Thanks Indy for the well thought out reply, i really appreciate it. I think my pull out point before hand will be in the week before the event - it is just the accomodation i would need to check as to when i have to cancel before so i don't get charged. I've already said that if it is raining or blowing a gale i'm mot doing it! My 50 mile ride last week was in the rain and it was no fun there is no shorter route for this cycle and i will be going down by myself so i won't have my own support to rescue me although i presume there will be a broom wagon!

That is a good point about fueling while on the bike and something i need more practice and experience with. Saying that i haven't run into problems yet. My first 50mile cycle was in in 80f sunny weather, which is just about unheard of in Ireland where i live.

My elbow hasn't caused any major problems since i've been back on the bike although the rotation isn't as good which means i'm not comfortable with my hands in the centre of the handlebars which is a disadvatage for climbing. In terms of fit I'm waiting for a shorter stem and am just breaking in a new saddle. I was also getting a numb tip of my pinky finger which we determined was due to the way i was holding the handlebars causing compression of the nerve. I need to rotate my wrists out more which is not natural or comfortable yet, however on the 2nd 50mile cycle i made sure i was doing this as much as possible and i didn't experience any significant numbness.

The 9-10 hurs was excluding the rest stops, but i agree it is probably still optimistic. The sense of acheivement in completing it this year will be so much more though than giving myself another 12 months and doing it next year. However at the same time i don't want to suffer and be miserable because this is meant to be fun for me.

You've given me a lot to think about, thanks