So today ‘should’ have been a manically busy day of rushing around, finalising my packing, triple-checking lists. That mixed feeling of excitement and terror in equal measure that comes when you are about to embark on a MASSIVE challenge that is going to push you to all of your limits! Sadly, it’s not to be.
Having just had to scratch from the Transatlantic Way Bike Race, I am currently working on ’dealing with my failure’ and how to not fear future failure.
Corsica first came onto my radar in 2013, when the Tour de France completed the first 3 stages of the 100th tour on the Island. The beautiful arial footage of the Island during the race just blew me away, and I banked it into my memory of ‘must go’ places with my bicycle. Well it
A triathlon consisting of a 14km hill climb by bike with 930m vertical gain, a 6.3km trail run in the snow, a 5km uphill ski with 950m of vertical gain…
My second challenge of 2017, a multiday ski tour across the Beaufortain Massive, was not meant to be an epic endurance test, either physically or mentally but a challenge to face my fears.
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.