Powys Enduro 2012
The Powys was postponed from July because of the bad weather. When we arrived at Carno, it didn't appear to have made much of a difference as many vehicles had to be pulled into the field by a large green tractor (got the tranny in - 2nd gear, loads of revs through the gate....). Things didn't look much better when we tried to walk the test. It was so muddy we gave up trying to get all the way around.
So me, Mike and Mickey were a bit earlier than usual at the chip shop in Caersws, then back to the field for a few beers around the Tesco barbecue (to keep the midges off) and early to bed.
On Sunday morning the sun miraculously appeared!
From the start the route went up onto the moors for an interesting loop through some bike swallowing bogs (a marshal was stuck in one) and back down through forest to Carno for a quick refuel. Then it was on to the cross-country test, which turned out to be much more rideable than our attempted walk-through had suggested. After the 1st check by the railway crossing, more bogs on Trannon followed which claimed a few victims. The rest of the route was much like the past few years with a few variations to keep us on our toes. The going in the Dyfi forest is pretty much weather proof and was an excellent ride, although some of the puddles were a little on the deep side. I caught up with Mike at one point after he had nearly submerged in one!
At the end was a second go at the test, reversed this time. I had a bit of a moment just near the end on a steep off-camber bank - the same one I nearly houred-out on a few years ago - but managed to get through ok.
Altogether it was a superb day's riding, staying dry most of the time. Some wet Powys enduros in the past have been murderous, but this time it was a great day out. Many thanks again to MWTRA for another edition of probably the best time card event left in the calendar.