Bridleways are public rights of way here. They are typically old - many go back at least a couple of hundred years and some go back to prehistoric times. They were originally used by horses, horse and cart or walkers but were opened up to cyclists in fairly recent history. Cars/motorised traffic can't use them. The usage by horses in an English winter accounts for the mud. They are such a fantastic network of traffic free routes that I would really like to get to grips with muddy riding so I can make the most of them!

Good luck with your muddy riding too