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My first Dyfi (and probably my first race/XC/Enduro) in a decade.
I enjoyed it. I think I took about 3hr 30, which was ok, although I wished I'd been doing some longer rides to prepare for it.
It was almost nothing like I remembered it from the last time, other than the long, first fire road climb.
I used my new-to-me 29er XC hardtail, which started off well, but I discovered had the seat too far back (right forward on the layback post), so my hamstrings were cramping from about half-way around and my lower back was sore afterwards.
I was using inner tubes pumped up hard to avoid pinch flats -which I'm glad I did- as I'd not got around to doing tubeless.
It was [b]brutal[/b] on the descents 🙂 I was hanging my delicate areas over the rear mudguard, literally resting my chest on the saddle and using Mindfullness to steer.
In summary:
I ordered an inline Reverb post this morning and I'll be doing tubeless conversion this evening!
I have rode all three times on a 100mm XC HT. I have a 100mm XC FS but always use the HT for lightness and speed on the climbs. The majority of time is spent fire road climbing and the rear suspension doesn't make me any less Mincy on the decents to give me a time bonus.
As someone who doesn't like to mince on the descents,even though it makes little differebdllnce to time, the bike wasn't the ideal -especially having forgotten to unlock the fork on the first descent!
My first one too, got round in four and a half hours. Wish I'd doubted myself less and gone further up the pack at the start line, as I was overtaking people on climbs for the first half, and behind people on descents until the end. At least no one's in any doubt you're behind them with all that clattering slate! Think I'd rather stick with the burly bike for fun descents than go for a faster time 🙂
I heard a few people moaning about arseholes who'd apparently been shouting "Get out the way!", but mostly found everyone really good natured about passing and being passed. Lovely event!
I saw on facebook someone used an ebike this year (has possibly been dq'ed)
Two of them whizzed by on the first climb.
I saw on facebook someone used an ebike this year (has possibly been dq'ed)
Don't see the issue myself, it's not a race. Anyway...
Comedy of errors having lost a bloke we were riding with, resulted in approximately 1hr20 spent not riding at all trying to find him and speaking to marshalls and paramedics! And where did we find him... At the finish line of course! Grrrrrr...
Anyway, official time of 5hr12 would have been sub 4hrs without all that palaver, though I did probably have a slightly clearer run at some of the descents than many further up the field.
Did it on my 160mm travel Enduro style Gnarpoon (if we're putting everything into boxes) and flicked the shock into firmest setting for the fireroad climbs and nailed the superb descents as fast as I could. For sure I could have done it on a HT and probably been a touch faster, but I don't think I'd have enjoyed myself as much. The other thing was on the couple of very bouldery technical climbs, I was able to get much further up them due to suspension travel and traction than those around me on HT's and short travel bikes. The point being, you can do it on anything pretty much, you'll be faster up the fireroads on a HT, you'll be faster DH on a FS.
4h15 on the long course. First attempt and due to discovering my brake pads were gone on the morning of the event I ended up riding my 26in-inbred-alfine-fat-front-frankenbike. I also wish I hadn't started at the back as in the conditions the bike was far more capable than I thought it was going to be. Great fun and one of the best of these sorts of events iv been to...loved the disco tent and the comedy festival was great too. Will be back
ferrals - Member
I saw on facebook someone used an ebike this year (has possibly been dq'ed)
Yup, he came in "2nd" and was promptly taken off the results sheet as far as I know.
Saw you a few times on the frankenbike.
I got around in 4hr 30 on the short course. Took it fairly steady and tried to pace myself. I was on a Bird Aeris, either got held up or mud in my eye on the descents but wasn't going for a time so tried to give people space. No mechnaicals but the bikes not particularly light either.
People can shout all they like, I had headphones in so couldn't hear them. Saw some people riding down the WC bit with little regard for others only to stop on the road at the bottom.
Interesting that Rachel Atherton came to watch me potter about on my bike.
