This weekend sees my return to off roading — hoo-bloody-ray I hear everyone shout. I’m looking forward to it immensely as for the past six weeks I’m been living off a diet of slick-tyred road action, a bit of running and latterly a return to my weekly hour long swimming lessons.

Actually I feel quite fit but as we all know there’s no real substitute for miles in the saddle. Apart from a certain amount of looseness in my AC joint (caused by the ligaments being over stretched during the accident), I’ve pretty much made a full recovery even if the X-ray last week still showed plenty of sharp ends sticking out. There’s bone healing, that’s the main thing and I’m told the redundant ends basically disappear after a year or two. Weird.

So, despite the severity of the break it looks as though I got away with it, although I’m mindful of what the paramedic said to me at the time — you’re never really the same again. But, I am Lazarus, come from the dead, as Prufrock may once lovingly have said.

Worthy of more respect this weekend though is Jez. He’s gone and signed himself up for a solo Dusk ’til Dawn (D2D) in Thetford Forest and were it not for my injury and wedding anniversary getting in the way I’d probably have joined him. As it is, despite having age, fitness and riding skill on his side I’d still like to wish him the best of luck. Go Jez!

I’m looking forward to reading his report of the event at any rate.

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.