[Closed] Fed up with all the mud - think I am becoming a roadie

No. Not at all, really. I find road riding mind-numbingly, spirit-crushingly tedious. Lets be honest: giving you drive chain a quick clean to get the mud off when you get home, is hardly a major chore. The rest of it can stay muddy. Who cares?

Come away from the light................... (its the lycra calling)

No not at all I was a roadie for many years in my youth, now in my late 40s MTb has made me remember what fun bikes are, its just pissing about in the woods with your mates, no more no less to me! Just like being 12 (but with a better bike)

Anyone else feeling the same way?

This forum seems to be mostly populated by roadies these days.

I still keep it real by mountain biking on the couple of occasions a month when the weather is half decent and I'm not busy. 🙂 🙁

I lost interest in bikes for a good 18 months ages ago and all that came from road biking. I lost my mojo cos it sucked at my very soul as it was no fun. Just road after road of peddling. Few mates got me back out the mtb one (muddy) afternoon and & the time of my life

ps - do agree with the mud being too much at the moment but that's more the cost of crunching of gears

I began feeling that way about 4 years ago after 18 years of mountain biking. I was also getting sick of the whole scene that went with mountain biking especially the need to finish every ride in the pub necking back the calories you'd just burned off; most of my mountain biking buddies seemed to have beer bellies.

Acquiring a road bike was like starting cycling all over again; I just regret that I didn't start doing it earlier because I'm a hell of a lot fitter now than I've ever been and I would have done so much better at events like Polaris during those years. Only last Saturday my cycling buddy and I were cruising along a road in the Bowland Fells and we both marvelled aloud at the stunning scenery and how lucky we are to be able to ride to places as beautiful as that straight from our front doors with no need to drive.

Then to get home and only need to wipe the bike down with a damp cloth then head up for a shower was a bonus. My chain has lasted 4500 miles so far and is around half worn and the rest of the bike including brake blocks is as new.

I cycle road and mtb - whats problem with doing both when I want? Just back from mountain marathon I enjoy that to.

globalti - To be honest with you, I can't see the strapline - [b]Start road riding. We don't go to the pub[/b] going down a storm around here 😀

absolutely, I barely did any riding over the winter. Combination of moving form a house to a flat and just the constant never ending circle of riding then bike and kit washing.

I took up running instead, lost about two stone in the process. Have to say though, although there are times when I enjoy running, it's never the same. In fact recently I've been wanting to ride my bike more and run less (bike is out of action at the minute waiting for parts). But if nothing else the running has given me a sound base fitness to help my riding. Just hoping we see some good weather so I can make the most of it!

Commute daily, ride road and mtb, and to the shops. Was muddier after yesterday's sportive than two hours in Swinley last Sunday. It's all cycling...and all fun!

Nearly an hour in and no-one's suggested singlespeeding yet? Quel le ferk?

I've been riding road too, for the shorter rides that can't justify the cleaning up afterwards but I've been enjoying my singlespeed commuter (MTB with slicks and running 50:18) far more than my road bike despite it being about 2mph down every time.

I do both, would be stupid to give up one to dedicate myself exclusively to the other.

I ride bikes to ride bikes, not to talk about bikes or drink beer or dig jumps etc.

And i hate mud.

Road riding is about riding, however big a gear whore you are you can't hide being crap. It's an honesty missing from MTB these days.

As someone else on here said, its not a job.. you do it for fun, if there's no fun in it, do something else...
Wise words IMO...

Are you saying we all spank money on expensive, unnecessary bling that will in some small way compensate for our essential rubbishness? I've never been so insulted in all my....erm.... oh wait.... erm... sorry... as you were 😀

Road riding is about riding, however big a gear whore you are you can't hide being crap. It's an honesty missing from MTB these days.

But why does it matter if you're crap if you're having fun?

Well, all my mtb'ing is done on a singlespeed as it's the only "proper" mtb I've ever had. I also commute 100 miles a week fixed. And ride to the shops on a nice ladies Dutch roadster. All cycling is good.

Got back yesterday covered in sweat and mud and nettle rash and blood. Its all good... 😀

the best bit it the beer afterwards 8)

Bloody roads are muddy round here too. So just ride a bike, any bike.

I'm never complaining about mud again after spending the weekend at the Silverversone F1.

