With holiday season here only two of us made the sedate ride of 17 miles through the villages. Paul (aka Moggy) and I left the mill and managed the lowest pace of the year (7.5mph). We headed towards Kimpton Woods where we did our good deed for the day and reunited “molly” the spaniel with her owner. We avoided the Rocky Road and sped through Whitwell up Water Tower Hill in anticipation of an early pint (or half as it turned out). With the infamous Sportstracker app on my Nokia 5800 still in limbo between BETA and FINAL version I am unable to upload the route, however give the KML file a go in Google Earth* and try the great “Flight Simulator” option from the tools menu - its fantastic (*open Google Earth first and then import the file)- fly over the villages. - Rich

KML file for google earth 

www.dropoffcafe.com

PICTURES CAN BE FOUND HERE 

LtoR- Rich (Capt), James, Mackie,Anna,Luke,Simon,Anters,Clay,John & Kev 

Friday - expecting to be charged £10.90 for the bridge and actually being charged £5.90 - result!  Reduction in the cost per person, down to £11 instead of £12.00.

Arriving at site to be greated by midges from hell, worse than the Scottish ones I remembered from my youth (probably not, but hey.)  The cafe was shut so an impromptu gathering on the balcony was in order, fortunately midge free.  A number of beers and a few stories were swapped.

A reasonable nights sleep in the tent, fortunately Mark brought a huuuge supply of ear plugs so all external noise was banished for me anyway.

Earlyish start to find that the cafe didn’t serve food until 9.00am, from 8:30ish most of us had ordered breakfast and were waiting, drinking tea, or fancy coffee in Rich’s case!    Breakfast’s of gargantuan proportions eventually arrived, ready fuelled for the day on the bike we went off to get ready, noting the rain had stopped.

First climb following the Whites route, I have found out was 6km long, I will check my GPS when I get the chance.  About half way up we re-grouped on a fire-road, and waited, and waited, and waited, the midges were becoming unbearable by this time.  Turns out Mackie had a mechanical, and his newly bike shop set-up Cove had a un adjusted front mech, so was thowing the chain of the granny ring.  Our resident bike guru James eventually had it sorted with the limited tools available, so off we went.

Up the remainder of the 6km to the top, through “Dastardly and Muttley”, another really enjoyable climb, another regroup about half way up in a break in the trees to be eaten by midges again.  Eventually all of us made it to the top, the weather was great and the views were fantastic

Now on to the serious downs, with little bits of climbing.  Something for all abilities, a personal favourite was the wood work section.  Some great woops, and slabs, my newly tubeless front wheel not working, so I used 3 CO2 canisters to get me to the bottom, while I was stopped topping my wheel up, Kev had a go at a tricky step on a slab and went over the bars, no harm done, except to his bike, a broken brake lever, and an interesting final descent.

Fighting the midges - above  -Re-group at the bottom, huge grins all round.  I topped up my front wheel again, short spin back to the campsite for lunch.  Gave up with my front wheel and stopped to put a tube in, thanks to Luke for pumping it up with his hand pump.

Arrived just in time as Tim and Roger had arrived and were about to set off on their own.  We stopped for lunch at the cafe, some of even had a beer (I can certainly recommend the Weissbeer), more huge portions and we were ready for the afternoon.

Rich decided his back had had enough, and Kev’s bike needed a new brake, so were two down.  Decided we would to the Wall from the other trail centre, while we waited for Anna to get a new front mech fixed (the other mechanical of the morning), James made a tit (OTT speak) of himself by wheelying himself onto the gravel path, fortunately his armour saved most of him, still a nastly gash on his elbow tho’

So, 7 miles flat spin (okay slightly down hill) to the start of the Wall, and then what seemed like miles and miles of fireroad, lots of closed sections, and we were all getting tired and didn’t fancy the 7 miles slightly uphill back, so we option to finish on Whites instead of the wall, so did most of the same down we did in the morning, still awesome!   Only mechanical was Anters getting a puncture.

Saturday finished and we were all well and truly kanckered, 28miles overall, or 21 taking off the spin to the other centre, small distance, big climbs.

Saturday evening in the cafe was very subdued, a few beers, not much talk and early to bed (for some of us anyway-R)

Sunday, weather was very overcast, we decided to do the big one, the Skyline, Mackie had had enough, fair play did the whole of Saturday, so stayed at the campsite to drink coffee and watch the sport, Rich’s back still not good, but Kev’s bike had as brand new brake fitted.

Of we went, same climb as Whites, which I led, and to my utter amazement set a reasonable pace and didn’t hold James, Tim and Clay up who were following.  Same regroup area, and then up to the top, again I managed to get to the front and led the lead party up.  Weather was getting very blowy by this time, so out came the outers.  More fire-roads, and up into the mist as the rain started coming down.  Lots of the Skyline singletrack seemed to be closed (or maybe that was just me?), so we diverted onto fireroads which was getting tiresome, especially as the rain was really coming down.

Regroup after some singeltrack, Riding High if I remember, and some lunch, so all the bars, cakes etc, were scoffed at great speed. 4 ramblers came to look at the view (approx 50m of mist!), must have thought we were bonkers.  Of again and more single track, On the Edge, really exposed, and if there was no mist I’m sure would’ve been a great view too.  Anters had another puncture and ripped his tyre, which took time to fix, more standing around in the rain!

More fireroad, and now it was begining to get tiresome, we did manage to buzz the ramblers on a fireroad down tho’, we were all wet and  covered in fireroad grime, so we missed a section, and followed yet more diversions.

Eventually we hit some single track, and I had a serious moment where I didn’t have any brakes, ended much faster than I intended through a section, Tim seemed impressed tho’ .  Changed pads at the end of that section, Clay did the same after scrounging some pads from John who happened to have the same type.  At this point the map had almost disintegrated in the rain, but James informed us that we had “the longest singletrack descent in the U.K.” to finish.

