Here’s a new term I’ve just come across which has nothing to do with gulling or dogging much to Lee and Colin’s disappointment I expect.

Lamping – the act of using bright lights to stun local wildlife – has raised it’s ugly face in of all places Shalford near Guildford according to Surrey Police who have just nabbed two men using the technique to go poaching in the woods.

I’m worried for us. Could we be accused of lamping while we’re out on our regular night rides in the Surrey Hills, running an average 600 plus lumens on our handlebars? At times I’ve been known to startle a badger or two and I’m worried that we’ll be the focus of lamping vigilantes or concerned animal lovers or fall the wrong side of the law.

And what if bearding becomes outlawed too, then we’re all in trouble if the act of stroking one’s metaphorical beard while discussing bike builds gets associated with anti social behaviour. It’s actually pretty marginal now.

The world spins and the world moves on. What will it be next?

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.