Doing more road miles these days, but its more because I can ride straight from the front door.

I know how you feel. It's bleddy depressing. I keep soldiering on but I think the mud is winning. I don't mind getting pooh-high, it's the time spent cleaning the bike that narks me. I even had to vac the mancave because of the mud from Saturday nights jaunt!

Oh for a life without the need for mudguards!

Sorry to moan, heads in a dark place at the mo.

I think a lot of the problem here is people not heeding these words of wisdom from binners

giving you drive chain a quick clean to get the mud off when you get home, is hardly a major chore. The rest of it can stay muddy. Who cares?

If you think your bike has to be as spotlessly shiny as many of the ones people post pictures of in here then no wonder you CBA mountain biking any more.

I do both mtb and road on the same bike....when its really muddy I just pick out the best of the worst trails, then throw in some country lanes and cycle routes...

Its all riding to me, no matter what surface, distance, route or bike....I just keep spinning! 😉

Ya know I'm with you on this one. I can just about stick a winter of mud but not a summer as well. The whole point of grinding your way through a winter of mud is popping out fitter in the spring and enjoying the fast dry trails at extra fitness. Enjoying my road time at the moment getting more miles with less time in the saddle - the MTB fitness will benefit when I get back on it.

I think it also depends where you live. Where I am it the mud just gets almost unrideable in places that isn't any fun. It's not one of those lovely rocky places that gets wet but not really deep gloopy mud.

I'm never complaining about mud again after spending the weekend at the Silverversone F1.

Ahh I was there that was NOTHING compared to a muddy Glasto.

I am loving road riding - 2hr time slot means 1hr 50 riding time and 5 mins either end to get dressed/fill bottle/etc

My fitness as a result is the best its been for a few years - i can now ride most stuff without the need for a granny ring on the mtb and feel loads stronger.

Road for fitness, MTB for fun

Grum - this comes from years of experience riding around East Lancs, dreamily looking forward to the 3 rides* a year where my bike won't get absolutely coated in utter filth

FFS You lot! You [i]can[/i] leave your bike covered in shite. It won't dissolve, you know!!!

* Now apparently curtailed to 1 ride per annum

But why does it matter if you're crap if you're having fun?

It doesn't matter, but i want to go for a ride not stand around chatting all day. If you ride normally you get fitter, just seems these days more and more ride but never try so don't get fitter. Which means rather than less talking more riding, nothing changes which gets annoying when the weather is crap.

FFS You lot! You can leave your bike covered in shite. It won't dissolve, you know!!!

The local mud means i need to keep the bike reasonably clean to stop the build up within 100m

Road riding is generally a lot of fun but sucks when it's wet or when you crash.
MTBing is generally a lot of fun but sucks when it's wet or you crash.
Both generally improved by riding with mates.

Road riding is just so much more convenient and easy - as the OP says.

Can go directly from house, instead of loading bikes onto roof each and driving 20-30mins to trails.

Doesn't require complete wash down, clean, relube after every ride...

And I hate crunching through expensive XTR stuff in the flag (summer clag!) that our trails are at this time of year.

Besides, life is too short for just one type of riding anyway... to those who berate roadies, well, it's a little one-dimensional to only ever ride MTB is it not?

As your MTB cup runneth over, why not try road?

Me - I count myself as a "Cyclist" rather than a "MTBer"... I ride most things with 2 wheels and pedals.

It doesn't matter, but i want to go for a ride not stand around chatting all day.

Why bother going for a ride with other people then? Ride on your own and you'll never have to stand around waiting for someone.

FWIW I like riding my road bike for some of the above reasons, but bike cleaning doesn't really come into it.

As above, I clean the chainset and I also wipe the fork stanchions as soon as I get back, that's its.

Leaving my kit to dry, then brush the mud off once its dry! 🙂

As a lot of people on here know, one thing the Wyre Forest is not short of and that's MUD'!

I've found myself riding at Hamsterley more often with all the bad weather as it's fairly weather proof.

Loads of the local trails have taken a battering from the rain and are mud baths or getting damaged badly so I've steered clear until the weather improves.

Why bother going for a ride with other people then? Ride on your own and you'll never have to stand around waiting for someone.

Don't mind it a bit, but some rides end up going no where, because people don't check bikes, routinely break things, have no fitness and make no effort to improve etc.

