All content © Bob MuIIins

2016 Welsh 2 Day Enduro

23rd/24th June

The fastest selling Welsh 2 Day on record is due to take place next week. This year, the entries sold out in 16 minutes, indicating just how popular the event continues to be. 

Last year, clerk of the course, Huw Watkins took the decision to move the event from a route that had remained fairly static for some time. With the co-operation of the landowners, the Beacon Hill check was reintroduced and proved a hit. Another success was the variety of the special test at Saint’s Well.

After the event - a survey of riders and supporters considered what riders felt had gone well, and what they felt could have been improved. Unsurprisingly, if you ask 500 riders for a view, you get more opinions than an EU referendum ! The general thrust was that there were a few areas which could do with consideration, but that by and large, the riders were happy. This year, in line with the Welsh Championship rounds, a class for expert veterans is likely to be the most significant change. The time schedule in previous years had championship and experts riding the same times. In deference to the expert vets, they and their younger colleagues will now ride the same schedule. This should ensure that for those looking for more challenge on the going, that they won’t be disappointed.

This year, because of traffic problems between Abbeycwmhir and Saint’s Well (to avoid problems for residents) the Abbey test will be dropped. Stepping back in is the Cwmythig Hill test, courtesy of Rhayader & DMCC. The work done by assistant clerk of the course, Bob Jones means that the popular section over the hills following the Crossgates test remains, with a very short section of road to Llandegley then a hill check over to the Radnor. There will be a chance for service at Fishpools where a funneled service area will allow service before and after the 19 mile Radnor check.

The riders will then head over through Bleddfa and an off road ride to Gravel, before the extended Beacon Hill check. For the independent travelers, after the check above Llanbadarn Fynydd, a garage is 150 years to the right of the main road junction (info at the start). Riders then head into the Red Lion and down to Saint’s Well for service and test 2. There is a 20 minute ride after this to a short and sharp blast in the Waun forest. That will be followed by another relaxed check over the bogs to Glenyravon and a run down the road to Cwmythig.

At the third test, service can be undertaken before or after the test, then a short run back (two way traffic) before the final off road check, a 13.5 miler to Esgairwy lets the riders head back for Llandod. Service must be undertaken between the Ridgebourne Hill check and the final check, with no service at all on the common.

Day two is a reverse of day one, and riders will be getting to the final test at Crossgates from 1pm. The later riders saw huge crowds of spectators last year, giving an incredible atmosphere. Work with the landowners has made a whole field available for the parking, as last year, grass verges halfway to Llandod were used !

Service crews again will find the compact route of 128 miles with only (19 miles of road work) to their liking. It is possible to visit every service area for a total of around 50 miles. The layout also means that two way traffic will be minimised.

So who is likely to succeed ? The man in form, Steve Holcombe will be out to pick up his second ‘Welsh’ but former winners David Knight, Ady Smith, Daryl Bolter and Ed Jones will be out to keep the competition fierce. Jamie Lewis is the current Welsh Championship leader and in great form. On three wheels - Alun Davies and James Ferguson seem the in form crew, though David Williams/Simon Brown and Jonathan Williams and Neil James are also likely to be out to add to their overall titles.

Whoever wins, in class, capacity or in personal and private battles between friends, the magic of the Welsh Two Day continues to hold the interest of riders, service crews and followers alike. This year, the work of the Llandrindod town champion Jude Boutle has focussed on letting the event know just how much the ‘Welsh’ means to the town. Through clever use of short videos local businesses and elected members have been able to welcome the event in their own words. This has been very well received on the event’s social media pages.

Currently, the forecast indicates rain likely on day 1, but as regulars will know, the micro climate of mid Wales means that weather is very much a lottery. Enduronews will be out and about, covering the event, as will Digger’s video camera. Hopefully the 10 months work put in by the Welsh 2 Day Committee will pay off with another cracker…

Final-instructions - Entry List