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Mud
Mud presents one of the most difficult terrain types, especially combined with hills, rocks, logs, or roots. Avoid any sudden or quick movements, and as in sand, use momentum as your friend. You may want to lower air pressure in your tires for increased traction. Serious mud can accumulate on your bike and add 2 - 5kg's in a hurry, as well as prevent your wheels from rolling and turning properly. With heavy mud accumulation, your front tire may not want to rotate at all, but tend to skid and slide without the wheel moving! Steady pedal pressure and strength are required, and try to avoid the brakes if possible. Hit any obstacles as close to a 90 degree angle as possible, and keep your weight centered between the wheels. Ride light, be balanced, centered, and ready to slide out.
There will be times when your bike will slide out from under you, and it is a question of how fast you can recover as to whether or not you will resemble a chockolate-brownie! I have found that a stick can be somewhat useful in removing built up mud from the tires, frame, and brake areas if you have the time to stop and do this! Going uphill, you may wish to select a slightly higher gear and do not stand up. Build up momentum before going into these uphill sections. Another problem is that shifting may be difficult, as mud may coat the drivetrain. It may be beneficial to use the middle, and not the small, chainring to avoid chain suck! For more info about chain suck - see below. Also consider that if it is that muddy, maybe you should not even be riding on the trail, as you may do some serious trail or drivetrain damage. It is also a good idea to give your bike a thorough cleaning before the mud dries and cakes up on your bike. It really does come of easiest before it dries!
Chain Suck
Chain suck happens when the chain is so dirty that it sticks to the base of the chain-ring, which then pulls the chain up inbetween the chainring and the frame. If this happens the golden rule is to stop pedaling as soon as you feel it starting to happen, and then back-pedal as quickly as you can to get the stuck section of the chain dislodged. But if the pedals do not want to move - do not force anything! Rather get off and try to carefully remove the chain from where it is stuck.
