Brampton offers an easy train exit to Carlisle or Newcastle and Scotland many associate with remoteness and harsher weather. I had serious stomach issues by Barnard Castle / Brampton, and on arriving at each control thoughts of abandoning entered my head. The trigger for my stomach deterioration was the extremely strong and sicky sweet black currant at Kirton, it just didn't agree with me, and although i switched back to water at MR the deterioration was already in motion. At Brampton, decided to use up nearly all my buffer time to sleep and try and let my stomach recover, and it paid off. I'd already taken 2 hours rest at Barnard castle for the same issue. By Edinburgh I was eating properly again, and mentally I was in the place that I was going to complete it. I wouldn't underestimate the physiological boost that turning south gave riders. On the hills to Traquair I was loving it, and didn't really notice the headwinds others mention.
Thursday was brutal due to the heat, some GPS thermometers read 38c. So many riders had to stop at village shops to have extra drinks. I'd estimate the heat added at least 4 hours to my time, after St Ives, due to the need to stop, and the need to cycle slower. I was stopping at every shop I saw along the way.