Ride report: Sunday 15 January – a short, wet ride in Surrey
There was no ‘official’ Mole ride on Sunday. The weather forecast for once proved reliable so most of us stayed in the burrow.
I too preferred to stay under the duvet but around lunchtime decided to venture out – partly to test out the waterproof properties of my new jacket (a Gore Bike Wear Power Trail Active shell) and partly to settle in my mind the relative benefits of my Marin Pine Mountain. Perhaps both of these will be subject to further posts individually but suffice to say the Gore is a very impressive piece of kit that kept me dry throughout and the Pine Mountain didn’t surprise.
I kept to a very simple route, eschewing anything approaching gnarr for a short 11 mile loop round Norbury with the aim of an hour’s exercise and nothing more.
The rain was persistent but not ‘that’ bad, but the trails were horrendous! Liquid mud in every direction meant splashing through the slop, most often sideways, getting drenched from the waist down with the wash from the front wheel. I finished the ride coming down Infestation but can’t say there was any satisfaction to be had – it was a slow speed affair looking out for the many wet roots that can be found along there.
The only upside was at least I went out. I passed several individuals and groups of trail runners, which appears to be becoming ‘a thing’ round here and on days like Sunday I can see the appeal – an hour or half-hour effort is probably giving the same bang for your buck as a whole morning for us (especially when cake is involved!).
Still, it’s now the start of the fourth week since the shortest day… summer is coming…
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.
There are 4 comments on ‘Ride report: Sunday 15 January – a short, wet ride in Surrey’
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Dandy says:
After four weeks (apparently) of below freezing temperatures, it’s back to the more normal bucketing down here in Vancouver. Bikes won’t arrive for another four weeks or so, maybe I’ll miss the worst of the mud ? Kudos for heading out though.
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Posted on January 17, 2017 at 3:08 am
Matt says:
You will at least be our go-to man for advice on waterproofs…
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Posted on January 17, 2017 at 11:46 am
James says:
Is that what is referred to in the trade as a stock photo? Looks more Orange than pine martin like.
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Posted on January 17, 2017 at 11:26 am
Matt says:
Yep!! it’s even marked ‘From the archive’ in the description when you click on it. TBH, I didn’t have any shots from Sunday but felt the post needed something 🙂
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Posted on January 17, 2017 at 11:45 am