Some official pictures being added on the below links,
http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/Mountain-Biking/Mountain-Biking-2016/Dyfi-Enduro
http://www.robbarkerimages.com/events/gallery.php?mode=gallery&id=190&page=1
Headphones???
Yup, he came in "2nd" and was promptly taken off the results sheet as far as I know.
Ha - Ha - i wonder if Nick Craig was aware that the person chasing him was powered by electrickery!!!
Aristotle - Member
Headphones???
Don't get it either
qwerty - Member
Yup, he came in "2nd" and was promptly taken off the results sheet as far as I know.
Ha - Ha - i wonder if Nick Craig was aware that the person chasing him was powered by electrickery!!!
Well it was a Scott eBike, so maybe 😆
Saying that there was a guy who raced the fun category (or whatever it was) in the first round of the Welsh XC series on an eBike too, wonder if it's the same guy?
I'm going to do it on a Yamaha 400 next year
26in-inbred-alfine-fat-front-frankenbike
Oh hey I saw the frankenbike too, swapped places with you for a fair bit. I was the wasted looking beardy git on the green Pivot that was making very expensive noises towards the end. I kept thinking you had a pretty good choice of bike for the conditions, but you'd probably have put five more minutes into my time if you'd had a dropper, I only caught you back up when you were moving your seatpost. 😉
I didn't know that e-bikes weren't supposed to be in the event, I assumed there was a separate category for them. It's fine riding an e-bike if you need to, but it's not on expecting to place with everyone else in an event if you've got an extra few hundred watts at the push of a button. And if you're coming in 2nd (!) on an e-bike you're fit enough to finish the thing on a normal respiration-powered machine, so I think you should really be slogging your guts out with the rest of us mortals.
Damn Mboy beat me by 2 secs on his gnar machine down the World Cup descent 😳
Just back trying to dry everything out, class weekend tried to stay sober the night before but failed miserably see ya next year wife says she is never going again!
My 4th one and getting a little quicker each time . 4hrs for the short route . Was actually feeling ok after a heavy night in both big tops! Plenty of happy people riding , a spot on weekend 😀
The long bit after the beer stall didn't actually seem that long, although the downhill bit at the end would probably have been quite chewed up if everybody had ridden it.
wasted looking beardy git on the green Pivot
Oh yes I remember we swapped places loads. I was cursing not swapping the dropper across the whole time. Tried the first bumpy steep dh with seat up and was terrifying. Bounced all the way down completely out of control and then crashed at the bottom. I was ok but there was another fat biker with a bandage round his face looking a bit worse off....hope there's no permanent damage...?
Photographic evidence of BOTH my wheels leaving the ground. Previously unheard of!
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Were air traffic control concerned? 😉
From Facebook...
Official event images are now live here: [url= http://www.robbarkerimages.com/events/gallery.php?mode=gallery&id=190&page=1 ]http://www.robbarkerimages.com/events/gallery.php?mode=gallery&id=190&page=1[/url]We were disappointed to find several photographers who are not authorised by us or associated with the event in any way selling rider images. Profiting from the hard work of individuals and the goodwill of the event while putting nothing back detracts from the benefits the #DyfiEnduro aims to achieve for the local community.
Another way of looking at it is that they're increasing the chances of people getting a decent pic as a memento of the day.
Headphones guy - no, no, no. On fireroads if you must (bit anti-social?) but not on the descents, it's just plain dangerous for you and others if you can't hear people calling!
I took my gnarpoon which was fine on the first climb but then had to be converted into a singlespeed hardtail which made life interesting. Descents were still fun though.
Had an absolute hoot, was our first time and will be back.
Had a bit of a mare as my bike died the day we arrived. dazh from this shire kidly leant me a bit too small solaris which i'll never be able to thank him enough for.
We set off fairly high up the field and then subsequently sat around for 20 mins while we repaired a mates chain on the first little road hill. Didn't spoil anything, smiles all around.
So i'm being irresponsible for wearing headphones, not the person behind who cant control their bike or feels the need to make a dirty pass?
