Anyone doing (or done) the Dyfi Enduro?

[sjg]

Have wanted to do it for years, got a place this year but a winter spent travelling rather than riding means I'm not in the best of shape!

Has anyone done it before - just how hard is it, and any tips on bike setup, etc?

[Jimbo.]

sjg said:

Have wanted to do it for years, got a place this year but a winter spent travelling rather than riding means I'm not in the best of shape!

Has anyone done it before - just how hard is it, and any tips on bike setup, etc?

Done it twice, going again this year. It's hard work (LOTS of climbing), but you'll have such a good time you just won't care. Most of the climbs are fireroad, so if you're not feeling it, winch yourself up and chat to whoever is around you: the atmosphere/social scheme is superb.
The descents are something else Long, tech, rocky, roots, loose...the works. Expect a bit o' mud too.

Feed station at approx. 30-35K, with flapjack, bananas and water. The flapjack is AMAZING.

Bike: big, tough tyres, as the somwhat pointy local geology will make you pay if you're not careful. And something you know, that's mechanically perfect as it's a LONG day in the saddle. Other than that, anything reasonable will suffice: you see everything from rigid singlespeeds to 6" full sussers. 130mm hardtail myself. C'est bon!

The campsite and cafe/tent is nice, too. Again, good atmosphere and nice food.