Powys Enduro 2011
Far too modest this bloke - Vess won his Class so did Duncan Shaw. Mike Wells and Jason Gurnett got silvers and Chris Haines, Mike Allen, Pete Neale, Anthony Moore and Guy Calderwood all got Bronze. As did Nigel/Richard Smith in the Sidecars.
Of course, if you happen to go into Haines's there is a question you need to ask! Something about double figures!
Arrived at Carno Saturday afternoon, scrutineered, signed on, and put the bike back in the van. There were thefts from the overnight Park Ferme last year so a sensible precaution from the organisers. A couple of hours walking around the tests showed that they were very similar to last year. Supper was fish and chips from the chippy at Caersws and then back to the field in Carno for a few beers. Midges were kept largely at bay by a smokey fire - one of many trying to keep the little beggers away.
The forecast was good, and it was certainly warm at the start.
A short ride up the road, and it was straight into the cross country test. This is evil in the wet so it was pleasure to ride in the dry conditions. Another short tarmac ride, and then a different route across Trannon clamed a few early victims in unexpected bogs, but the check times were slack enough to allow for a bit of man-handling. Mike and Anth were covered in gloop and Chris looked like a monster from the black lagoon by the time they got to the end. Pete had picked a good line through the worst which I followed - thanks Pete!
From here it was mostly road, although there was a particularly sticky bit on the way down to Cemmaes Road which caught a few out.
Then it was into the Dyfi Forest. A bit dusty, but with sufficient time allowance it was possible to ride sensibly and thoroughly enjoy the excellent going of the 2 Dyfi checks as the route swept up and down the mountains.
From the Dyfi was tarmac road a couple of miles to refuelling at the petrol station at Mallwyd and then to the next check at Tafolog for the last bit of forest. This is mostly a blast along forest roads, and then down to the second test. I pulled up for a call of nature just before the test, and as I was performing this function a certain Gas-Gas retailer thought it would be amusing to ride across in front of me.
I didn't see him.
He was too close.
He got a wet boot.
The test was ok, but again there were a couple of bits that were a bit boggier than expected.
After the test came the last check which was a reverse of the first cross country test with a very tight time schedule, so a couple of minutes dropped there.
An excellent day's riding, and all finished in one piece!