This was my 2nd 600, I did Will's Steaming On! last year and made the mistake of joining a small group who were going faster than I had intended for the 1st 160 km to Barnstaple and paid for it later in the day, I was determined not to make the same mistake again, however I ended up latching onto the lead group on Saturday thinking that I would get a free ride at a reasonable pace to eat up some kilometres. It did feel a little more like a race than an Audax but it wasn't until halfway up the Pengenfford climb when I realised just how fast these riders were going and I peeled off. Another rider told me that some of the group would have been trying to get around in under 24 hours, not something I am anywhere near capable of. I had some cake at the Honey cafe in Bronllys and stocked up with mini pork pies at LLanidloes which had got mixed up in my head with Llandovery; I had been expecting a full-on breakfast at the West End cafe. At least the rain didn't arrive for me until the top of Pen-y-Pass but then it did make the descent thoroughly miserable as it was ice cold up there. However it was pretty much dry again once the descent was over. I think I paid for my over exuberance at the start of the day over the stretch between Menai Bridge and the overnight control in Aberdyfi, I was struggling to stay awake and was having to stop frequently and I was starting to think that I wouldn't make it until another rider came past and saw the trouble I was in and offered to ride with me. He wouldn't take no for an answer (I must have looked a bit of a mess) and gave me a bit of a pep talk that got me over the worst and I made it through the next hour to the control while he rode on ahead. The curry smelt lovely but I had no appetite and found myself a mattress, waking at 5.00 and getting away at 6.30. The 2nd day was better, my legs were sore but progress was decent. I ate well at the Offa's Dyke centre, sausage roll followed by the aforementioned apple cake. I had to have a little snooze in the sun on the side of the road on the climb out of Hay-on-Wye after a mini lunch of the remaining 2 mini pork pies and a slice of granola. I should have chosen my spot a bit better though, passing riders kept asking if I was OK when I was only trying to get some sleep. Thoroughly revived I was happy with progress to the final control at Monmouth where I was joined by Paul who had lost power on all his devices and needed someone to show him the way. Chatting together passed the time pleasantly, though the hoped for 1 hour final stretch was extended by another bloody hill that got in the way. A great event, thank you to Will and all his helpers