Fair points - I need to work out what time to set off from home and don't want to be hanging around at the start. I notice that the control at the end opens from 3 which equates to a 14 mph average if setting of at 9 with a half hour break. Perhaps up to 15.4mph with an hour break.
I don't really want to be out all day on Saturday (would be getting at home around 4:30 if I arrived at control at 3). I'm not really interested in getting cards filled in at controls, more interested in doing some cycling on roads that I'm not that familiar with and possibly riding with some other cyclists.
I was planning on leaving home around 7, getting to the start at 8:15. If I left at 8:30 I reckon I would be home at 3 ish (using my shorter route).
I'll see how the land lies I think. Would be nice to ride with at least a few people at the start.