I didn't take a picture at the top. I was trying for a silver time so didn't stop when I got there. Alas it wasn't to be and finished well outside the silver time. Being a lazy sod and staying at the feed station for half an hour didn't help either though.
The only negative for me, and a very minor negative, was Winnats Pass. I'm OK getting up Winnats Pass but came cropper when I reached the broken down ambulance about 3 quarters of the way up. Just couldn't squeeze past it and the oncoming cars so had to stop. There was no way I was going to be able to get clipped back in on that gradient so walked the rest of the way. Also spotted the photographer to late just before the steep bit. I was already on the limit at that point and too out of breath to pose and try to look like I was a real cyclist. Don't think they'll be going in the family album.
Other than that minor blip it was a fantastic day. Factor 50 so still white and pasty. Very impressed with the organisation too. It's a bit of a drive for me but I might be tempted to enter the Flatout in the Fens now.
The only negative for me, and a very minor negative, was Winnats Pass. I'm OK getting up Winnats Pass but came cropper when I reached the broken down ambulance about 3 quarters of the way up. Just couldn't squeeze past it and the oncoming cars so had to stop. There was no way I was going to be able to get clipped back in on that gradient so walked the rest of the way. Also spotted the photographer to late just before the steep bit. I was already on the limit at that point and too out of breath to pose and try to look like I was a real cyclist. Don't think they'll be going in the family album.
Other than that minor blip it was a fantastic day. Factor 50 so still white and pasty. Very impressed with the organisation too. It's a bit of a drive for me but I might be tempted to enter the Flatout in the Fens now.