Well, it's on for this year, and the route has been revealed.
Main site
Route
Bad things:
1) It's on Father's Day. Usually my son and I do something together that we both enjoy doing. For a couple of years it was going on a bike ride. Last year was climbing a hill (walking), and we chose the Worcestershire Beacon in the Malverns. Might make finding somewhere suitable that we can get to a bit more difficult.
2) I'm familiar with much of the route, but misses out the interesting bits.
3) No decent hills.
Good things:
4) It isn't for me, but a lot of people enjoy it and it gets people out on bikes.
5) A chance to ride through Aston, Castle Vale and Rubery without getting your bike nicked.