A token few riders was all I'd expected on Christmas Eve, but Redhill riders are more committed than that, and Reigate Hill car park was swarming!

We had regular dirt lovers and a few more used to drop bars who'd forgotten what that funny thing in the shed with fat tyres and suspension was actually for, but had decided to find out. Things were looking good already.

So, straight out west along the ridge, plenty of mud on Headley, down Little Switz, thought we'd lost the group that decided to take China Pig (very slippery, apparently), past Westhumble, dragged up the climb, then guided by the sight of a wondrous star (honest! see the picture) down the long run to Bocketts for tea. Then back up alsation and the fast route home.

Not quite the early finish advertised, but a beautiful muddy way to kick off Christmas.