...must pull out soapbox for a moment...

I don't' know what kind of public event would host a mountain bike ride when the mud is so muddy that
some of the bikes were malfunctioning from being gummed up with mud. We'd done about 8 miles.
That is horribly destructive to the trails. Most times its irreparable damage. I'm not slamming you - just wondering who's great idea this was.

.... puts soapbox away....