As far as i'm concerned no one is there making a living out of riding the event so if they cant pass cleanly then they shouldn't make the move. Shouting "on your left/right" doesn't give you right of way/permission to buzz past people. I got held up but I gave the rider in front space and only passed when safe to do so, I suspect most others were just as courteous so dont see the issue.
I was riding on my own, I was still chatting to people but it helped ease the boredom on some of the climbs.
Never mind ebikes, what about this:
http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/Mountain-Biking/Mountain-Biking-2016/Dyfi-Enduro/Landscape-Jmp/i-CwpqwDW/A
And all when this guy did the whole thing carrying his bike:
http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/Mountain-Biking/Mountain-Biking-2016/Dyfi-Enduro/Landscape-Jmp/i-xjhx8vg/A
People buying pictures.... Are you getting the 4Mpix or the Original?
Much difference?
^ yeah, all that plus I saw some bloke getting a ride on the back of a quad bike! Looked like someone had already punched him in the face though, hope he wasn't injured too badly 🙂
coppice - Member
So i'm being irresponsible for wearing headphones,
On an event like that, yes you are.
not the person behind who cant control their bike or feels the need to make a dirty pass?
If people are making bad passes they also are being irresponsible, the two things are not exclusive. But if you're getting in the way and haven't heard because you've got earphones then you'll encourage daft passes.
mrhoppy +1
But if you're getting in the way and haven't heard because you've got earphones then you'll encourage daft passes.
is victim blaming....
deaf riders..? S'no good shouting at them.
1. No one is "getting in the way" they have every right to be there
2. The responsibility for safe passing is with the passer, not the passee, if you can't get past safely, then it's probably best to do it somewhere else where you can. (see point 1)
IMO. Obviously
edit: marshalling is a different thing mind you. If you've got headphones in and you can't hear instructions, then you're at fault.
is victim blaming....
No it's not, I said people making daft passes were being irresponsible, doesn't mean it doesn't increase the chances.
And there is a difference between hearing and not immediately moving and being oblivious because you've got earphones in during a mass start event (which is not on IMO).
Still not a good idea to intentionally make yourself deaf to those asking to pass. They may mistake a move by you as the all clear to pass.
Still not a good idea to intentionally make yourself deaf to those asking to pass
Again; deaf riders? How?
"I'm sorry I made the irresponsible pass on you that caused us both to crash, I had to as you were wearing earphones..."
😆
An event like what? A fun challenge event that serves beer on course? I think your taking it a bit to seriously if your genuinely concerned about being held up.
What if i were hard of hearing or had tinnitus? Should i not be allowed to ride?
I like a lot of other people got held up on the descents, thats life. I can only go as fast as the guy in front until I can make a clean pass and get held up by the next guy in front. Its common sense and general trail centre/skiing/trackday etiquette. Even if someone did shout something from behind me I wouldn't turn to look mid descent and probably wouldn't have time to react.
If you want to bomb down the descents with a clear run doing it with 600+ riders probably isn't the best time to do it.
I was aware of my surroundings, could hear any loud noises and didn't unduly obstruct anyone.
An event like what? A fun challenge event that serves beer on course? I think your taking it a bit to seriously if your genuinely concerned about being held up.
What if i were hard of hearing or had tinnitus? Should i not be allowed to ride?
An event like a mass start ride with several hundred riders of mixed ability where there's a fair chance you need to be aware of what's going on all around you. You want to wear them when you're out on your own, cool.
But you aren't deaf or suffering from tinnitus, you're wearing earphones, you're actively reducing your ability to hear in a busy ride, it's dumb and irresponsible. Don't go trying to align your irresponsible actions with someone with genuine physical issues.
We were disappointed to find several photographers who are not authorised by us or associated with the event in any way selling rider images.
Its unfortunate, but Rob Barker's pics (of me) weren't very good, or in very good locations.
No one is "getting in the way" they have every right to be there
Slower riders don't have the right to hold up faster riders. Both sets of riders should use common sense and courtesy so everyone gets to have fun.
