Hebe, what beautiful countryside and looks to be very inviting--even when it's truly muddy. Ah mud....nature's spa at it's best. My experience with mud is to try pedaling evenly and consistently through it while looking for a drier, packed line if possible until you cannot hold your line. When you get off the bike and sink up to your ankles you know it's time to walk the road until you can get better traction, otherwise you might end up losing a derailleur in the life sucking mud. Once you finish your ride hose off the rider and the bike, making sure your chain and the cassette is clean and grit free before you lube it. If you came into contact with alot of mud goo and water, you might need to have the bottom bracket checked to make sure the bearings are in good shape. If you wait until the mud is dried on the bike, it will take twice as long to clean it. Hope you have many more pleasurable moments on the roads less traveled.