So the countdown begins here. Christmas is now just 24 days away which means although I’ve budgeted for my wife’s Christmas present, I’d better get spending. My enthusiasm is tempered by a head cold which has been threatening for a week or so and has finally come out.

It’s not bad, but niggling and I’m not best pleased at the way it’s kept me from riding. Or is it the terrible weather we’ve been treated to recently. Whatever, bah humbug!!

That aside, it was nice to mark a milestone in Dave’s life over the weekend with plenty of good company, good food and drink to ease the pain of another notch on the birthday belt. At least the singlespeeding lark has seen him reach the end of another year fitter than he started it.

I’ve still got six months to go to be able to make the same claim so I need to turn things round. I’ve been surprised at how the three months out with injury has had an increasing impact over the weeks. At first I felt fine but feel as though I’ve slipped back from there. Maybe bad habits and lack of riding fitness has worn me out as the weeks have gone on.

At least the good thing about Christmas is the chance to put together a wish list. Back in March my birthday list included a new helmet (check), 661 knee pads (check), magazine sub (check), helmet light (check) and clothing. This time round I’ve put in a request for a rear light (the Blackburn Mars 4.0 eye waterer), some white ODI lock on grips (I know, they’ll be brown after one ride), an Embers Merino base layer and some kind-of-olive-colour Sombrio Rogue cycle shorts. Plus I’ve supplied a whole list of Sombrio T-shirts for those away from the bike moments.

My list would have included a new wheelset for my road singlespeed I keep threatening to build (that’s slowly coming together) and a new bolt through front wheel and Reba fork for my On-one upgrade planned for next year. But I’ve focussed on practical stuff first as being the main things that would prevent me riding through the winter. I’ll just have to start budgeting for the big stuff myself.

If I hadn’t blown wedge on winter tyres (that keep cutting) and trashed my rear mech I’d be a bit further down the upgrade path by now!

I told you, bah humbug!!

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.