Obsessive Cycling Disorder from OTT

I was unable to ride with crew this weekend so I decided to go out for and hour or so on my own in the Sunday afternoon sun - I have exceeded my normal low standard of an average 6mph with 3 punctures and one OTT experience. I didn’t get any chance to “kick the rabbits” (see previous blog). I did have three punctures on a short 6 mile ride and gave up when I fell off the bike, I would however like to thank the male and female mtbers at the bottom of common lane, who seeing me with a bike on the floor decided to ride straight past me - cheers for the MTB spirit of stopping for other riders. Just to prove how c***p I was today have a laugh at the map.-Rich1

click here

I’m having a very slow start to riding for 2010. I’m too embarrassed to blog exactly how few rides I’ve been on this year. So imagine my disappointment when the first Tuesday night in ages that I’m not at work comes around and circumstances beyond my control mean I can’t make the 7pm Sandridge ride. Simon kindly offered to delay the start time but I was at the mercy of First Capital Connect and hate to think of people hanging around for me. There was only one thing for it, get out there anyway on my own. Ages ago I saw some moto-x types near junction 21a of the M25 and looking at google maps it seemed there was a bit of a circuit there. Hopefully the map is attached but IT is not my strong point.Anyway a bit of exploration was in order. There is a large area of waste land which is clearly regularly used by motorbikes. Lots of short sharp ascents and descents and I’m sure those with more skill than me would be able to launch themselves off parts of it.Unfortunately some of it was very boggy and still under about 15″ of water from recent weather but in the summer when its dried out it has real potential for a fun / play area. Especially if tagged onto a Bricket Wood ride led by Rich 4th. Once I’d had an explore there I made for Rich 4th’s place which provided a very pleasant pit stop, before setting off for a circuitous route home. As I cut through St Julians woods in Chiswell Green I properly caught a rabbit in about 1000 lumens, right in the middle of a narrow part of the trail, I thought I was going to hit it and unclipped a foot in anticipation of a crash. I steered right and caught the rabbit with my left foot as I passed, causing me a major wobble but luckily I stayed on two wheels! The rabbit ’snapped out of it’ and ran off, hopefully unharmed. Anyway I was glad to get out although solo riding isn’t as much fun as in a group so hopefully see you out there again soon, Rich II

Map (by Rich 1)

Dan from MTBB kindly “offered” to produce this BLOG!

A well written blog’ – is that meant to be me? Uh-oh, no pressure!

First up many thanks to the OTT guys for inviting us chancers from MTB Berko over to share your trails. Lord knows what you were expecting when the van came screaming into the car park, expletives flying. Thankfully the bikes were tied down properly this time … another story that.

22 riders has to be one of the biggest groups I’ve ever been out with too, what the locals must have thought having seen our rag-tag posse heading out can only be imagined.

To say the terrain isn’t obviously as hilly as that around Berko you’ve certainly got some quality little trails round your way too and it was a real pleasure to be branching out and riding something new. Personal highlights included the singletracky bit – Shaw’s Corner perhaps? – and Hitch Wood, both of which proved quality riding can be found even in the depths of the Home Counties. Oh, and the jump Lukasz and I attempted to session was fun too!

Did I say “isn’t obviously as hilly” too? Could’ve fooled me after that slog up to Easthall Farm, the challenge that not many have achieved it on a singlespeed a red rag to a bull to this one-geared idiot that kept those pedals turnin’ and calves’ burnin’ all the way to the top. Granted, I did actually want to die at that point, rather detracting from the undoubted glory this mighty achievement merited. Never have I been more thankful for a puncture stop – thanks Karl!

Anyway, to save repeating myself too much there will be a full ride report up on MTB Berkhamsted very soon but thanks again for having us all over and we’ll look forward to a rematch over our way some time soon. The landlord at The Riser has already been warned!

