I was one of the last to start and set off in heavy rain. The first two hours to the first feed station were very hard, the hardest part of the whole race. I rode much of this distance on my own and I was feeling good.

A little after the first feed stop I latched onto the wheel of a rider who was a little stronger than me and rode with him almost all of the way to the finish. I had to push very hard to keep up with him and I don't think I've ever ridden so hard for so long. On the final significant climb, about 25 miles from the finish, I was in agony trying to stay on his wheel and was fighting back the puke but I knew that if I could get to the top of the climb it was a little easier going from then on, which I did.

The last few miles to the finish I absolutely hammered to finish well within the Gold time standard (<6h 12m).

Nothing. I rode harder than I have ever ridden before and now my legs are absolutely shot.

Very well signposted and a really nice course. There wasn't any sports food at the feed stations though, although I seemed to be fine on fig rolls and jaffa cakes!