Obsessive Cycling Disorder from OTT

With an invite to stay on Shoreham Beach and with the South Downs being so close, I jumped at the chance to visit old friends over Easter weekend.
Of course, food & drink got the better of us most days and my mate declined the offer of a ride somewhere along the South Downs.

Not wanting to miss out entirely - I did take the Iron Horse after all - I opted for a nice solo ride up to Chanctonbury Ring.

Although fast in places, there was still lots of surface water making for some deep puddles and messy shoes if you got it wrong. The worst part was the deeply rutted section along Canada Bottom up to Cissbury Ring - Landrover territory for sure!
There weren’t a lot of bikes about but you certainly had to dodge the walkers who were out in force. I did find a nice fast bit of downhill which was fun so I blasted down then rode straight back up to continue my journey. As the Downs are so undulating, the climb up isn’t at all exhausting in comparison to the shorter, steeper climbs of Hertfordshire.

It was nice to finally reach Chanctonbury and look out at the sea below & behind me & view North from the top of the Downs. The North view is somewhat similar to being atop Dunstable Downs. I lapped the Ring, briefly stopped to watch a dark band of cloud and rain move over the view below and headed off again.
There was one other bike at the Ring and I did pass a few on my way back. Despite a tiny 30 second spatter of hail, the rest of the ride was dry and pleasant. Found another fast (but paved this time) farm track on the drop into Sompting which was good for 31+mph. It would have been faster if I knew what was round the corner!
Heading back on the black stuff, a guy who saw me behind him upped his pace somewhat. I sat a reasonable distance behind him then shot rapidly past him as we went over the railway. “Good ol’ Horse”, I thought to myself.
Back through Lancing and then Shoreham Beach approached once more. Well, at least I manage a pleasant 22 miler even if it was alone. Great to have a change of scenery too.  Time to load the bike up and head on home.

 The route                       

 Garmin Connect info

 Garmin Connect Player

Mark

Dave R and I Rich 1  managed the 20 miler today in a mix of sunshine and cloud - with only one technical (Dave’s puncture) and Captain Slow keeping the pace down   click for Nokia Sportstracker Route

7 of us arrived 9-30am at Batford mill but someone arrived with a puncture and forgot their hat so eventually we  followed the Nicky line to redbourn, then across the fields towards markyate down roe end lane to studham, around whipsnade zoo (only deer’s this time) to Dunstable downs/Bison hill, 2 guys slightly knackered stayed on the ridge and cycled to the kite centre and waited whilst eating all the food in sight. 5 went downhill, then one sneaky uphill and then a good blast down, finally a nice climb upto the kite centre. Probably the biggest OTT feast to date, burgers,sausages,chips the lot. Very nice too! Everyone needed to get back by then so we blasted down the lanes back to Harpenden via a flooded road nr the shooting ground 30 miles was the distance, very good effort from all the guys.

Jordon? unfortunately (accidentally) decided to take a swim in an over flowed river much to the amusement of me and the others.
Plenty of punctures, turned out to be a long ride with plenty of incidents, I was told off on the nicky line for going to fast, no joke 10mph! His dog was running faster.

Nice to meet some new chaps, who helped out! - Craig (extract from message board)

Taking our normal nite ride loop the evening started well with Dave and his new DX lights on his hardtail , James (singlespeed) and me (Rich) also sporting various DX stuff. The pace at the start was good (me at the back -of course). We headed towards Lamer Woods and  Ayot St Lawrence and the single track woods on to Water End - unfortunately Daves rather nice carbon XTR rear mech snapped leaving us with a quick technical mod to create yet another “singlespeed” (shorten chain etc), closely followed by me getting the mother of all thorns in the rear tyre(i know - i should have tubeless!). As this all happened close to the Greenway we decided to limp home (via the Amble Inn). Good ride and it was the technicals (not me) slowing us down for a change - Rich 1

link to ride  

It was wet:

Wetter than it looks above anyway.  My new trousers worked a treat, still dryish when I got back.

Route was a variation on the Tues night one.

A good turnout with some OTT newbies joining the crew for a tough 23 miles (although the map only shows 15.5). Leaving the mill at 9.30 we where joined by Dom and Jordan R(lowering the average age of the OTT riders) and also two local riders who knew the routes, Richard (yes another one) and Tom. With James, Tim. Simon , John and I we headed along the route taken with gang from MTBB last month. Dominics task was made harder by the fact he only had hybrid tyres on what turned out to be a very gloopy ride - Jordan (normally a roadie!) has turned from the dark side and met the challenging hills and technical loops as thought he had been riding them for years. The weather was great and helped make the day and enjoyable one finished by the mandatory pint at the Amble Inn (for the older guys anyway!)- Rich

Nokia Sportstracker lets try again!

Just your normal evening ride I guess - leaving Harpenden for Breachwood Green and an unplanned trek early evening - Craig and I started at Breachwood Green, me on my recently repaired stumpy (thanks Ben -great job) and Craig on the carbon thingy. It was my first proper ride for 3 weeks and Craig suggested an easy steady route - take a look at the map and see if you agree!.  Our route was littered with wildlife and the photos (although dissapointing qlty) demonstrating the geotagging feature on the nokia sportstracker (great software). With Craig following a Monkjack Deer down the first path we then meet a Stag and Herd of 12 on the run later . He was also attacked by some Pipistrelle Bats on the same track. Great fun for just under 11 miles!

Nokia Sportstracker

 After some very late arrangements, Roger (radiorog), Simon II (badbod99) & myself headed down to to Bury Road in Chingford to meet up with the Epping Forest Mountain Bike Riders.

We were there quite early and it was great to see the bikes keep coming in.  There were several other newbies out today bringing the total number of riders to 30. 

We started by climbing slightly across Chingford Plain before getting into the forest proper.  There were masses of trails with enough roots, branches and logs thrown in for good measure.  Some very deep mud, small crossings over stinky waterlogged ditches 3 feet or so wide and a generous helping of mechanical issues meant something was always happening.   The group was very friendly and quite a mixed bunch of characters.  The female members certainly rode as good if not better than many of the men out today. 

We proceeded to the Forest Gate Inn for some refreshments and a bite to eat for those feeling the hunger setting in.  It looked like the Inn had a better stock of bikes than Halfords by the time we had all arrived.  The only difference being these bikes needed a good clean! 

Inn

Back in the woods, assorted chains snapped, people got lost and regrouped.  It was inevitable really with the high number of riders participating.  We continued on our way and passed close by the fence of the Deer Sanctuary near Theydon Bois.  From here, the trails got more fun and I had a big ‘off’ whilst negotiating one of the small muddy crossings - my wheel dug in nicely in the deep mud, catapulting me clean over the bars.  Luckily I missed the worst of the wet stuff and had a soft landing remounted and riding in a matter of seconds.  I must have been the third to go ‘OTT’ so to speak.  After a final regroup, some of us opted to head back to Chingford as it was now 4pm+.  The ride back was via High Beach and some great trails which will be very fast in the summer.

 There was a great assortment of hardware from rigid 29er’s, singlespeeds, AM bikes and hardtails.  Something for everyone, that’s for sure. 

 <— click thumbnail for the route

 Overall, it was a great days riding and it opened up a lot of trails that only local knowledge can really reveal.  The Epping crowd were a very welcoming bunch and there’s some great riding to be had there.  Enough technical riding and fun to keep everyone at Batford well amused - try it one Saturday (there are Wednesday night rides too!)  

Many thanks to the group leaders and to all that made it such a great day out.  We will return.

Mark

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)