SEE LINK BELOW FOR FULL DETAILS FROM MTTB

Click here for the NEW MTBB report with great vid and pics

What a great day - Thanks to the guys (and girls) at MTTB for the trek of 21 riders today - I have posted the route below and some more pictures and a well written blog will appear soon………… Just got back from the Amble Inn! - Rich

 click for route on nokia sportstracker 

For some of us that slogged it out last week in the gloop, one dose just wasn’t enough.

Do we love cleaning our bikes after a muddy Sunday ride or what?

Here we go again…

Feb 14th was pretty much a re-run of last week’s route - the only differences were:-

1. We did the Mud Lane loop (as per night rides) dropping down into Sandridge  and heading through Rifle Butt Wood before  heading over to Symondshyde Great Wood.

2. We did the Cromer Hyde/half Bunyan gulley route rather than the mudfest through Titnol’s Wood to Colemans Green and full Bunyan gulley run.

3. We did the ’step down’ from Heron’s Farm  (which was passable) rather than the East - West ‘wheelstopper’ of last week.  No pushing the bikes on this section!

A few minor mechanicals and a wee tumble saw Rich I return to base rather than risk injury on the full route.  The rest of us plodded through the mud to complete our 20 miler.

You know, when I look at the bath water it’s green and not brown - I’m convinced it’s all recycled horse poop that OTT ride in and not mud at all. Argghhh!!

  I won’t elaborate on the route further as you can do comparisons to last week’s map.  I must say I was glad not to suffer any punctures this time.  A pretty uneventful ride overall but great training battling through the sticky stuff.  Gotta do us all some good in the leg muscle department.    

Well that’s about it for this one so thanks to Mark Sparks, Neil on his KONA (got it right this time, eh mate!), Rich I and ‘Tough Guy’ Tim for joining me on another mission to camouflage our bikes with the finest of Hertfordshire mud.

Oh, and a special shout out to Rich IV who popped in to the Mill to greet us whilst out ‘improving his fitness’ on his road-tyred Marin  - “Get your mud tyres back on, you muppet”.  Yes, I’m talking to you mate :-)

      The route

Mark 

A mild & slightly misty morning greeted the Batford posse for another excursion through the gloop and water.  Tim proudly displayed his Tough Guy medal which I’m 100% certain was well earned and much deserved.  Sadly he left the ride early but had other commitments which would have ruled out the full route anyway.

Craig was sporting a minor injury but that didn’t prevent him from taking his singlespeed for a blast. Simon also on his singlespeed, Rich III on an old school Muddy Fox, Neil on his Kona and myself on my trusty old Trance made up the riders.

We made our way over to Nomansland Common for our first dose of mud.  This was followed with more gloop by heading cross country towards Symondshyde Great Wood.  The run down into the woods was pretty sticky and the regular trail was a slip and slide spectacular.

In a moment of madness, I persuaded everyone to do a full Bunyan Gulley run  and we headed towards the start of it by branching off through Titnol’s Wood which was a mega mud-fest.  I found the best way was through the middle of the deepest mud where your wheels actually had some traction deep below the surface - it certainly wasn’t an easy choice of route though.

Bunyan Gulley was as expected and I opted for a full-on through the water approach to get me to the end.  However it was negotiated by all, it was a fun run in horrid conditions.

As per usual, we continued into Brocket and along to Waterend eventually picking up the Ayot Greenway.  We dropped down the Steep and continued until the Codicote Road where I delayed proceedings with a puncture.

That fixed, the slippery route through Stocking Spring was next on the agenda.  We finally got to Ayot St Lawrence where I picked up my second thorn in less than a mile and a half - Arghhh!  Suppose I’m overdue a punture or two though - gotta take it in turns eh?

We continued through to Gustard Wood and across the golf course. After Heron’s Farm, the last section that had us exit onto Marshalls Heath Lane was a nightmare.  The mud stuck like glue and despite a stream of profanity, I couldn’t  make it fully across the field.  I was about 30 feet from the road when both wheels stopped rotating completely due to an excess of mud.  None of us made it fully across this section as it really was impassable.

