Getting ready for the mud
How to prepare for a wet trail ride
Let’s face it, mud happens! And for some, that’s half the fun of riding off a tarmac surface. Riding in wet conditions can actually be a confidence-building experience, but there are a few things we can do to get ourselves and our bikes all set to embrace the wetter side of green laning.
Prepare yourself
You don’t have to be hard-core to enjoy riding in wetter conditions! Keeping yourself as comfortable as possible is important – not just for enjoying your day, but to maintain your concentration and energy levels.
One of the benefits of trail riding is that it’s physically active, so in the colder weather, it’s surprising how warm you can become. In terms of clothing, layers are the way to go.
Wicking base layers avoid clinging wet underlayers which can make your skin cool fast during road sections. Waterproof textile touring gear is tough enough to protect against overhanging foliage and offer abrasion-resistant protection on the roads as well.
Keeping the little bits warm
Anyone who has ridden motorcycles in colder weather knows the misery of icy hands and feet.
Bulky winter gloves don’t give enough feel on the controls, so look for lightweight waterproof options and carry a spare pair of gloves in your backpack in case your first pair get saturated. Heated handlebar grips can also be a really nice addition, especially on cold mornings and chilly road sections.
Some riders swear by waterproof boots, others prefer to go with waterproof socks. One thing is for sure though – if the water goes over the top of your boots, you will get wet feet. A spare pair of socks isn’t a bad idea.
Our neck contains major blood vessels close to the skin so if it is exposed, we can get cold very quickly. A lightweight neck gaiter or balaclava helps you stay comfortable.
Prepare your bike
Having the bike well-sorted helps increase our confidence for tackling more slippery conditions.
Tyres are important. On dry trails, a dual-purpose road/trail tyre might cope, but in muddy conditions and on slippery grass or ruts, we need a chunkier tread to provide more grip. The deeper tread digs into the soft ground to provide traction, and more widely spaced knobs will clear the mud from the tread, avoiding mud ‘slicks’ that just spin up on a slippery surface. The knobs around the side of the front tyre are critical for giving you the stability to steer and hold your line.
Tyre choice is always a compromise – knobbly tyres are less comfortable and offer less grip on the road but are essential for riding in muddy off-road conditions.
Cleaning and checking the bike is also vital, especially the brakes and drive chain, which can get clogged with mud and dirt. Make sure all your controls are clean, lubricated and set up so that you can comfortably use them when standing up as well as sitting down.
Prepare for the trails
Rain – and even early morning dew - will change the surface of the trails. Grass, roots and rocks become slippery, and dust turns to mud. Chalk and clay become notoriously slick and wet leaves add a slippery hazard to watch out for.
It can seem like fun to splash through puddles, but they may have hidden depths – so approach with caution. Water filled ruts can be deep, and often you can’t see whether the bottom of the puddle is a firm surface, sticky mud, or is hiding rocks, branches or bricks.
Trainers Louise and Paul share the following tips about handling your bike in wet conditions:
 Mud, mud glorious mud… Light, LIGHT hands; heavy, HEAVY legs. The LIGHTER your hands, the less you will fight the bike. The HEAVIER your legs, the more contact you have to steer the bike from the footpegs.
Don’t be scared of the bike moving underneath you or sliding to the side. The bike wants to track forward. Stay relaxed and balanced.
Constant throttle. Control the speed of the bike with the clutch. Giving it a handful of throttle in the sloppy mud causes the bike to jerk around and tips you off-balance. Regulate your speed with a smooth clutch.
Back brake first, then finish with the front. It keeps the bike even, smooth and in control. But remember the back brake doesn't stop you; it stabilises you. You still need the front to finish the job off.  Ruts, ruts glorious ruts… Nothing quite like them for clenching our butts.
Look ahead…way ahead… Keeping your eyes up helps you stay balanced (trapeze artists don't look at the rope - they look at the end.) Whatever rut you're in, stay in it. 90 per cent of the time it will not be any better than the one next to it. Just choose well before you enter it. Looking up and further ahead gives you more choosing time.
 For us, it’s all about teaching the techniques that make the bike and YOU as balanced and agile as possible. If you want to come and train with us, then pop your name on our Priority Email List for 2027 Training dates in Hertfordshire & Wales. https://form.jotform.com/253574634340356 www.louiseandpaul.co.uk hello@louiseandpaul.co.uk 07850 906399 |
Reading the trails
Take it slowly so you have time to assess what’s coming up, and don’t worry if you need to stop to choose an approach to a rutted section or obstacle. Don’t be scared to call it. If a trail has become waterlogged or deeply rutted, it may be better to leave it for another time.
Reading the trail, anticipating what’s coming up and finding the best line through is something that develops with experience – and often the most effective riders in wet weather aren’t the boldest, but those who can plan ahead and pick the best lines.
Wet weather can bring some of the most rewarding trail riding. Prepare for your ride carefully and take it gently.
If you’d like a bit of extra confidence to get going this autumn, take a look at our ride dates and join us to explore in the wetter half of the year.