Riding with headphones on so you're completely oblivious to others around you is both selfish and dangerous, and is banned by most events.
For one thing, there's every chance that the rider shouting a warning is not an aggro eejit but a well-meaning novice who's lost control and is trying to save both of you from impending doom.
is victim blaming....
I've done tons of these events and on the matter of who's responsibility it is to ensure safe overtaking, the answer unsurprisingly is that it's everyones. Common sense dictates that the main onus is on the person behind to be sensible, which includes controlling their speed and giving a clear shout to the person ahead when and where they're going past*. Equally it's usually polite for the person ahead to be able to hear the warnings if they are able and if possible acknowledge the warning and try not to suddenly change their line. In short, it's a collaborative effort to make sure everyone stays uninjured. Having headphones in would seem to be against the spirit of this.
In any case, quite why someone would want to spoil a nice day out in the countryside by filling their heads with a soundtrack is beyond me.
*The main exception to this rule is probably on the steep bit of the World Cup descent, where stopping is pretty much impossible once committed so all you can do is shout 'get out of the way' in a panicked voice 🙂
An event like a mass start ride with several hundred riders of mixed ability where there's a fair chance you need to be aware of what's going on all around you. You want to wear them when you're out on your own, cool.But you aren't deaf or suffering from tinnitus, you're wearing earphones, you're actively reducing your ability to hear in a busy ride, it's dumb and irresponsible. Don't go trying to align your irresponsible actions with someone with genuine physical issues.
Okay so how many people were on the pop, still drunk and/or hung over?
Care to give an example of a worst case scenario where you absolutely must hear a verbal instruction? As I say I could still hear enough of whats going on around me and I can still see when I'm being talked to by a marshall so realistically its only an instance that is unfolding behind me of which my best course of action is to carry on as I am. I could hear engines of the quad bikes/motor bikes etc and pulled over for them.
Realistically the only person at risk of injury from my actions is me, and i'm okay with the risks.
Did you have the radio on in your car when you drove over?
You will have to type that in CAPS as no one can hear you now.
But even more crucially was everyone leaving a big enough gap at the top of each descent? Do we need a safe passing distance law next year? Did anyone have a motor in their seat tube?
We were disappointed to find several photographers who are not authorised by us or associated with the event in any way selling rider images.
ir_bandito - Member
Its unfortunate, but Rob Barker's pics (of me) weren't very good, or in very good locations.
Same. One of the unofficial ones tilting his camera 45 degrees is something I haven't seen anyone do since college 😐
Doc Ward picked a really good feature and composition with that tiny gap jump - good lead in and out of the frame, load of crashes, jumps, people running by with broken bikes, etc.
As I say I could still hear enough of whats going on around me
Actually you said:
People can shout all they like, I had headphones in so couldn't hear them.
I wasn't trying to start an argument or launch a witch hunt or hijack a thread which is supposed to be about having fun on a bike.
I just hoped you might take some friendly advice and not wear headphones on descents in future for everyone's benefit.
coppice - Member
So i'm being irresponsible for wearing headphones...
It just seems peculiar to do so, in my opinion
...I was riding on my own, I was still chatting to people but it helped ease the boredom on some of the climbs.
Boredom? I rode around on my own and never once felt any boredom. It is a great event, a great location and I enjoy riding bikes.
If an MTB enduro produces boredom, why didn't you stay in the campsite or at home? You could have watched TV or read a book!
Boredom? I rode around on my own and never once felt any boredom. It is a great event, a great location and I enjoy riding bikes.
Bully for you.
3 words....People Are Different.
He paid his money and in my opinion is free to enjoy the event in any way he pleases.
I wasn't trying to start an argument or launch a witch hunt or hijack a thread which is supposed to be about having fun on a bike.I just hoped you might take some friendly advice and not wear headphones on descents in future for everyone's benefit.
I still stand by what I said. I could hear noises but perhaps not make out words. But you can tell a lot from the tone of whats said whether its important.
