Well I made it! - Though I can't say that I found it easy.

Arrived at the start on time feeling a little out of place amongst the seasoned Audax and Sportive participants.  Someone kindly explained how to fit my timing chip to my front skewer and then we were off.  I was in about the 4th wave of riders, soon finding my lowest gear on the first of the climbs alongside Pendle and able to get a view of Big End, before the first of many 45 mph descents.  There was quite a bit of muttering about the fact that the course was a few miles shy of 100, but I wasn't complaining. (More of that later).  The scenery just kept on getting better, with views across to the 3 Peaks (or at least 2 of them).  I got into conversation with a guy called Mike from Otley-way and was just off the pace of a couple of Preston heelers in bright yellow tops.  We pulled into the first feed station where I took on board fluids, half a banana and a cherry and almond energy bar.  The latter was definitely a mistake, which I kept getting reminders of for the rest of the ride!  Chocolate-box villages like Wray and Gressingham came and went as we headed out to half way.  We started heading South around  Over Kellet and could see the hills approaching again as we cycled towards the Bowland Fells.  I was still trundling along nicely and not really looking at the distance elapsed or time.  We came down into the Trough of Bowland on a stunning descent and it just got better.  Scenery to rival some of the best in Britain in my opinion and hardly anyone else there.  When Mike told me
we'd gone through 70 miles as we headed up Longridge Fell, I realised that I'd never cycled this far in one go before!  No time for doubts! Eventually Pendle Hill loomed large and I caught up with a girl who I'd been talking to on the first climb.  She asked me if this was the last climb.  I replied that I feared not.  Mike had forewarned me that there were a couple of 1 in 5's to come.  I climbed out of my saddle again for the haul up the Nick O' Pendle, with an event photographer cruelly placed
on the steepest section.  Over the top and down to Sabden, before a cruel sting in the tail up Sabden Hill (Hell).  I was running out of low gears by now and had to zig-zag to reduce the gradient.  Only a few more miles - surely.  By this stage, there were scenes of human carnage, with broken bodies littering the verges rubbing cramped muscles and grimacing in pain. I caught a glimpse of the two Preston riders and set about riding them down.  By now, my mouth was dry and I was developing tunnel vision. Eventually the welcoming sign for Barley came into view and I put in a last burst, knowing that I was close to 7 hours.  My chip time ended up just over 6:57, with first lady about 5 minutes behind me.  I was all in and just staggered through the Event stalls cadging a smoothie off a lady on a stall.  Got my water bottle filled at the cafe and headed straight up the hill to the event car park (I confess to walking up it and muttering a few well chosen words about organisers and placement of parking facilities). Then it was a quick change, lob the bike in the boot and straight off for the 2 hour drive back to Ashbourne . !
In summary:
Scenery and route      10/10
Organisation and support      9/10
Would I do it again?    Definitely