Obsessive Cycling Disorder from OTT

  An overcast but dry day saw a group of 10 riders meet at the Ancient Briton in St. Albans for the regular Sunday ride.  This was an alternative meeting place and first time we’d used it on a Sunday.  Luckily, it seemed a popular start point.  We set off with James leading the way.  In seconds, we were following each other along a portion Beech Bottom Dyke for a quick weave through the tree’s.  After exiting briefly, it was back into the tree’s until we came to the railway.  Quickly down to the road and past Sandridgebury Farm  to catch the last section of the bridleway into Sandridge Village. 

Being so close, it would be a sin if we missed out Rifle Butt woods so onwards we went.  It was great to see the pedal-powered procession winding it’s way across the field to the start.  The woods are always great fun and as expected, James positively flew through here.  After everyone was together again we headed off for another dose of wooded fun in the form of Symondshyde.  We did a small section and then the fast part that ends on the road.  Mackie had a minor tumble but all was well.  We set off again into the thick of it but we lost Mackie & Mec en route.  Despite phone calls and a complete lap of the area by James, we couldn’t locate them.   It was later revealed that three punctures had stopped Mackie in his tracks and Mec had stayed with him.

We continued across to Cromer Hyde ready to pick up the better half of the Bunyan gully.  This is a favourite of mine and always good fun when pedalling like crazy. Crossing the road, we dived into Brocket and shot down to the River Lea.  This was followed as usual, via the ford until we reached the incline up to the Ayot Greenway.

Following the old railway path, we dipped down the ‘Steep’ of Hunter’s Bridge to head on to Stocking Springs.  Always a tight ride especially for those with wider bars.  I’m sure it claimed a victim or two on this ride. 

Heading South-West now, Gustard Wood was our next destination with a quick cut through the golf course and the stepped route that ends with the fast section through to Marshalls Heath.  A short road section took us to Mackerye End for the narrow singletrack down to Batford - the ‘traditional’ home of OTT Sunday rides.

Over the ford & up the hill (where Mark H’s bike spat it’s chain) only to fly through the cuttings between the houses en route to Mud Lane.  Over the fields and past Cheapside Farm for the short blast back to Sandridgebury.  Here it was an easy pace back through the lanes to the Ancient Briton.  With some aching legs on board, we said our goodbyes & dispersed ready for the next one.  Thanks to James for leading this one and a shout out to all the new faces I’d not seen before.

Riders were Duncan, James, Mackie, Mark H, Mark M, Mec, Mik, Paul, Sam & Tim.

Cheers Guys

Mark

The Route

This entry was posted on Monday, October 19th, 2009 at 12:17 pm and is filed under Bike Rides. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.