This was torture; yes, torture. Captain Alex suffered an injury to his knee, which meant that both he and I were slowed down severely for the first 40 miles. All hope of a decent time was abandoned, and the pain became so bad for Alex that he had to abandon - it was a gallant effort, but he really had to pack it in or risk serious damage to his knee.

The heavens opened after 35 miles, and it continued to rain HARD for the next 67 miles; and it was dreadful. The rain was so hard that it hurt (even through clothes). The hills were relentless, and the organisation of the day was not that good. The feeding stations were at 30 miles, and then 71 miles (why?!!). A lot of the route was on narrow “farm track” type roads, and they were treacherous.

I tried to make some time up after I left Alex in a warm pub, riding hard for about 15 miles and going well, passing lots of other riders. Then I began to wonder when the next feed station was, forgot to eat, got a bit of bonk, and p*ss wet through. The highlight was climbing up to the Cat and Fiddle talking to a Scotsman with a thick accent - THAT is how bad it was. I lost an hour on last years time due to weather and all of the above. Having spoken to Bolty, I think he too had a tough time due to the conditions.

The route would have been okay in different circumstances and with good weather, but it wasn’t to be. I really think the organisers ought to think long and hard before they put people through this again because I understand one rider went home in an ambulance and there were a few other crashes. I nearly came off twice.

I suppose some days just have to be written off and put down to experience. At least I managed to get a lot of climbing in - but I would have rather stayed at home!

Doug