200 field - various levels, hit it hard for first 20km with lead group. I tailed off after as 20km as going to fast (36kmh up a slight incline of 2%). Rode within my limits set and found in Tenerife two weeks ago. Marked out the ride in segments - first one, start 0km to 32km (first stop) then 5km segments, stopping properly at each drink/food stop each 10km up the mountain. Felt fine going up with lots of water drunk - 7ltrs in total! A few minor mechanical s, right cleat didn't engage at all from 6okm onwards and the BB area was making some awful noises, I rate the chain is a wee bit to long and/or the bolts attaching the small chainring are a bit loose as it didnt seem to make a noise whilst in middle and large ring. The temperature - my god it was hot with a max of 41c and temps on the climb hovering about 30c + not matter, I had me MET sinthesis helmet on which was really good at that temp, Assos top was amasing as always in keeping me cool and my new Castelli shorts - so comforty and kept me legs cool. There was some tired looking souls on the climb - both from the UK and locals. Gave some of me anti cramp tablets aka High 5 super pills! to one of the locals who was cramping up like a mofo at the 42km check point - I saw him later on a back of a scooter at the 65km point, cheeky munkey! Also saw some locals holding onto a car on the flat section to the first checkpoint at 32km - kids who I then saw walking up from the 64km point of the climb. Ha! Karma! There was the usual mix of UK mamals who suffered. I rode some of the ride with two chaps from Woking who did really well and towed me along in a nice group on the return leg but this was spoilt a bit by a moaning southern twat who plagued me with his moaning. He wasnt riding as fast as me up the climbs but I stopped a bit longer at the check points to a) down a litre of water and b) to take piccy's. But he had something to moan about at each check point - my bike has only 9 gears, where is my jacket, the road is to bumpy - I am on an aluminum frame. Rule #5 need to be biatch slapped into him! He then tagged onto the back of me on the run into Marrekesh and was still moaning so put the speed upto 44kmh that worked then the other 2 Woking riders came pass and we did a good group but at 125km my legs felt heavy, the 41c heat too hold and I slowed up (still doing 31km/h) and ambled into the finish. Would I do it again - Yes. Was it the hardest climb I have done - No, Tiede two weeks before was a harder climb, the Ourka was a bit testing around 50km to 55km with the grade around 8% average but overall the rest was around the 5.5% grade something I am happy to climb all day! What would have done differently - check my cleats and chain, the cleat issue cost me 2kmh from 60km to 67km (when stamped on the pedal really hard!) the chain was more of a nuisance than anything else. Also more work in the gym - last year I did more in the gym and my upper body didn't feel as bad as this year, so I need to get the mix right of good strength and core work in the gym. Resting up a few days before felt very wrong, felt like I had to be doing something but the end result worked fine, a controlled and measure ascent up the monster with a cool descent down and a finish which I was happy about. Next year - time to focus on keeping with the lead group and getting a better time!