REK

That was a whole lot of Ireland I've never seen before and it certainly didn't disappoint.

It was, as advertised, a tough ride and my first 400 so I was not expecting it to be easy.  Everything went pretty well though with no major nutrition or mechanical issues.  Probably stopped too often and for too long (4 hours in total I think) - but hey - it's not a race.

I lost touch with the lead group somewhere after Laragh and was passed by Noel(?) around Aughrim - who attempted to take me the wrong way but I resisted.

I stopped in Carnew itself as I could not remember which stop the "Top Garage" related too.  A couple of riders past me so I caught up with them at the garage.

Left Carnew with Dave, Marc, Conor, Aidan and Ronnie - but we split shortly after - which was the story of the day  (and night).  I continued on with Dave and Conor.

We stopped for lunch and regrouped at New Ross - I think everyone had ham salad sandwiches and cake.

Again we split and I rode with Dave and Conor.

Sean Kelly square was packed with revellers - on of whom threw a water bomb at Dave.  Nice!

We stopped and re-grouped at garage leaving town.

Again we split and regrouped at Thomastown where chips and chicken curry were consumed.

Shortly after the "hill that never ended" from Graiguenamanagh my energy levels sapped but luckily I only struggled for 10k or so before we stopped again (and regrouped again) at Enniscorthy for final provisions.

I think we actually managed to stay together to Blackwater.

From there we headed out into the night  with Tescos on our mind.  Again, I grouped with Dave and Conor but at some stage Conor changed into Ronnie and disappeared.

Some time after 3 Dave and I did a lap of Tescos car park and rode back and checked if the McDonalds was open and put the remainder of our rations into pockets.  Ronnie, Aiden and Conor rode in just as Dave and I were leaving.

We made good progress to Laragh, although I informed Dave that I would no longer be responding to any conversation as I had become seriously grumpy.

We stopped briefly at Laragh and rested.

Climbed from Laragh into dawn - a beautiful morning.  After the descent the last 16K seemed like 160K but we rolled in at around 6:30.

Thanks for a great event and for the support of all.