Sacrifice and discovery

Ouch, bastard ouch - my Quadraceps Or thighs to you are killing me.

I have "support" from the boys at Sussex MTB, which basically means them dragging me up 2000ft of hills every time we ride. I'm not knocking it, with 8 weeks to go I am supremely confident that I can complete 65 miles of this event.

65 miles is the natural break point in the event at Devils Dyke jsut north of Brighton, and it is here that I expect to reach at around 4PM on the day. Here will hopefully be Amy and the kids to cheer on Daddy and replenish him with Ribena, Nature Valley Maple Syrup Granola bars, Jelly Babies and Haribo Tangfastics.

However it is also here that I will face the biggest challenge;



I will have cycled 65miles, my legs WILL be shot and I will be stumbling like a newborn gazelle
I will have cycled 65miles, my arse WILL be sore and I will be walking like a Rhino's ho

Temptation will be saying.... "Rich mate, you have cycled 65miles, your not in great shape, your legs are heavy, your arse hurt and those hills are BIG!! Maybe we should just get in L'oeuf bleu sportif and go and have a bath..........."

NO!



I am destined to complete this run, and greatness will be mine - this is my biggest single physical challenge of the last 10yrs, I have sacrificed time with my family, guitars, sweat, and probably some tears soon as well. My nuts have suffered much chafing, I have crashed into trees, bramble, other bikes, ferns and hedgerows.

But what a journey so far! I have rediscovered my love of tinkering with mechanics, and pretty much rebuilt El steederino from a 2007 Marin Hawk Hill SE into a 2009 Specialised Pitch "Pimp", with Carbon Fibre, Magnesium and Billet Aluminum bits.



I no longer smoke
I am a piss quick - my booze intake has plummetted!
I have rediscovered my jawline, my waist and Quadraceps - I haven't been in this kind of shape for a good while.

I have also met friends - Its my birthday barbee next weekend and for the 1st time I actually have friends I have met here coming over. And purely a result of a decision I made to cycle 100 miles has improved my life immeasurably................

Karma clearly agrees that this is the right thing for your humble narrator to do at this time of his life. But the deal is that it I must raise £1000 for the BHF, not big numbers - but £10 per mile is worth the effort.

8 weeks to go.....what else will happen?