Lots of threads have appeared on here on the ol' road riding versus mountain biking debate. Truth is, what's to debate? Sometimes it's more fun to get out on the mountain bike and sometimes it's more fun on the road bike. Lots of reasons why, many are going to be quite personal to each of us. Me? I (currently) prefer road riding because I feel like it keeps me fitter in the relatively limited time I have, I have much more variety from my doorstep and there's considerably less faff. Importantly, it puts a bigger smile on my face.

I got the stage with my mountain biking where I was spending too much time thinking about what gear to buy next rather than just enjoying what I had already. It wasn't giving me my "fix". That said, if I had a chance to go MTBing in the Alps or somewhere else big I'd jump at it.

jwmlee - Member

Anyone else feeling the same way?

WEll funnily enough I'm sat here sweating after my first foray on the road in many a year, not a full blown road bike but with a sort of GT cruiser with road wheels and a 'sport' frame, sit up and beg style so on the road retaining a sense of not all bent over in lycra style.

What an ordeal! Bloody pot holes everywhere, I went out helmet less and came back with my trusty Avita, all those cars in close proximity, exhaust fumes, why do they do it to themselves? They go faster, no doubt and the sense of speed and effortless pedalling I 'suppose gives you the same sort of thrill a spinning class might deliver, but as things stand, not for me, I'm thinking of building some custom suspension road jobbie, if ever I fancy a lunchtime commute again, Graeme I maybe, Obree I aint.

all those cars in close proximity, exhaust fumes, why do they do it to themselves?

Find quieter roads. I think I'd hate road riding too if i was constantly being buzzed by cars. As it is I try and stick to the back roads and get more peace and quiet than I know what to do with. Love it

stilltortoise - Member

Find quieter roads.

In the South East of England? As it was I took the old A20 and some trails next to the motorway, but I nearly came off at the hands of a bloody mini pine cone, I'd forgotten how sensitive road wheels are, scary!

[url= http://app.strava.com/rides/12915748 ]Strava[/url]

Not sure I'd go to the lengths of doing it for pleasure, I still prefer off road, although it was a pleasant enough lunchtime diversion trying to snap out of bad weather induced gloomy mood, I'll not be hanging up my baggies, I am going to see if can cobble something more suitable together that aint a total bone shaker.

It got me thinking a bit, you wouldn't go fast on a motor cycle with a live frame would you? Maybe it's time for the road bike suspension revolution.. 😕

I've been enjoying my road riding this year. I've been mainly on road so far this year and did a sportive yesterday (in the rain). I need to do more on the mtb now for an event later in the year but I think I will continue with the road bike.

I've enjoyed my time on the road bike so far this year. It helps living in a place where the motorists are aware of cyclists and there are quieter roads.

Find quieter roads

In the South East of England?

At the risk of incurring the wrath of someone claiming that it's not the SE of England, I used to work away in Harlow from time to time. Although Harlow itself is slightly devoid of charm, there are some beautiful - and quiet - country lanes for taking the road bike on. I used to get out for an hour or two after work and see very few cars. I know this is a busy old island, but once you get out of the big towns and cities there are some beautiful peaceful roads to ride.

Yes stilltortoise that is near my neck of the woods and there are miles and miles of nice quiet country lanes for road riding.

Been getting quite into it this year, but a few days in the Lakes enjoying firm rocky trails last weekend has set me back on the path of righteousness.

My most enjoyable rides this year were on the mountainbike,frozen mud around Rivi in January & a sunny day out in the Yorks Dales in May, but I'm doing more roadbike miles than ever.
Like a lot of people on here I enjoy riding both,but with all the rain & mud the mountain bike has been gathering dust,at least with the roadbike you can get out after a downpour,going out on the mountainbike means getting covered in mud again.
I love the convenience of the road bike,just get out the door & go.I wouldn't look forward to riding on the road in built up urban areas,but around here (West Lancs)there's good riding on quiet country lanes.
I reckon we'll get a dry Autumn so I'll enjoy the mountainbike then,dusty trails eh?

I'm still on my winter bike, rigid forks hub gears and mud x tyres.

If you've lost your mtb mojo then either

1) change things- ride new places, ride at night, try singlespeed/rigid etc
2) embrace having found your road mojo. When you get back into mtb you'll be fitter than ever.

