A good day out. The random fluctuating weather forecasts in the days before finally settled on overcast but breezy, and that's more or less what it turned out to be, with a few sunny patches thrown in.
Annoyingly the wind seemed to veer round throughout the day meaning we had a headwind most of the way out and back.
37 turned up and set off from the car park. I headed out a couple of minutes later leaving Linda to deal with anyone else who turned up. The climb of Bridge Road away from the Iron Bridge was an early shock to the legs then it was battling into the wind down Corvedale (there's always a headwind down Corvedale) and on to Hay.
Somehow in Hay I managed to pass quite a few despite going to the cafe, as when I made it to the final control there were a lot less in front than there had been in Ludlow, despite not passing anyone on the road. The climb out of the Wye valley was 'appreciated' by nearly everyone - don't complain or else I'll send the 600 up there instead of the easy way through Brilley.
The wind was getting a bit wearing by the last control but bread & butter pudding and custard did the trick. THe wind wasn't too bad on the last leg with a couple of sheltered climbs and then it finally started to get behind us on the Roman road back from Stretton (fortunately less muddy than the week before).
Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, so I might have to put this one on again next year.
