I feel quite bad for anyone just getting into MTB over the last couple of months and who may have come here looking for riding advice or buddies. Our rides calendar has been mainly devoid of local riding lately due to the rain and there are too many red lights on the trail status page.

Is it that we've become a little softer than in the past and the weather is forcing everyone off the trails? Is this the wettest winter for years? The BOM's recent Sydney statement says not really (wettest June since 2007). Is it that riders are becoming more aware of the effects riding in the wet has on their bikes and on the trails? It's probably a combination of all that. I for one am really looking forward to Spring - anyone hear me?

Away from the Northern Beaches there was some good racing down at the Three Ring Circus on Sunday with a couple of riders getting on the podium. Congratulations to Antsonline and Steve 01 and all the other riders who made this a great event by the sounds of it.

Meanwhile, for those not venturing out, here's some popular threads to keep an eye on:

The evergreen light discussion
Chains suck, Chain suck
What is your weakest link re: your cycling?
Why go for only 1 front ring?
How to be... awesome!
Build a bike....

Of course, I'm just summarising from the Recent Hot page - why else would it have appeared?