I’m sure Rich III’s old school ride weighed the most as his V-brakes collected mud like crazy.  The last section saw us all pedal to the start of the singletrack for the final descent into Batford.  A short ride today - only showing 17.3 miles on Memory Map - but it was a 20+ mile workout we had negotiating all that sticky Herts mud.  What better way to spend a Sunday morning than pedalling like madmen throuh the stickiest tracks in the county.

Thanks to all that came and stuck it out in the gloop.

 click for full route

Mark

Leaving the Mill at 9.40 without James today we where joined by OTT Newbie, John the Pom with Mark S, Mark M, Adders, Neil, Simon and me Rich 1.  A slow starts with 2 punctures before we had done 5 miles. As some of us need to be back for 12.30 the group took a normal route (see map) up through Gustard Wood and The Ayotts via Brocket Arms, Kimpton and on to Codicote (and the famous Richards log).

When we got to the Rocky Road before Whitwell the singlespeeders and those who didnt have to be back by 1pm headed north - Neil, Simon , John and I headed to Water Tower Hill and back towards the Amble Inn for a quick cider - It was good to see Adders join us and newbie John who kept up with the pace (damm good for first time out with a bunch of lunatics)-hope to see you again soon - click on map below

 click for full size route (thanks Simon)

I just have to write this quick blog - A “first” for Capt Slow, I managed to beat both Simon and James up a decidedly muddy track on our nite ride the woods last nite.

A cold start, part of James ploy to ensure that Simon and I couldn’t’ keep up with up with him at the begining of the ride - He kept us waiting and frostbite was beginning to set in. When he did arrive the whole of Sandridge new well in advance, as his 1800 lumens from his MTE LED lites could be seen miles away - the fact that collectively we emitted nearly 3 times that amount really cheesed off some oncoming drivers during the ride (it was there fault for driving off road!).

Anyway, great fun (but cold and sticky) nearly two hours in the saddle with the guys on their singlespeeders and we came across some other equally mad mtbers who even tried to keep up with us once or twice - but in true OTT style we led the way (or should that be L.E.D the way!) . Its not very often I can keep up, let alone manage to beat the dynamic duo on their SS’ers, but I did, however they made up for on the last leg by leaving me in the distance (for a short while, so I’m not complaining!) - I will be back! - Rich (Capt Slow)

Some of you asked about the lights - so pics above (see message board for tech spec)

 Muddy! 

John Bunyan Gully was so sticky we had to pedal down it!

Only 3 of us stupid enough to venture out, Mark S, Rich A and I, first time out for a long time meant Rich was very quiet during the climbs………

Perfect conditions for SS, I could almost hear the drivetrain on Mark’s new bike being ground away in the gloop.

We left the mill at 9.40 with James, Simon II (Badbod), Tim, Fraser, Mark S and me Rich riding cautiously through the ice and compressed snow. Our easier route took us up the Nicky Line onto Cherry Trees Lane and past the stables into East Wheathampstead and towards Nomansland Common on the border of St Albans. We followed the route across some incredible snow covered bridleways which looked as though no-one had used them for days - with the snow 8-12″ deep in parts. All of us, although taking it steady came off at one stage of the ride - with my front wheel stuck in a drift first and the slowest “endo” being demonstrated, Fraser managed to catch my bike (he said it was the safer option-don’t what he meant!). With a short flurry of more snow on the ride, James took some pics with the mobile (to be posted soon). We took our normal route through Symondshyde and back to the John Bunyon Gulley - the ride took it’s toll on my Spesh when my rear hanger snapped ( I had a spare - of course) along with the chain and a buckled rear mech - thanks to the guys and Simon  (Tim didn’t have a tool kit for some reason!) we were back and riding in 5 minutes ( we won’t mention the flat I got back in Southdown). An OTT first today- no visit to the Amble Inn !. I guess we only rode about 17 miles max, but the difficulty in virgin snow made it feel a lot more. - If you have not ridden in thick snow - give it a go it’s awesome - my standard S-Works Captain tyres worked a treat (full pressure - not low)

Cheers - Rich

A grand total of 10 riders met at the mill for the first OTT Sunday ride of 2010.  It was a pretty cold start to the day and everyone sported suitable attire to keep the frosty air at bay.

