Inspired by the wonderful Alastair Humphreys ‘Year of Microadventures’, I have decided to commit to 12 adventures/challenges over the next 12 months. Okay so not all of my proposed challenges for 2017 are ‘micro’, but they also not large scale expeditions that involve being away for months on end or needing large budgets and sponsors. Maybe I should call them 2017’s year of ‘midi’ adventures/challenges!
So recently I had to make the decision whether to enter the Transcontinental (TCR) again in 2017, having failed to complete the race in both 2015 & 2016, or defer it for another year. There is no way this race can or will go unfinished, BUT I was questioning whether racing again in 2017 was the right decision. Of course we ride our bikes in races like the TCR to push ourselves physically and mentally, but ultimately we enter because we LOVE cycling! I was worried that if I go straight back into doing the TCR again, with the pressure I put myself under to succeed and do well, the race could become more of a chore rather than a passion, which is not what it is all about!
Just back from a two day hike across the Beaufortain Massif. I had completely forgotten just how much fun micro-adventures without a bike can be, as it’s been a couple of years!! Staying in a high mountain refuge… being warmed by a roaring log burner and cups of tea, playing cards and board games, whilst its -10C and snowing outside.
I have been told often “If you don’t have a strong core you won’t be able to use your leg power efficiently”. So now that I have hung up the bike or a couple of months off, I have decide to work on my core and strength in preparation for next year.
‘The Secret Life Of Adventurers’ was a fun article out in the September edition of the EasyJet on flight magazine. I have no idea how I made the cut alongside such adventure royalty as; Ranulph Fiennes, Bear Grylls, Uelli Steck, Alain Robert, Borge Ousland etc… but it seem’s I was the only one that mentioned Strictly Come Dancing, Whitney Houston, petticoats & high heels 
(Girlie to the core!)
EVERESTING – a fiendishly simple concept, and a fiendishly difficult ride to complete. Pick any climb, anywhere in the world and ride repeat after grinding repeat until you have notched up 8,848m vert. In one ride.
Fully recovered from Transcontinental Race sickness (…well maybe not my disappointment, but physically recovered) so time to get back on the bike. So here are some pics from yesterdays 3 sides of Mont Ventoux day out and I feel much better for it.
A story of adventure and self discovery. The Great Walk of China is a one hour documentary recounting my life changing journey, leaving behind my life as a model to become the first person to walk the 4500km length of the Great Wall of China. Battling sand storms, blizzards, temperatures from +40ºC to -35ºC, frost bite, starvation, exhaustion and dehydration and narrowly escaping with my life on one harrowing occasion.