Well, we made it!

It was a thoroughly enjoyable day in the company of 600 or so other 100 mile riders, helped by the (mainly) good weather and the slick organisation.

The route was fantastic, taking in some lovely scenery on quiet roads and finishing with a fantastic blast downhill from Currie into Edinburgh and to the finish at Leith. But, (there is always a but) whoever planned inserting the hill from Carmichael up to Crossridge Farm into the route is a proper masochist; from below, it looked like a wall! Still, the climb was followed by a 45 mph descent, which on two very narrow wheels and no suspension is a little scary.

My time was 6hrs 42 mins, including rest stops, and my average speed was 16mph. I'm really pleased with that considering it was my first "Sportive" ride and I susprised myself on the day. Unfortunately I don't have Willie's times because his timing chip malfunctioned.

Thanks to all for your support and donations - it was a huge psychological boost for us, particualrly on that bloomin' hill!