I found it pretty uninspiring the last time I rode it Andy, no flow on the new red section, poor signage and really crap surface.
The Deadwater trail was quite badly washed out leaving the trail in a bad state.
IMO it's the material they use, all the fines get washed out leaving that railway ballast (but larger) type stone behind, pity really as I do like the route.
The new route around the lake is a one I'm gonna do as a nice training type ride, at 26 mile it's a big ring blast!!!
But see what you think