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Coedy Enduro at the weekend, I know its a traditional enduro/marathon event not am orange and blue fest.
What can I expect in the way of a route, MTB Marathon style of route set in mid-Wales?
Hardtail or bouncy bike?
Mostly natural trails and fire roads, I guess.
If it's the same course as the one I did a few years ago it's mainly trail centre stuff with some natural trails. Think the Beast plus Tarw Du with some fairly boring natural stuff and a big slog/push up a field. I pitied the 'normal' trail centre riders who'd unwittingly gone there to ride on the same day to find people queuing to get into sections of singletrack.
My memory may be coloured by having to push a 35+lb Alpine the whole last section (basically the whole of the Tarw Du/Red Bull trail) due to a failed freehub but I wouldn't do it again - many of the guys I did it with then are doing it this year but I was definitely a bit meh; the natural stuff didn't add anything to the experience and if you prefer natural to trail centre there's better natural stuff in the area, and if you're happy riding trail centre stuff why do it when the trails are so full they're stationary?
Sure I'll be in the minority and you'll get lots of more positive encouraging responses!
Did it last year on the hardtail (no choice) and felt a bit beaten up by the end. Not doing it this year, but if I was, it'd be on a FS. Most of the "good" bits seemed to be on the usual trails - I don't think the "extra" bits added very much (IMHO, obviously).
FWIW: Try and get a good start - it's worth putting in a bit of effort up the first fire road climb to get to the head of the pack* and avoid queuing.
*Don't worry - the fast guys / girls will be long gone.
A nice mix of trail centre, bits on the tops, some woodland trails and some nasty climbs to pay for it all. I really like it as an event- done it every year so far, usually meet friends, make an 'end of summer' weekend of it. Last year we walked up cadair in the sunshine the day after. This year I can't make it so I'm assuming it will be amazing.
I'd suggest erring on the side of a lighter bike. Too heavy and I think it'd be a slog. I did the first few years on a carbon 456 and the last few on a Solaris. Have a dropper post though.
I'd also advocate giving it the beans up the opening climb for the reasons above- get in the start line early too if you can.
I did the 1st one and it involved lots of waiting around at bottlenecks, so I sacked it off and did a regular ride round my fav. bits of CyB. Hopefully it doesn't happen like that any more, but it felt fairly pointless.
Did it last year and will be there this time too. It's no worse than your normal trail centre ride apart from two bits last year that were freshly cut and a bit greasy, there were wet roots everywhere but easily rideable if you can do a normal red route. One section going down towards a stream crossing was a definite climb down but it was all of 10m so no hardship.
I ride CYB quite regularly so I do this event for the atmosphere and for a laugh. Had a few giggles with other riders all the way round.
FWIW: Try and get a good start - it's worth putting in a bit of effort up the first fire road climb to get to the head of the pack* and avoid queuing.
Definitely. Did this last year and will be doing the same this time around.