Thought I'd resurrect this thread as spring is fast approaching. Five years ago, I swore I'd never return to Llandegla but finally got dragged back there yesterday, and it's worth the trip. Still the same grind across clear-felled land to get to the good bits and still the long, less than inspiring grind back to the visitor centre, but the new black trails make it worthwhile. If you like fast, swooping trail with numerous tables and drops and some enormous berms, you'll love it. Also on the credit side, the new pump track and free-ride sections look good too. After four weeks of inactivity, my little legs weren't up to the FR, maybe next time
imo Llandegla is excellent fun if you approach as a playground rather than a big trail day and don't generally understand why quite a lot of people have a downer on it. Our preferred way to do it is to to run some laps on the black sections - the first black downhill section now has 2 separate routes and it only takes about 10 minutes to ride back up the fireroad to repeat, similarly the next long section (with the switchback climbs) can be easily repeated. As you say the riding is flowy and fast with plenty of opportunities for air, the black sections in the trees are also very weather resistent. As to the start and end I'm not bothered about the initial climb, you have to climb somehow but agree that the finish is a bit frustrating you've got plenty of height and it feels like it should have a big long flowing red / black finish.
