..and that Surly looks lovely. I don't normally go for matching rims, but that is because I normally see them on hipster fixies on the Regent's Canal. That actually looks quite agricultural, like the old fergie wheels used to be painted the same grey as the body.
Lucky miss with the trees! I remember commenting on a thread about lights that I always used at least two, one aimed up to illuminate oncoming low branches.
When you are off piste, as it were in terms of not being at a trail centre or frequently used trail, you have to expect the unexpected at all times.
..as I found out putting my range rover into the bog the other day.