I did try to get some sleep before the ride last week, it just didn't work out out of excitement for the ride

. There was never a chance of getting Good Friday off work, but it'll work out. I did even think of arriving in London and getting 1-2hrs sleep at Sittingduck's house or someone like that but he's not going. Perhaps I should camp out under the Arch.
I think the problem with these rides is I get tired just as it hits the long drawn out flat bits where everybody races off into the distance

.
Mike e said I'd get used to them - I have, I now know which half an hour stints I'll fall asleep on and when I'll speed up!