In Hertfordshire, we know how lucky we are to be surrounded by countryside teeming with trails, byways and bridleways. But have you ever explored it by bike? If you’re new to cycling – or just the local area – the idea of setting off on your bike alone can be intimidating. Riding with local group OTT Mountain Bike is safer and more fun. At the next Harpenden Sustainability Market on the 21st of September, you can come and chat with some of the members and find out how to join them on their next ride.
OTT was formed 20 years ago by founding member Richard to make it easier for cyclists to explore the surrounding area. Richard still runs the group, along with Martyn and Jason, and together they maintain the social media, website and bulletin notice board, where upcoming rides are promoted. More experienced riders take it in turn to lead rides.
You can join OTT most Sunday mornings, setting off from the meeting place in Coldharbour Lane, Harpenden. The rides are informal and there are few rules – all they ask is for riders to confirm on the notice board whether they’ll be joining.
The perfect Sunday morning motivation
So, if you’re interested in off-road cycling – or just curious about exploring the local countryside in an environmentally friendly way – then OTT’s group rides are the perfect starting point. Collective knowledge of local routes means there’s always somewhere new to explore. And it’s great for motivation too: knowing you’ve committed to riding can certainly help you get out of bed on a cold and wet Sunday morning!
The club has 10 to 15 regular riders, along with another 60 occasional riders. But as older members retire their bikes or move away, they’d love to meet new riders just as enthusiastic about exploring the local area.
Attending Harpenden Sustainability Market for the first time a few months ago, OTT were delighted to chat with people interested in the stand. They recruited new riders and also hope to motivate others to get on a bike again.
Every bike journey is a car journey saved
Unsurprisingly, OTT’s top eco tip is to ‘cycle, cycle, cycle’. They say, ‘every journey on a bike is a car journey saved, which reduces pollution, congestion and carbon emissions. The more cyclists there are on our roads, the better we can justify the facilities in terms of protected cycle lanes and secure storage facilities.’ They also say that being more visible on the roads means other road users get used to sharing the space – sometimes they can be surprised by cyclists on the roads.
And their favourite stallholders? ‘All of them!’ The group appreciates the individuals standing up for what they believe in and trying to change behaviour. As a result of these role models, they say, most people now accept that our behaviour has a lasting impact on the environment. And those who run a business that makes money at the same time should be applauded!
You can check out OTT Mountain Bike’s website for more information and visit their Facebook and YouTube profiles for inspiring posts and videos.
Join us at the next Sustainability Market on Sunday the 21st of September to discover OTT and other local eco and food stalls that promote a more sustainable lifestyle. Visit our markets page for the full schedule of dates.