The other day an article popped up in my newsfeed outlining the true cost of a latte every morning on the way to work.

Now, first of all, this article was in $ but it does go to show the stupefying effects of compound interest over the course of 25 years in a very effective way. It got me thinking – just how much does our beloved ‘sport’ cost us when calculated over the long term?

I didn’t waste too long thinking about it though, and not just because I struggle with any number I can’t count using fingers and toes. Any costs from riding our mountain bikes round the Surrey Hills have to be offset against the actual pleasure derived from pursuing our chosen activity, the health benefits, the mental and social benefits and so on.

Besides, what’s the point of being able to enjoy a comfortable retirement if you’ve missed out on a whole heap of fun at Leith and Holmbury along the way?

So, I might scale back on the coffee but not my bike bling!

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.