I did this ride yesterday and I was very disappointed (to put it mildly).
You spend the first half of the ride wishing you were riding the other way (i.e. climbing up great singletrack), which is compounded by losing all of the height you have gained on a single, long, uneventful fire road descent to Megget Reservoir.
Granted, on the way back there is a nice downhill section on doubletrack, which rides more like singletrack, but then you are faced with a frustratingly long road section most of the way back to the start.
Also, on the way out, you have to keep looking over your shoulder to admire the views, otherwise you're just staring at the side the hill in front of you.
Has anyone done this ride in reverse? Alternatively, is there a short-cut onto the top of Pykestone Hill, which would allow you to ride down into Hall Manor Woods?