I have to say that a hybrid with 700c wheels, slick tyres and full mudguards is not suitable transport for ploughing through deep, wet, sticky, clayish mud that has been well stirred up by lots of farm machinery. I took a short cut this morning on my hybrid along a couple of miles of farm track. I do the ride fairly regularly. It is often a little muddy in places but can usually be got through. Not today though. I just couldn't move. The mud had built up under my mudguards (stupid name for them!) and actually stopped the wheels. As fast as I dug it out it built up again. In the end I gave it up as a bad job, slung the bike on my shoulder and legged it up the hill until I came to a bit where I could actually pedal. I had several inches of mud up to my ankles. Once I could pedal again I scraped off what I could and set off for a cafe for a much needed cuppa.
Tomorrow I have to clean the bike from top to bottom, clean my shoes and remind my wife to wash my tights.
Tomorrow I have to clean the bike from top to bottom, clean my shoes and remind my wife to wash my tights.