Hi William,
Your call on what you prefer. If anyone is struggling then we'll just amend the route, I dont want to leave anyone to cycle back on their own.
The route is such that once you've hit a certain point going back is essentially completing the ride as its no shorter than retracing the way you came.
We can see how we are at Hawes (28 miles in) where there are 3 choices:-
1. route back from Hawes
2. Do the Butertubs climb then route back the way we've come or a slight variation
3. Go on past Buttertubs and then you're kind of committed and whichever way you go the distance is roughly the same.
There's also always the armageddon option if you totally blow up to enjoy the afternoon in a Cafe drinking double espresso and readling L'Eqiupe and we'll come get you in the car later.
Darryl