So for once I’ve managed to keep my leg over on a regular basis while others around me have fallen or refused at the first hurdle!

The trails are heading towards wintery and for me it can’t happen soon enough. I hate this thin layer of mud that is currently sitting over the still hard base layer of soil or chalk. The leaves don’t make it easy either, covering a multitude of hazards.

I’m not really moaning though as it certainly adds some excitement to riding. I changed the tyres on the singlespeed last week over to some Continental Vapor 29ers, (or indeed 28″ers as they are defined as – sort out a standard definition someone!) to see if they would fair better for punctures than the Kenda Nevegals that On-One supply with the bike.

The Nevegals are great, grippy tyres but a tad too thin for my liking. First ride with the Vapors seems confident under slippery conditions, so fingers crossed as my other two bikes are Continental Vertical shod – it’ll be good to keep it in the family, so to speak.

Night riding continues to add an interesting aspect to familiar trails. Recently, especially as Matt ‘I want at least 50 miles this week’ has been otherwise engaged we’ve managed a few short sprints for our night rides instead of the 20 mile, battery draining slogs that had started to become the norm over summer. Wiggly Wood, at night, ridden in both directions continues to provide a thrill of tight, obstacle strewn singletrack, ridden fast with lighting (OK, so my lighting is pretty bright!)

All that remains is to get Mark’s new 456 out of my garage and into his shed so he can ride again… or maybe we’ll just have to accept he’s a bit ‘casual’ about this riding lark? ;o)

About the author

Dave's been riding seriously since about 1997 and is one of the founding Molefathers — along with Matt and Mark — that came up with the idea of a MTB website for Mole Valley riders.

He's had several different bikes but it's now mainly 29ers in Dave's stable, apart from an Orange 5.

Current Bikes: Orange 5, Salsa Spearfish and Kona Big Unit