We had an easy-going temperature and the merest waft of a breeze so could easily focus on the condition of the road surface along Inkpen Rd: it still ensures your breakfast or excess Chrissy intake is well and truly 'settled' if that's what you wanted. Whatever, the conditions certainly weren't a problem with regard to PBs for that bunch of riders at the pointy end of the field - and Team SRG. Phil Deisel continued to demonstrate his recent good form, on a course that hasn't provided great results for him in the past; he removed about a minute from his previous best as did Joe Cox on just his second ride on the course. Greg Perry has ridden the course more than any one else except Phil Gyford (who has ridden all thirteen events there!) but still managed a 1min improvement over last year's result that was itself a PB.
On the other hand we again saw a very relaxed Mark Roberts doing Phase 1 of his day's training; unhurried; on his road bike…

Welcome back to Naughty-Nev, Andrew and the tandem.

And thanks to our 'staff' team once again: Susie, Lorraine and Nicky at the Lakes end of the course (Amanda was also just around the corner there too capturing images of riders as they passed either up or down the hill); and spread to the other end of the course were Greg and John Aldridge who not only signed the course and swept necessary bits but timed and turned the field at 23km; and Ken Dupuy turning us into and out of Inkpen.