Llandegla....or do I mean Llan-dung-la?

Report:
Well, as cutting as I can be, I'll hold back slightly (seriously, I have!). Ok, Llandegla is still shite. Mr Rennie has been hard at it designing the new black trail section (is it really 2km long?), and as good as it is, it is neither black grade nor worth the trip round the rest of Llandegla to get to it.

Unfortunately, Llandegla is fundamentally flawed. An easy going climb to start sets you up good, warmed and ready to start. The 200 yard first jump section is poor at best, with the 3rd and 4th table tops dangerously close together. And from here, with the exception of the two "Black sections", there isn't anything to get excited about. Only annoyingly up/down, no-flow trails.

The annoying factor is the flow. All of the purpose built trails in North Wales (that I've ridden) have flow. All of the 7 Stanes (that I've ridden) have flow. Even natural trails in the lakes have flow. Somehow, Llandegla has this annoying habbit of feeling ready to get going, then it'll have a single jump going uphill, which epitomises it really.

The new "Black" 2km DH singletrack section is excellent, very flowing (sticks out like a sore thumb), and some awesome lines to get your speed up. However, it doesn't even approach what Black Grade is all about. To be honest, the Red-Black Trail mixture combined loop is Blue-Red at best in my opinion. Nothing technical in sight.

I'd love to say I like Llandegla, but having ridden elsewhere in the region, I'm not sure why anyone would go back. Apart from the new black section and the Cafe. Great food, yum!

And as for the majority lycra-clad crowd, it sums up what the place is about.

I'm afraid I'd still give it a D, up from a failing F!

The day:
As ever FO had a good day out, and it was good to feel fresh on the bike after only 2 weeks of post holiday exercise. Loving the bike as usual, no slight play from the rear end with my "serviced" bike. Have the front and rear ends set up to perfection, just need a bit more TLC on the gearing. Preps to the new lads, it was a long day and good effort all round. I'm sure secretly the foundations have been laid for 2 more addicted FO-ers!