The amazing thing is that, except for climbs, there is no crowd - just a string of solo cyclists or small clusters of club riders! There are about 4 rides per day, perhaps only half of the attendees out, and as they start riding any time from 6am to about 10am, crowds do not really appear! Personally, I get up and go before 7am so as to do whatever distance I choose and return to the permanance around 2pm, so as to avoid the heat of the day.