Endurance training mind games

40 mile ride today, real training for endurance riding. Just to make things interesting, I swung back past my house at about the 3 hour mark to look temptation in the face. Then up a 1:4 hill, and hello lactic acid. Felt pretty good though and there's slightly less reason to be scared of the Merida 100 in Rhyader. Even better, at the top of the 1:4, I managed a 180 degree turn from hopping on the spot which isn't easy when you're tired. A satisfying morning out, but I still maintain that The Chilterns features among the worst riding in the country... someone deliver me from the chalk, clay, punctures, and lack of technical challenge!