just done the middle section twice in 3 days - 2.1 nobby nics (merlin's current offer) seem to do far better than i was expecting. whilst the back can slide a bit it's not uncontrollable....
Start of on the road as mentioned, then a 1400 ft climb with rocky tracks - some quite sizeable as we've just had a 2 day trial on last weekend with lots of stone kicked about at the top of the dowse. Sommat grippy but not draggy works - done 2 or 3 years on Speed Kings with a Protection version on the back - only had 1 puncture (last yr, top of the dowse). last 5 or so miles including the final climb up the Howe will make you regret anything too bulky too...