A slight back issue has kept me away from the bike over the last week, but I couldn't resist getting out tonight for a brilliant ride in the rain and mud.
I did momentarily question my sanity as I was putting the cycle gear on, as the rain pelted against the roof light.
I have never really had an issue with setting out in the rain, as you are going to get wet and muddy at this time of the year anyway, so what the hell.
I was surprised by just how much flood water that there was, and almost regretted taking my usual stream crossing. I usually check the route prior to crossing it, as children often set up stones or sticks across it to make dams. Stupidly I didn't check tonight and just went for it. Somehow I made it up over the stones that had been laid across, but I won't be doing that again.
It was one of those rides where everything just clicked into place, and the Hutchinson tyres must have performed the best that they ever have. I was intentionally trying to hit as many off camber roots etc as I could, but as hard as I tried, the grip just didn't fail. I also have a habit of riding along as many narrow sections as I can to help improve balance and control, and again the tyres just stuck to the ground, as I intentionally tried to ride along the edges. I suspect that because everything was so rain washed, the grip on offer tonight could not of been better. It was one of those ten out of ten rides.