Sunday June 28th 2009
It has been over two weeks now since I had to quit my attempt at cycling the Tour de France after only eight stages. I have since had a chance to reflect upon the events of those eight days and indeed of the past two years, since I first started out on the 'Ultimate Triathlon' quest. In many ways the eight days of the Tour mirrored the last two years. Both started out with blind optimism, there were some remarkable highs and some really tough moments. I found myself questioning myself, digging deeper and pushing my limits mentally and physically but ultimately I couldn't push myself far enough to be successful.
But I have no regrets. There is a quote I read once, I apologise for I can't remember who it was by, but it went as follows;
"You'll never know how much you can do until you try to do more than you can."
And the fact is, if I'd never tried to cycle the Tour de France route, I would never have known myself capable to ride 8 stages. To cycle 1500km in a week. Stage 7, a day when I rode 262km, almost all uphill from the beach at Barcelona to the top of an Andorran mountain, will be a day that will stay with me forever. As will the day I tried to swim the Channel. Again, I had to quit short of my goal, but I had swam for almost 15 hours and the experiences I had on the journey to that day are hard to explain. I will never forget the people I have met over the last two years, to whom I wish to offer my thanks now. There are too many of you to mention, but the support I have received has meant so much.
So, what now? I did a lot of thinking when I was lying alone on my sick bed in St Gauden. I pretty much came to the conclusion that I have had enough of this for the time being. I have a place in next years Marathon des Sables, but I don't think I'll be taking part. The main reason for that is actually financial, but in truth I think my body also needs a rest. There are other things that I want to do more right now too.
So is this the end? Have I given up? No way! I still have a Channel Swim place booked for August 2011 and I intend to do that. Swimming the Channel remains my biggest goal and nothing is going to stop me making another attempt. With the lessons I've learnt from last time I hope I can be succesful. And if I am, there is no reason why I won't be trying to cycle the Tour route again after that. I've discovered a love of cycling this year, and from the 8 stages I did complete, I believe it is possible to do the full route next time out with a bit of better planning and a bit more luck. And then one day, when I am very much richer than I am now, I might just enter the Marathon des Sables and eventually complete the Ultimate Triathlon.
"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." Sir Winston Churchill