2001 and I did a metric. 100 miles to get to it and a bit of rain was forecast but it is a ride I enjoy doing but was the first major ride after Prostate Surgery.

Circular route and not only was it raining--We also had a strong wind that always seemed to be in your face. Well prepared with the Goretex waterproof coat but not prepared for the amount of rain or the strength of that wind. I know it was October but the day did start out warm. However the last 5 miles were high up on an exposed moor and the rain was horizontal in the face in the force 8 gale. That last 5 miles finished me. The goretex is waterproof but not warm and water does seep in from the bottom of the jacket in that amount of wind when the legs are going up and down. Not that they were going up and down much as 22/32 at a cadence of around 60 was all I could manage.

Hypothermia came very close and I was glad to see that I was not the only one spilling his coffee through shivering at the End of the ride.

Just roll on summer---But I think we had that for two days in April.