3 Peaks. Ouch.

Damn, that was hard.  I'd say it was purgatory but it wasn't, it was hell.  It is the most unbelievably painful and uncomfortable event imaginable.  Anyway, I finished, but I wanted to pack about 20 times.  Managed my slowest time ever - 4:46, 30 minutes slower than the last time I rode.

I held my position well on the first road section.  They've changed the format now and send the whole race off together (vets, juniors and women used to go off half an hour before the main field).  So you have 500+ riders fighting for position.  Felt okay when we turned off the road into the farm.  But as soon as it started getting steep, I started going backwards.  That's the problem with being overweight - the power to weight equation kills you once you hit a certain gradient.  I felt fine on the road sections though.  And this is the first year all of my gears have worked throughout the event.  The other two climbs were equally tough and I got the hunger knock at the bottom of Pen-Y-Ghent and ate three energy gels, which helped.  It's so hard to eat and drink during the event.  As a staunch roadie I've always resisted it but I think a Camelbak is the only option.  You can't have bottle cages on the bike because they get in the way when you carry it and it's really awkward to get to a bottle out of your jersey pocket.

Anyway, that's the 3 Peaks - no hiding place if you're fat and unfit... I'll be back next year though, 20lbs lighter, you mark my words.

A huge thanks to the support crew - Claire, Matilda and Betty.  They handed up food and offered moral support when I was at my weakest, as well as cheering on all the other Dulwich Paragon and friends.  Thanks for hanging around for over 6 hours in the middle of nowhere without a word of complaint.

UPDATE: Here is a video of yesterday's event.  I appear at 6:40, on Pen-Y-Ghent.  I am walking like I shat myself.  Willpower is the only thing keeping me going.