Absolutely great Event, best organisation in the UK by far! Start great - Middle Stunning- Finish was a relief.

Organisation was very good but I have taken part in other sportives that were equally as well organised. Route needs a lot of work so that the start, all 44 miles of it, and the end are better (far too urban). How easy that would be without keeping the base at Margam Park, which was ideal considering the numbers involved, I really don't know. The middle section in the Brecon Beacons was excellent with some climbs that just seemed to go on forever. Considering the distance in the Gran Fondo it was very hard and perhaps the Gold standard was set a bit too high. By my reckoning only 22 of over 1800 starters actually made the time in their age and sex group. The route had been changed slightly too taking it up to 131 miles. How I suffered in those last few miles!

Really enjoyed the challenge of the event. By far the hardest single day on a bike. Felt a real sense of achievement til I logged in to find at 9h I was at least 1h outside an award. Not asking for things to be made too easy but come on 132miles, 3500m of climbing and you have to hit 16.5mph to get any recognition and >18mph to get silver. Think I'll take up darts