Likewise i'm not looking for an argument, if i'd over looked something and genuinely was being irresponsible I can be convinced to change my ways, i'm not un-reasonable, but I've not really heard a convincing point against it.
If you want to do risk assessments the whole of cycling doesn't fare well, and a little music isn't going to change it.
Maybe its because I dont have kids that I don't appreciate the peace and quiet. The music really sets the mood, could you imagine watching a film without a soundtrack? Often I hear a song and it'll remind me of an event and bring back fond memories.
Most large running events don't allow headphones.
It gets routinely ignored, but I suppose it's one of those things where nobody cares 99% of the time but it will be a point against you if something happens that requires you having to defend your actions or behaviour.
Where did you find that image? I got some stick from the photographer after making a proper balls up of that little jump.
Have a look on roots and rain, Doc Ward is the Tog
What a cracking event. Well worth the 2 hours spent smashing the refresh button. Big up Fraz and all the marshalls stood in the rain.
For what it's worth, I wear headphones a fair bit for commuting, and even with them turned up fairly loud I can hear not just cars, but quite often the music other people are playing in their cars. You'd easily hear the sound of someone fast coming up behind you at the Dyfi, those slatey descents sound like a Greek wedding.
Edit: double post.
Everyone complaining about the headphone users should be far more concerned that I could see next to bugger all due to all the muck getting in my eyes 🙂
Everyone complaining about the headphone users should be far more concerned that I could see next to bugger all due to all the muck getting in my eyes
This x1000.
@iR_banditoWhere did you find that image?
Have a look on roots and rain,
Yup.
If you look closely under my helmet peak, you can see the look of sheer terror as I realised what I committed too. Happy doing drop-offs, but I've never hit a double before. Amazingly, I made it 🙂
Lush event! I'll happily admit I charged past a number of people on the descents shouting what side I'd be coming on and no-one raised concern did tickle me on one decent that shouting 'on the left' and the person moved to the left but as I'm responsible participant I slowed down and moved over to the right... you guys should do a crit race if you want to be overtaken dangerously!
Regarding what bike to do it on, if you want a good time XC race bike to rip up the many hills, and just about make it on the downhills but not really have fun... or a fun bike drink beer the night before and during the event enjoy being mauled by zombies and eating sausage rolls, doing jumps/drops blind and chatting to fellow cyclists (well those which can hear you :P) and get back to the arena with a smile on your face... plenty of events in the UK if you just want pain but not many have the single purpose of offering smiles.
Some 'unofficial' snaps I took on the day:
Start:
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First Climb:
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Random Mascot:
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Zombie Attack:
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Default Welsh Living room:
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Back into the clouds (if that's you I can give you the original love this photo):
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Best mid ride snack:
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Possibly the worst/best climb:
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Hometime food (5hour drive back to devon):
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snownrock - Member
@iR_banditoWhere did you find that image? I got some stick from the photographer after making a proper balls up of that little jump
I too completely ballsed it up, for some reason that I still don't understand I took the jump line despite knowing it was there and also knowing I can't jump for $h!t.
Got a lovely deep bruise developing on my right thigh from smacking it on the bars as I very nearly went over the top.
I also got plenty of abuse 😆
I wasn't going to bother given the forecast but so glad I manned up. Managed 3 hours 55 mins on long course. Some fantastically scary downhills with my glasses perched on the end of my nose cos I just couldn't see with them on. Great banter and good to chat to folks on the way round. Thanks to all the marshalls/ helpers/ hecklers for making a great event again. Special thanks to the team on the campsite for towing my motorhome out of the deepening mud on monday morning.
xc-steve - Member
[img][img]
Superb photos
Rubber_Buccaneer - Member
Everyone complaining about the headphone users should be far more concerned that I could see next to bugger all due to all the muck getting in my eyes
I used just one of these for the first time at Dyfi, :
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having previously always used a crud catcher and improvised fork crown/brace flap, and trying out an improvised Facefender last week.
It worked very well -I could see.
