Well, I had planned a bit more activity, both written and riding over the Christmas and New Year period, but alas no.

Events, as always, have conspired against me so instead of an enjoyable dinner party with close friends tonight I’m sitting here writing the last post of the year and hoping for no repeat of last night which had me nursing a (very) sick child in the small hours of one of the coldest nights of the year. Yuk.

So I wish you a Happy New Year and draw a line under 2008. Over the next few days I’ll look back to some of the highs and lows of mountain biking in the Mole Valley and try and anticipate what 2009 will bring. It’s a testament to how enjoyable and varied the whole cycling scene is that I can still find things to want to do, want to own and most importantly want to write about.

Thanks as always to our group of riders who’ve made the year for me, including a steady stream of new and occassional riders. As Colin mentioned in his previous post, getting together for lunch (ie, in daylight hours and without bikes) served to underline what a good bunch I hope we all are. And that’s was without five members of our ‘core’ team who couldn’t make it due to family committments.

Here’s to 2009. Keep riding.

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.