How to ride mud

Saturday's race at Sienna Lake was an abrupt step into the realm of wintertime 'cross racing. Sort of like going down into a dark basement, only to realize you'd forgotten to fix that step at the bottom. It was a rude reminder of how important technical skills are when it's slippery. But are they truly skills? I'd argue that riding the mud is more a state of mind. Did Bruce Lee ever race a 'cross bike? No. But he understood the mentality it requires.

Empty your mind. If you are thinking of anything other than what is happening right now, you've lost your focus.

Be formless. Your riding style has to adapt to the course and conditions, not vice-versa.

Flow or crash. You can only go fast when the opportunity presents itself.

Ride like water, my friend.