Well it's over and we had a great day. Took it easy and had plenty of fluids and carbs with us. The Slieve Mann climb was clearly the hardest climb of the day, it just refused to end but my hill climbing training paid off and made it to the top OK. The weather was perfect and the craic mighty amongst the Irish riders. I was overtaken by Sean Kelly and gang who were absolutely flying...
So now I have to find another ride to enter and figure out how to increase my fitness / strength / staminer to that I can attack more the next time.
Thanks to all who answered all my questions coming up to this, prepare for more as I attempt to race again...
Ta
Ssushi