It's the RAB. So one expects the bugle call at 05/30am. The night had been high winds and torrential rain, nevertheless I had one of the best sleeps of the week given the exhaustion of pre ride nerves. A simple breakfast with most riders eschewing the full English (Cornish?) in favour of porridge and toast. We managed to get away reasonably promptly, notwithstanding last minute adjustments by Neil (aka Captain Faff) and time for everyone to take the piss out of the amount of tech devices fixed to my handlebars. Progress was good and sunrise over St Michaels Mount glorious. We got the hammer down and hit pit stop one in 2 hrs 22mins. Pace was great and taking it very steady up those "grippy" hills. The pace slowed markedly through the day as my back seized up. 3/50 to pit stop two and 4 hours to the finish. But it does also reflect that most climbing was in the last half. A total of 8,500ft in all. Physio on the back. A great support together with Neil and Mark. Rinse Repeat tomorrow.