Articles written during January 2009
How to: Keep your bike clean in winter
Top tips for keeping you bike in running order over winter, by keeping it clean and the mud off.
Ride report: Wednesday 28 Jan – Ranmore and White Down loop
The Moles head out into the Surrey Hills after heavy rain to find mud, mayhem and a little bit of comedy on their night ride.
Where’s yer Skips Col?
Colin’s finger injury has been keeping him off the bike and the voice in his head doesn’t like it.
Reflections on light
The sky is getting brighter and lighter as late January sun gets Matt thinking about the summer in the Surrey Hills
Selle Italia Max Flite Gel Flow saddle review
The Selle Italia Max Flite Gel Flow saddle is a pretty clever piece of kit, but as this review shows, it doesn’t suit everyone.
Ride report: Sunday 25 January – Holmbury and Pitch Hill
Another muddy ride over the best of the Surrey Hills, although the conditions brought on brake pad and handlebar failures.
2009 Santa Cruz Blur XC Carbon
Is it all upside with the new Santa Cruz Blur XC Carbon? Well, it’s not a foregone conclusion.
Ride report: Wednesday 21 Jan – Headley MTB loop
Wet, windy and muddy conditions reassert themselves on the Surrey Hills
Peaslake Stores
Peaslake Stores has great home made food, including unusual deli offerings, a great location and best of all, real mugs for the tea.
Ride report: Sunday 18 January – Holmbury and Pitch Hill
Our Sunday ride takes us over the Pitch and Holmbury Hills for some great trails. Just don’t expect to do it relying only on a GPS!
Blackburn Mars 4.0 1W LED rear light review
The Blackburn Mars 4.0 puts out an astonishing amount of light from it’s 1W LED, here’s a review of what it has to offer.
Ride report: Wednesday 14 Jan – Norbury and Headley MTB loop
A Wednesday night ride with 12 riders, 16 miles and lots of draggy clay.
Return of the gloom
Winter riding is the perfect antidote to SAD depression and sloth. Exercise, company and fun, can’t be bad!
Upcoming.org
THe Muddymoles set up a mountain bike ride group on Upcoming.org to publicise their MTB rides
Ride report: Sunday 11 January – Bookham to Epsom Downs loop
The Muddymoles make a huge loop to Box Hill via Epsom Downs, Matt finds his mojo and after three weeks, the thaw sets in.
Intense Uzzi, Tracer VP and Spider 2 launched
A round up of the new Intense Cycles product range which now includes The Uzzi, Tracer VP and Spider 2.
How to: position your brake and gear levers
Getting your brake and gear levers properly aligned can make a massive difference to your riding control and comfort on a bike.
Ride report: Wednesday 7 Jan – Norbury Park MTB loop
Our weekly night ride took full advantage of the frozen conditions to pack a fast and furious punch round Norbury Park and Mickleham, finishing on Alsation.
Tips for buying a decent mountain bike (including Cyclescheme and Cycle2Work)
What should new riders (for example via Cyclescheme or Cycle2Work) look for when buying a good quality mountain bike, with particular advice for women cyclists.
Cycling, obesity and the government
Why the government’s anti-obesity campaign cannot work without an integrated approach to more exercise.
Ride report: Sunday 4 Jan – Bookham to Gatton Park loop
An interesting mountain bike route from Bookham to Gatton Park in Reigate, taking in Colley Hill and the North Downs Way.
Resolved, 2009
A light hearted look at plans mountain biking in 2009.
2009 bike mileage
A summary of miles ridden during 2009 covering several riders and bikes.
What Christmas gifts did you get this year?
We always have a list of new kit we want for our mountain bikes. What was in your stocking this year?