I saw some people finishing who's faces were completely covered in mud. These people had no front mud protection...
And if you're coming in 2nd (!) on an e-bike you're fit enough to finish the thing on a normal respiration-powered machine, so I think you should really be slogging your guts out with the rest of us mortals.
I know the fella he has a heart problem and can't take his HR over 130bpm now, an ebike is his only opportunity to get out riding. He's suffering far more than someone a bit out of puff.
I know the fella he has a heart problem and can't take his HR over 130bpm now, an ebike is his only opportunity to get out riding. He's suffering far more than someone a bit out of puff.
Blimey. Well done to him then. I have a mate in the same situation, just getting over his second round of chest-cracking cardiac surgery. He's definitely not up to 60k of riding in those conditions, even with electric assist.
You still don't get to place 2nd overall on an e-bike, though, dicky ticker or otherwise.
It was my first too, and I had an absolute riot! Loved every minute (ok, I might not have loved a few minutes on that long draggy techy climb through the trees) and can't wait for next year. We started near the front and planned to hit the road at a decent pace to beat the queue for the first descent, ended up repairing a broken chain before we got to the forest while several hundred went past! Got around in 4.45 which I wss chuffed with, took a nice leisurely pace and rode with a couple of mates. The climbs were longer than I imagined they'd be, the descents though more than made up for them!
Coupled with Dazh and mintimperial showing us the Climachx trail on Saturday, it was a top weekend all round.
I'm knackered now though!!
Another one for the collection:
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I've got the cap from 2001, lost the cap from 2002, no idea what they gave out in 2003, missed 2004 and 2005 as I was in NZ
I'm missing last year's mug as I didn't go, and 2010 for some unknown reason (I think they ran out)
Not a bad set though 🙂
first year i did it i nearly fell over into the mug pile. not sure i would be alive today if i hadn't just got a foot out.
thanks to fraz and the crew if they even read this. also to lee who helped me bodge a my snapped rear mech together to use as a chain tensioner with parts from his broken slx mech at the bottom of the feed station climb. made it round with one gear fine! left you a beer and the b-hanger thing at the caravan which fitted the description you gave me 🙂
gaz
Had the course changed massively since 2006?
I remembered only the first climb and part of the slatey "moorland singletrack"
Had the course changed massively since 2006?
Compared to the first one I did in 2008, the course now has the following changes:
- first descent is new
- Missing a descent section after the field
- The climb and descent (where it's two-way) after crossing the road is new
- The world cup descent is new
- Missing a descent just before the feed station
- The final descent on the extension is new
There might be some more changes but my memory fails me. Basically over time it's evolved to include more singletrack descents, some of which have had some improvements built like the berm on the last descent.
Thanks.
I wonder how many people DNF'd?
i dnf'd. Ripped my rear tyre on the fire road after the first descent. Tried for an hour to get it sorted but to no avail. Disappointed as i only got 15km into the route and didnt get to ride any of the good descents
The climb and descent (where it's two-way) after crossing the road is new
And a bit frustrating: fireroad descent and a techy climb. That's a bit MBR really...
I wonder if a figure of 8 would work there, to do the climb as a decent...
I dnfed after 12km with a trashed rear tyre after 2 punctures.
on the whole a great year despite the weather.lots of happy faces out there .dyfi is tough on bikes tyres & riders. we have amazing marshals and helpers who really make the difference.thanks for all the great comments the team work their socks off to make it the best we can.bandito the 3rd years prize was socks (very rare now ) .gazc glad you got back ok ,epic bodge mate.
Many years now since my last Dyfi ... but I still have the socks 8)
Oh yeah, frazjones, I forgot to say: You're a bloody legend! Putting on the best UK MTB event year after year. You should be in the Hall of Fame.
I finally got around to editing what footage was useable (ie, the brief moments when my gopro wasn't covered in crap). If anyone wants a reminder of just how wet it was...
Excellent video. I do believe that was me and my poorly bike on the back of that quad. 😆
Haha, I was sooooo jealous of your poorly bike!