We set off at about 8:30 and did the 75 mile route as we were pushed for time. Agree with what you say about the tide - great route, great feed stations, signs could have been better but we didn’t miss any - just about!

From the start we hooked up with the Luton Cycling Club boys and had some jolly banter and japes until the first feed station where the courses split.

I tell you, the way I feel tonight I’m glad we didn’t do the 100 mile course at the pace we did the 75! Neil’s following some mysterious, magical training programme and is built like a whippet, so he dragged us round in 4 hours 30 mins, an average of about 16.7. My legs haven’t ached this much for a while, and I’m sick of the sight of his back wheel and truely awful saddle mounted tool pack The bugger was still attacking the hills right to the last like he’d only just started and I was gratefull that the last 25 odd miles were relatively flat. My back ached, my neck ached, my arms ached and my morale dribbled out on each and every last mile of the Cotswold roads - but we were still setting a good 20 - 25 mph pace on the flat - thanks for the wheel Neil!

The couple of beers we had in the Red Lion were a bloody marvelous way to end a bloody marvelous day. My only worry is my commute into work tomorrow - my poor legs - my poor arse!

Sorry we missed you, but there was certainly no shortage of company!