I don’t like cycling when it gets too hot and that was too hot for me. I bailed out of the 75 and did the 45 where it split. I’ve never drank as much on a ride before (2 L + over 15km) and that second climb was awful in terms of oppressive heat.
Overall though I really enjoyed the event. Beautiful area, well organised and some great descents, particularly Minton Batch, and that last bit in to the finish line. Also lots of chatty and friendly people en-route which made it very sociable.
I had a chat to one of the guys who helps organise it when I was refuelling on those Celtic burgers and Coke. He said they weren’t happy with the amount of tarmac themselves (unprompted), but there was no better way to link the rest of it. To be honest in that heat I was glad of it.
Dave, I did try to send you a pic of my cool beer at the end just to give you a bit of encouragement but Facebook wasn’t playing ball! I know you’d have appreciated it.