Thanks for all the positive comments, made on the day, posted above or sent by email. It is a real pleasure putting this event together, and the size of the entry field is a great endorsement. There were 78 finishers (including Mick Simmons and me, who rode it last Monday). Only 4 packed on the day - one due to running out of spare tubes (and time), one for a failed rear mech, one who was accompanying the latter, and one for personal reasons. One didn't leave his card at the end, so the official record will show 77.
I am delighted that everyone had such a good day out, despite all the visitations in the first section. Only one person mentioned preferring the old 3-stop route, with many commenting that the new 2-stop format worked better. If nothing else, it took half an hour off most riders' finishing time
Once again the weather was fine (probably the best yet - can I keep it up?) and the lack of any significant wind on that gradually rising section between Bicester and Chippy also speeded things up. To the extent that we weren't fully ready for the first back at Cholsey, who were a clear 30 minutes earlier than anyone has finished before. Last man back was well within time. And still smiling!
My returns have been posted back to the validation team, though I don't expect they will look at them until they have finished all the old-season rides. Naturally I'll get your cards back to you as soon as I can.
I'm sure you will echo my thanks (apart from to all the riders that entered) to Mary (Mrs D) who prepared all the food in advance, to Mick and Sue Simmons and to our son Andrew who helped keep everything together in the evening (and Mick was there first thing too).