No, for a change this is not an oblique and totally opportunistic chance to slur Dave again.

Instead, it’s a nod to the fact that it actually seems quite windy out there.

I mention it because tonight the Moles are meeting up for a night ride around the Surrey Hills. Since time is limited, we’re sticking to our local patch, starting from the chip shop next to the Esso garage in Bookham (just to torment ourselves with the smell of fresh chips and batter) and then heading over Polesden way to Ranmore and who knows where?

I was in Redhill over lunchtime today and couldn’t help notice how strong the wind is despite the generally fine weather. That aside, I’m looking forward to bagging another 20 odd miles on what are fast becoming dusty trails with the Inbred which should bring my total this week up to just over 40 miles.

Slowly but surely I feel my fitness is returning and with trips planned to Bedgebury and Afan in South Wales I’m going to need it. So many times I’ve found the only way to really get fit for Mountain Biking is to actually get some miles on the bike. As a rule of thumb I reckon averaging 60 miles a week off road gets you pretty fit but sustaining that over two or three months is the hard part.

Ride your bike and get fit. Who’d have thought it?

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About the author

Matt is one of the founding Molefathers of the Muddymoles, and is the designer and main administrator of the website.

Having ridden a 2007 Orange Five for many years then a 2016 YT Industries Jeffsy 29er, he now rocks a Bird Aether 9 and a Pace RC-627.

An early On-One Inbred still lurks in the back of the stable as a reminder of how things have moved on. You can even find him on road bikes - currently a 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105 SE, a much-used 2011 Specialized Secteur and very niche belt drive Trek District 1.

If you've ever wondered how we got into mountain biking and how the MuddyMoles started, well wonder no more.