Obsessive Cycling Disorder from OTT

A few of us met up at Batford Mill for the normal 9.30 departure and headed towards Wheathampstead via Nomansland. Unfortunately some of our newbies couldnt make it.  Simon demonstrated his “cat like agility” in bouncing of his bike during the first climb of the morning (to save further embarrassment I won’t quote where this was). A short blast down the Bunyon Gulley (the end of which has been sanitized by the 4X4 crew with hardcore) and across to the Brocket Estate.  To-days main hazards were walkers and runners (Well,the one Badbod spotted anyway), with one group with dogs on the Ayott Greenway being particularly obnoxious.  As we do (always) we slowed for a group of ladies walking their pampered pets, only to be shouted at as one canine took a dislike to another walkers dog and ran across in front of me, I was told to slow down (me!-slow down) and received a torrent of abuse about sharing the pathways- Madam, you’re the one who has to keep the dog under control, I had actually stopped to let them all pass anyway. I guess this is the privilege of always being at the back of the group.

The most important part of the trip was stopping at 11am for 2 minutes and reflecting on the more valuable things in the world! - Thanks Guys 2 hours plus of muddy fun! _Rich

Question of the day! ” Why do we clean our bikes before going out and getting them covered in c**p again?” 

OTT Riders - James (Singlespeed), Tim, Simon (Badbod) and Rich I

ayotgreenwaymap1.pdf

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

What really grinds my gears (Part 2)

Having had my cycling fix yesterday (Sat) with the hardcore “singlespeed” crew I found myself unusually in the car on a Sunday morning- I had to overtake 3 guys on MTB’s riding side by side- We moan when horse riders do this to us- so come on guys, use a bit of sense and avoid giving us “off roaders” a bad name and keep it singlefile on the public highway.

I did wait until I had gone past before I hit the horn and received a polite wave from the chap on the Marin FS.

Rich (Grumpy Old Git)