I went out twice on my mountain bike last weekend and did short but testing rides.  A mountain bike can go where no other bike can and where I live there are lots of  opportunities for  off road cycling.  On Sunday, I went up a stony track that I have done lots of times but I have never done it without coming off.  This time, I got past the most difficult bit ok and thought that I had done it .  However, 100m from the end I encountered soft mud.  Result:  Pedalling furiously and not moving, then came off!  Strummocks, I will have to try again.