What a way to end a year and start a new one. 2007 is definitely the winner in the ‘Top 100 worst Christmases ever’ award – you can catch it on telly sometime soon.

After struggling with a virus for most of December that left me feeling below par and a cough that was beginning to feel it was part of my personality, I thought I’d finally shaken it with an 18 mile ride on the Sunday just before Christmas. At least it wasn’t stopping me doing anything right? Oh that things could be that simple.

Christmas Day with my wife’s family and for the first time ever my mother-in-law actually admitted to feeling under the weather. Actually she said she felt terrible. To say that was out of character is an understatement akin to saying that it seems like everybody involved in competitive cycling is doping.

Then my wife and I, from Boxing Day onwards started to feel pretty rough too, as did a good proportion of the key players in my wife’s family (the women) and a few of the hangers on (like me). For the 9 days since, up until today I’ve been the owner of a septic lung, inhabiting a plague house with my two children and my wife who if anything has been feeling worse than me. Only now have I been able to share our pain with my readers… imagine trying to keep a four year old and a two year old entertained when you and your wife really do feel they’re about to die.

New Year’s Eve saw me in bed early, not in a manner to fulfill my puerile fantasies about the best way to see in the New Year, but with fresh antibiotics and steroids from the doctor and a cup of lemsip.

Although we’re still not right, we’re improving. But it’s wrecked my cycling plans for Christmas, stopped me blogging and most importantly stopped me from enjoying the break with my family.

Here’s to an improving 2008!

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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.