We started off up the singletrack & followed a pretty stock route through to Ayot St Lawrence and down to Kimpton Mill.  The “Rocky Road” was our next challenge and although slippery in places, it was still passable.  We looped round the Bury and down past the tea rooms (where some stopped for an early warming break).

Through Whitwell and right at the watertower saw us head in a general Northerly direction towards Hitch Wood.  We branched off through The Firs and entered Preston village.  Onwards we pressed along Dead Woman’s Lane and Tatmorehills Lane before branching off South-West.

A Northerly route to Temple End  was followed by the Chalk Hill route into and through Great Offley and along Luton White Hill.   The long wall close to Putteridge Bury college was our guide until we exited at Mangrove Green.  The fast run down the second “Chalk Hill” of the day was great fun and fast -  you could use the banking well to negotiate the corners at speed.

A fairly long road section through quiet lanes saw us pass through Ley Green, over the top of Kings Walden, through Frogmore and return to the bottom of the watertower climb at Whitwell.  As per last visit, the first section was okay but there was a distinct lack of traction available halfway up the second section.  I think Tim was the only one to make it without a break.  I stopped briefly and pushed but restarted with a friendly shove  courtesy of Mark Sparks.

We pressed on over The Holt and into Kimpton with the final climb and descent down Common Lane taking us back to the start point of our 34 mile epic mudfest at Batford Mill.

Due to time constraints etc, some riders left the group at various points throughout the route.  Craig, Tim, Mark Sparks and myself were the only four riders to slog it out to the bitter end (and wished we hadn’t at times!).  A fine start to the year. Welcome to OTT Sundays in 2010.  Nice one chaps.

Riders today were Rich I, Rich IV, James, Dan, Paul, Pete, Tim, Craig, Mark Sparks and Mark (me)

The route

here’s the link for the Garmin Connect Player

Mark

(pictures added by Rich later)

Northern bloke (Rich IV) with pork sausages - naughty!

Pete playing catch up - after leaving 15 mins late keeps up with the crew

Tim- now’s the time to put tubeless on the rear!

Possibly the last ride before Christmas for some of the riders and Mark, Pete, Tim and Mark turned out for a white ride with every intention of finishing at the Amble Inn for Midday - more later! - Rich (unable to ride but taking the pics!)

 Tim’s YETI at home in the snow!

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This is what arrived on my doorstep today - Craig and his new toy (built of course by Ben). It’s not really a pleasant site but the debris left by my front gate was enough to prove he had been out for a few hours (nobby no-mates today) - I guess when I am finally back in the saddle all you guys will be on singlespeeders and in training for 24hr nite rides.  Oh “blinglespeed” a term quite aptly penned by James on the board-

Great turnout on what was probably the wettest sunday for months -come back soon for pics and stories - including Tim (2) and the flying log (hope you’re feeling better mate!)

Our planned trip through two loops of singletrack was shelved for a more exciting trek up to Kimpton Woods and then through some of Mark and James well ridden routes (including Blairwitch Route) - thanks guys, no good me leading or we would be out all day for just 20k.

Joined by Newbies, Tim, Dan (far right and far left of picture above) we started by trying to knock out Tim with a makeshift swing which had been hiding in the entrance to the singletrack off Common Lane - hitting him square on the nose, he actually trusted me with my first aid kit (he will learn). At this stage the fairly dry and overcast weather was not slowing us down - that was in store later. 8 rode today and Dave R, Jorge and Bill missed out due to trains and travel problems. Neil. making a welcome return after nearly 2 months off kept the pace (which at times was challenging) - We hit the Rocky Road before the torrential rain started , this was saved for Whitwell Tower Hill where we rode up what seemed like a stream at times,plus I fell off. I will leave it for the guys to add their bits later , Oh I think we managed 22 mile, is that right?-cheers - Rich