I enjoyed it but for mechanical problems. Two punctures and a slipping seat post were a pain and killed my time, especially the second puncture coming off the Punchbowl. The fastest bit and my tyre goes half way down the grass. The bike was so muddy by then that it took my at least twice as long to change it, plus I was really pissed off to have two flats. Lots of v nice offers for help by passers by. What a nice sport!!,
The mud made it surprisingly hard work and most of the route was the exact opposite way round to how I tend to ride those areas (apart from the start). Very well organised and marked and will do their next one.
My only gripe was the route selection after Puttenham. The section after the field with the bulls that was just mud and puddles was a little silly. It’s always crap in there and I would never chose it. Plus isn’t it a footpath?????Why not go Britty Wood and Crooksbury. Other than that not a bad selection and first time I have done the Punchbowl that way round.
Lessons learned….I can ride mud much faster that I thought. Ditto deep water, just GFI!!! The big puddle at on Rodborough/Mousehill was a laugh and thanks to the guy in the green orange 5 who showed me the way!!! And punctures take more time when you bike is covered in crap. Oh, and maybe time for some CO2 canisters!!!!!
Surprisingly tiring and missed the gold this time and not just because of the mechanicals. Lost all my jelly babies in a puddle before Tilford!! That’s my excuse anyway!!!