First 200 of the year for me, and the RRTY moster is still alive for the time being.
I was a bit nervous of the conditions after the drive down from the Borders. My confidence seems to have taken a bashing after an 'off' earlier this year, but on the whole, the roads were ice free. (we did come agross one car being recovered from a field, but this was probably not due to ice alone)
As others have said, there was a horrible head wind all the way to the turn. I even got blown off the road over Yad Moss a couple of times into the gutter, which probably caused my puncture after leaving Alston.
The Flap Jack followed by Beans on toast at Hallbankgate was just what i needed for the return leg. Great service there.
I had to disable my rear brake at Romaldkirk due to a broken spoke, which made group riding interesting to say the least, but we all made it round in one piece.
Thanks to the VC167 lads who sheltered me from the wind, and of course to Dean and Co. for all their hard work.