AN ANNUAL mountain bike event which attracts hundreds of visitors to Machynlleth and boosts the local economy has been cancelled this year.

Organisers of the Dyfi Enduro, which was due to take place on the bank holiday weekend of 5 and 6 May, have said the event has had to be cancelled because wet weather has left the field used as an event HQ and camping field so saturated that it cannot be used.

While the organisers tried to find an alternative location, they said it was impossible to do so in time.

An estimated 1,000 riders, supporters and spectators were expected to attend the event.

Machynlleth councillor Michael Williams said the cancellation of the event, which was scheduled for the same weekend as the Machynlleth Comedy Festival, was disappointing news for the town considering the number of visitors it attracted.

Cllr Williams said: “It’s a massive disappointment for Machynlleth and the surrounding area. With the comedy festival and the Enduro on the same weekend there was an estimate of between 5,000 and 6,000 people brought into the town and surrounding area. It’ll be a massive impact.

“I know for sure from feedback from various businesses in town the impact it has had on increasing business and bringing people to the town. “It’s a huge adverse impact on the town.”

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