technical. It’s best attempted with many breathers, by riders who embrace a challenge and are happy to go at their own pace. If you rush this climb it just hurts on every level.

I finally reach the top. The very top. This is Edale Cross. There is literally nothing between here & the car park which “should” involve a pedal stroke. I say “should” because there is one major obsticle: Jacobs Ladder. Once a ponytrack over Kinder Scout, it is now one of the best natural trails I know of. Apparently only 3 people have ever ridden up it ‘clean’, but TBH I’ll be pleased to get down it clean…

Through the gate & the fun starts: rock slab, foot high slate water bars, natural berms, 2 foot step drops, loose rocks the size of your head & steep. This is the 1st time I’ve ridden down it & OMG I’ve never been so focussed. It makes Afan feel like a ride to to the shops & back. I get to the bottom with one dab, no crash, no bone crunching drame. Phew! An old Redsocker holds the gate open for me. I stop, thank him, then extend my shaking left hand & explain “that’s from adrenaline that is”, he replies “I’m not surprised - my heart was racing just watching you!”. We part with a mutual smile of those that understand the joy the hills can bring.

The trail is fast & smooth after ‘Jacobs’, just the odd rock to pop a jump off or gravel patch to slid the rear out. The roll back down to the car is a relieved, relaxed, joyous spin. The Peak is a lonely place to crash, the yellow helicopter flies over often & is a stark reminder of your mortality. I’ve palpable sense of relief, even slight hysteria that I’ve collected no injuries. My smile eclipses my ears & I think to myself, if there is a heaven - it should be like this.

The Route:

The Route: http://sportstracker.nokia.com/nts/workoutdetail/index.do?id=1570511

The Route: http://sportstracker.nokia.com/nts/workoutdetail/index.do?id=1570511

Sundays ride had yet another newbie Simon (II) join us along with Mark Sparks, Mark (I), Richard (IV) and myself (Rich I). The steady pace came to an abrupt halt at around 18k when I fell off, in true OTT style the guys all came back hung around and waited for the old struggler (thanks guys for the many txts received after). The group had already followed the route thru the woods in Kimpton, climbed the Rocky Rd (see map) and had the next challenge of the Water Tower Hill in Whitwell. Mark took the rest of the group of ,while I took the easier route back to the Pub .  Rich IV has his new Garmin (minus instructions)and measured around 20 miles. although he (the Garmin not Rich) kept beeping every 5 mins.- We all ended up at the Amble and had a couple of enjoyable drinks of fruit juice before leaving at 1pm. Simon this was not the typical pace of OTT with Captain Slow holding everyone back (again I here you say!) I suspect the way to tackled the small number of jumps you’re a bit more hardcore, but I hope you found the varied route fun. Hope to see you all next week - Comment - If Mark M can make it with what looks like a 12″ appendage on his leg as a result of the fall a few weeks ago- I should stop being so soft!- Cheers (Rich).

Garmin route - click here

Garmin route details - click here 

Thanks Mark for Garmin stuff

PS -OTT Jerseys - Simon must be keen he asked about an OTT limited edition jersey (only 3 left)

I have been absent from the OTT rides for a few weeks as I have been in Italy on a family holiday - however I did get a chance to attempt part of the imense 1750mtr dh from Malcesnie with my son Tom - I will post a couple of pictures later . I should have known better don’t hire a bike unless you really have to. Trying to ride a frame which after hour I can only assume was designed for one of the 7 dwarfs and you don’t notice this until your nose is facing the floor and you’re heading down a descent (unlike anything Herts has to offer) - you can keep KTM bikes . We also managed to bust a rear hanger, but more later- Rich

Top of ride (CLICK FOR PHOTO ALBUM OF LAKE GARDA)