This is a very long ride and if you are slow, it is a very lonely ride I could not finish last year's down ride because of various factors - I stopped at the 160km mark. You need to book your own accommodation on both sides - Ceres and Sutherland. Some tips: Get long hours of saddle time in. - Your ass will hurt Wear a good bib Wear a Garmin or some kind of GPS device (there were only KM markings every 50km or so) Prepare yourself mentally Save your legs for the hill at the end (even if you have to walk)
