I selected 'weather' as my DNF reason as it was the root cause, with a supporting role from crap surfaces. Being constantly soaked from Barnard Castle meant by Innerleithan I was very cold, shiverring and had aches in my back and shoulder. The bike was suffering in sympathy so I quit whilst I could get back to relations in Edinburgh relatively easily rather than grind to a halt somewhere on the North York moors. I might have reovered, I might have got round, but for better or worse I made the call.
I'm no novice and had prepared as well for this as for my successful PBP - 100, 150, 2 x 200, 300, 400 etc., Trainer Road plan, additional core and flexibility work, watching the diet, new chain, brake blocks, rear tyre, everything on the bike stripped, cleaned, greased and correctly torqued followed by four shakedown rides, but sometimes knowing when to stop is as important as knowing when to keep going. I don't like quitting, but continuing when this would increase the risk of harm to yourself and/or to others makes no sense. LEL is a great challenge but it isn't a competitive sport, no sponsors or teams to let down, no prizes or money at stake. I don't think I deprived someone of a place and I hope to be back. Chapeau to all who started and congrats to the those who made it to the end.