Off we went, the first part was called Joyrider, very enjoyable, next was yet more fire road, this time so steep we all used granny to get up it, this was on the bit of the map which had gone, which is why James had missed it.  Anyway final descent, was worth all the wet and misery, fast, technical, slabs, steps, it had it all, a joy to ride (what a pun!).  I have been told that the big steps bit had a skull and cross bones on it, I missed it, I was concentrating so hard.

Anyway, regroup at the campsite, coffee and cake and off home about 4.

Quiet time in the bus on the way back, until about 30 miles from St. Albans the power steering went, I managed to nurse it back to James’ to drop everyone off, and then back to mine, which took a huge effort to get into my drive, partly because my arms hurt so much from the final descent.

Fantastic weekend, and I WILL be going to Wales again. - Blog from Simon

Take a look a YOUTUBE video added by Rich (not by OTT) - click here

Link to MTB Wales details of the trails -  click here 

Tuesday - starting with James (not so surprise) drinks at the Amble on Tuesday night. I’m not sure who had the thickest head, James or me - but the BBQ and chips went down quickly. (see pics below-soon)

Friday - departure for sunny Wales (huh!). The A team departed at 2.30 and after an enjoyable 7 hours (mostly on the M25) John, Clay and I arrived at 9.45, with the Sunny Bus (Simon,James, Anna, Anters, Mackie & Mark S, leaving at 6pm they managed to arrive just a couple of hours later - Luke (James bro) was already at the site.

Saturday  - we were joined by Tim and Roger at lunchtime after our morning ride taking the Whites Level route (some great vids on youtube)

OTT riders -why not fill us in with the rest of the details

We had a few technicals on the way - Kevin has found the hidden strength in his legs to break a chain (on a downhill-that’s impressive?) which the now renamed “speedy daz” repaired in under 3 minutes, not bad going. With all the debate about tubeless Craig managed to discover another reason for going back to tubes when his tyre split and the repair kit supplied by Richard left some of us covered in the white stuff - otherwise known as latex (schoolboy humour)- With both Craig and I managing to leave the saddle during a fast downhill (he was so far in front he managed to get back on before anyone realised) and Capt Slow needed help from Tom and Paul-thanks guys.

I have noticed the pace has increased since Anna joined our ranks - welcome to OTT!

The route was plotted on the new style SPORTSTRACKER which Paul and I are struggling with - why have NOKIA decided to change this? - I will upload a route which can possibly be viewed on GOOGLE EARTH (now on website under rides) if I can fathom it out or until the NEW SPORTSTRACKER site is up and running.

A great day out, shame we didnt get the chance to all go back to the Pub -so thanks for the drinks Richard & Craig……..

Rich 1 (Capt Slow - but getting quicker)

A major shock was in store for the OTT riders when I managed to hit 26mph on a short XC route leading the pack (for a short while) I wont publish how Tim described my sudden burst of speed.

Only two other small events with a dog walker confused over Public Right of Way and Public Footpaths (we where on the PROW) even though we stopped for polite conversation it didn’t stop Mrs Angry of Kimpton -her border collie didn’t seem to upset however. I do have to apologise to the horse rider on the Bridle Way heading towards the Blue Cross complex as I was travelling far too quick down the hill, a less experienced rider and a younger horse would have possible had a different outcome- sorry! (magura brakes to the rescue again!).

I have posted the NOKIA route which stated average route speed of 10mph and both other Garmins stated over 11.2mph I would like to think that this was one of our quicker rides (thanks to Tim and Matt)

NOKIA SPORTSTRACKER 

John’s day had started also with a blown tubeless (there’s a message here), however this was at 8.45 when the OTT support vehicle (me in the Touran) went to collect him and drop of at the Mill - At around 11.30 on the ride John had a spill grazing his face and leg, nothing a Pint (?) couldn’t resolve later in the Amble.

It was great to see such a turnout both on the Ride (thanks to James for the tour) and also in the Amble Inn after. With such a large group it was going to be difficult to to ensure the pace suited all, however I hope it does not put anyone off coming again. I am glad the sight of the motley OTT regulars ( i can’t be rude about other newbies until you have been out a couple more times) did not put off Anna from coming along - It looks like Craig and James are going to have some competition on the hill climbs! or any of the other newbies…

I hope I have not missed anyone else from the list of names (Kevin, Martin etc) so feel free to add your views/stories to the board!

OTT - Rich 1, Tim, James, Mark, Dave,Tom,

      click on pics to enlarge

Garmin (Full route from Clay) - click here

Garmin (Route from Tim ) - click here 

Nokia Sportstracker Route (incomplete) - click here

Having a nasty off last month encouraged me to look at tubeless tyres (having shredded the s-works) - with some advice from Ben and some research I opted for a lesser known brand GEAX. Probably best recognised for budget tubes this brand from Thailand has some great support in the pro xc field, so I opted for the 2.10 BARRO TNT (mountain) with the GEAX tubeless system. The tyre is fairly light and has an unusually rounded profile,unlike the Specialized (Capt Controls SW + Controls) and Panaracer Fire Mountain I have used in the past -Having now run with them for over 100k in both wet and dry these are superb tyres for all types of terrain-

The grip is superb and my cornering has improved as a result -

I know tyres are a personal thing, but give these a go, they are well worth it. Take a look at the message boards, it seems as though GEAX are on to a winner with their TNT system- The only small negative is their appearance - the grey colour and the two tone finish which is not perfectly in line on the tyrewall does make it look blown (take note GEAX some riders do worry about appearance)

Take a look at the GEAX site 

Reviews on MTB site