It got me thinking a bit, you wouldn't go fast on a motor cycle with a live frame would you? Maybe it's time for the road bike suspension revolution..

[url= http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/pictures/mike-hawthorne-3/ ]Fast vintage racers[/url]

It was a few combining circumstance that led to me virtually quiting MTB.

Cost of fuel getting anywhere inc local woods. £10 of fuel a few times a week adds up.
Time to get away on mtb after having our first kid
Started it and realised I'm actually pretty damn good at roading
Lost 4.5 stone in about 14 months
In lat 2 days I've done about 100miles of roading from my door at 20mph + avg work out the calorise from that.

I downgraded my MTB as it was just sitting there, MTB mates all told me I was mad but it allowed me to get a super road bike and I love it an don't miss my five at all. I've got a c456 if I fancy the odd day.

Be carefull though the money you save on fuel for MTB trips you will spend on gear that makes you look like a total tart. I love all the aesthetics part of roading and I'm fully signed up to that.

If I was to return to MTB it would probably be the whole euro xc stuff and dabble in xc racing.

I really enjoy riding in the winter, it's really great to get out on a crisp winters day, or head out on a night ride in the mud (and finish in the pub).

then comes summer, there is the longer days and good fitness from all the rides in the winter which mean really making the most of those lovely dry, fast trails and long days (finished in the pub of course)

except everything is still 6" deep in mud, and to be honest - i'm not enjoying it, it's upset my natural rhythm, as much as i've enjoyed winter, it's knowing summer's round the corner that makes it fun

Get in! Just Got a PB on Strava, looked through my history, in march my local climb was taking 8:11 tonight 4:04!

This forum seems to be mostly populated by roadies these days.

Lets see what an Indian summer brings. Or what happens when the clocks go back, or when it's sub zero, icy and snowing.
Even this Sunday spending four hours in the p***ing rain stopping to fix mates punctures and trying to stay upright on diesel coated roundabouts wasn't that great.

@captain-bastard. Yes, agree totally.

captain_bastard +1. Well put sir!

I don't mind putting all the layers, waterproofs, Sealskins socks etc on for a dark, cold January night ride. I just expect it. Like I just expect to get coated head to toe in filth

In this miserable summer though, I find I just can't be arsed and make lame excuses. After all, why the **** should I? I've [i]earned[/i] my dry dusty trails with all that dark, cold winter riding.

As a result, over the last few years of absolutely lousy summers, I've ended up doing more miles in the winter. Hey ho

Actually, the best riding for the past few years has been October/November

Agree with OP - the thing that is bugging me at the moment is the rate of equipment failure in these conditions. Getting tired of trips to LBS. Need to sort out broken spokes this morning, but just felt "FI" lets just stick to the road this week and forget MTB for a while. Too bl@@dy expense with the constant repairs.

Oddly, I actually enjoy cleaning a really muddy bike, there is more of an incentive to do a good job. Its too easy to not bother if the bike is only slightly dirty.

I wonder how sales are going this year? With this weather I am so glad that I have held off on new bike. The sound of local mud and sand grinding away at my gears is bad enough on old faithful.

+2 Cap'n B'stard, the reason I took that monstrosity out yesterday was because I've got bloody SAD syndrome and it's s'posed to be summer, but in truth for me Mountain Biking has always been pretty much a winter sport, the trails round here get so nettled up, we have so much narrow single track, but even the bridle ways have closed out with this amount of rain, the nettle growth has been mental.

This is what temporarily alleviated my melancholy, a bit of weirdness tbh, but it did convince me road biking is still as wrong as it ever was..
[img] [/img]

Edit, it has rat traps not SPD's so I haven't totally transgressed.

I have just replaced the entire drive train on my HT and I just don't have the heart to go out and begin the process of reducing it to rusting sh*te again. I actually chose this time of year to do it on the naive assumption it would get a few months of stress free use with barely even a clean before winter kicked in. It's so wet I can hardly be bothered to go out on my road bike, it takes 3 days for my shoes to dry out! So instead I have been buying stuff I won't wear and books on the internet. Going up to wharfedale next week and was looking forward to big climbs and great views but debating whether to take the bike at all now and just walk [or hang about in pubs]