Mud, Mud Glorious Mud

[SULLY]

The song goes...
Mud, Mud Glorious Mud,
Nothing quite like it for cooling the blood,....etc

This song came to mind while I looked at some of the Pictures in the gallery. Let me explain...I know this site is predominantly a US site, and that the US is is a big place, and there must be mud somewhere, so why don't I see photo's of it? I'm sure I will get lots of people sending links to muddy pictures, but you have to admit there aren't many on balance.
I live in the UK, and this time of year the MX sport is about mud, slippery, stinky mud. If we are lucky enough for the track to be open due to the amount of rain we have had, then you can bet it will be a wet affair. It got me thinking that dry riding is so different from mud riding in so many ways...

Bike setup
Race day Bike Preparation.
Riding style/technique
Equipment/clothing
Bike cleaning
Aftercare

I thought it must be worth starting a thread to discuss the difference, after all it's almost a different sport!
Come on let's hear about it.

To return to the song, a good muddy track certainly does cool the blood, try riding the same in as when dry and you will soon find out that you need to take several chill pills before letting loose in the mud (that's not to say that you should potch around, indeed you need to give it full bore to stay upright alot of the time ;-)

Let's have your comments, Sean UK.

 

[SULLY]

I forgot to add, and just to throw the gauntlet down,
I firmly believe if you can ride fast in mud, you can ride fast in any other conditions! - no exceptions.

 

[High Lord Gomer]

We don't have mud over here.

(notice the speed accessory on the left handlebar)

 

[rickyd]

(notice the speed accessory on the left handlebar)

Do they move outta the way for you?? :laugh:

 

[bclapham]

cool thread Sean- ive lived in SoCal for 4 years now, ive forgot what it is like to scrape ice and stand in the rain waiting for the bus!

ironically, a few weeks ago, we had a lot of rain out at Glen Helen- i managed to burn out my clutch in practice and never got to race!!!

 

[SULLY]

To High Lord Gomer.......yep that's the stuff alright!, I'd recognise it anywhere.

 

[mx547]

i'll take dry, hard-pack anyday.

 

[BSWIFT]

Every Memorial Day we get mud in Oklahoma. You know tha MX547.
SULLY, mud is more of an annoyance than anything to me. I really don't change my setup, I wear the oldest gear, and "duck walk" some places. Here in Oklahoma, we have a mud that once it touches something it turns red and stays that way. Bikes that ride in this stuff have a red tinge to them and your clothes will never come clean.

 

[bbbom]

Sounds like the perfect place for riding a Honda!! :yeehaw:

 

[angry jim]

Sully,
I can ride good in mud, but I'm slow everywhere else.
check here for some mud photos
www.gbrothersracing.com

 

[Sandy Whoops]

Oh, we got yer mud right here. Photo taken at the Hurricane GNCC in Palatka, Fl. 3 weeks ago. BTW, this year's Hurricane GNCC was desert-like compared to last year.

http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts...hoto=06VJ000L010079&start=0&album=0&adjust=-1

 

[gwcrim]

Some pics from my first enduro last fall: LINK

It might not look that muddy but there wasn't a dry spot w/in 400 miles. The mud was almost up to the gas tank in some places.

I'd rather ride when it's sunny and 70.

 

[Akira]

MUD BAAAAD!!!!!! FIRE BAAAAD!!!!!! :p