The weather was looking terrible on the way down pouring with rain, but it cleared up for the start and stayed dry and sunny all day so I got sunburnt with my waterproof in my pocket
Anyhow soon got going at a good pace with a guy who was strong and steady and for the next 40 miles we chomped away at the miles. Then I started for feel weak.
I let him go on ahead on the second climb just before the mid way checkpoint and didn't see him again. It was windy and I was struggling into the headwinds on this section of the course riding solo. Stopped for food and drink and went on up Cleve Hill (25%) ouch. I was now still reeling people in but more slowly as my legs seemed to be getting heavy. I could see a group of 4 on the road ahead and it took me nearly 5 miles to catch them so I could sit in and get some R n R.We all stopped for a couple of mins at the last food stop to refuel, and set off again, I was now feeling better and was able to lift up the pace again in to the finish.
Finished in 5:42:30 as the 5th rider home which was not bad, the guy I had ridden with in the first stages was 7 mins ahead in 3rd.
I had good day out. Especially milling around at the finish eating cake and pork pies while I waited for my friends to arrive.
Well done to Mark L who had a good day out too.
Hal
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