I went into this ride VERY under done. Which really isn't unusual. I was using it as a kick in the pants to get moving after April's IM. The trouble with the left knee + cycling + hills didn't really help either, as my physio had 'banned' me from riding anywhere but flat leading up to this event.

Nevertheless what a great challenge. The first hill was half an hour of climbing at about 15km/hr. I got up there without any problems and down easily! We stopped at the aid station to refill our water bottles and I scoffed a couple of pieces of fruit cake. The gels were doing their job, but not curbing the hunger. The major issue was going to be the 'King of the Mountain' climb. As soon as the ascent got too steep I had to get off the bike, my knee was very uncomfortable. I was incredibly disappointed to have had to walk, but I still had 50+km to ride and didn't want to risk additional damage to my knee. I rode what I could and walked what I couldn't.

From then in I started to enjoy the ride. The hardest part was over. At 3 hours I came good, I felt awesome & really strong, I enjoyed the undulating section. I was drinking enough and being on ball with my nutrition was paying dividends. The second aid station was a welcome relief as I got to eat more and refill water bottles.

The 25km home was a relief. Somewhere along the line the wind switched from being a headwind to a tailwind. All of a sudden it was nothing to be sitting on 40+km/hr. At the 10km to go I took off, I was feeling really good and ready to push it so I did. I thought Kris had caught my wheel alas not and I spend the next 10km hauling some other guy home. Towards the end I was ready to suck his wheel but he wasn't prepared to do that. So I pushed harder dropped him and passed over the finish line at a riding time of 4:43.

Would love to go into this 100% (ie free from a knee issue).

A great day out, not exactly for the beginner cyclist. But a well run event that I would happily return to.