We rode the Merida 50km from Builth today and it was ace. Such a beauty of a day, great company and wonderful views and trails.
At one point I bumped into Rory from Exposure Lights, shortly after this photo was taken, and whilst we took in the view from the second climb of the day we chatted briefly about the early season and how some would always get a reality check at this time whilst others could enjoy their improvements. I said the same thing I often say to rider I coach which is: It’s OK to have your head in the clouds as long as your feet are still on the ground. I like that phrase. Rory liked it too.
Basically it’s a good thing to dream, but you need to keep in touch with reality at the same time. As the ride unwound before us I got to thinking about the way I’ve approached my own riding and how that has changed for me recently. I’ve spent the best part of 15 seasons with everything based around build and peaking fer specific events. Measuring performance, improving my plans and rebuilding again. I’m happy with what I’ve done so now it’s my time.
I don’t need to peak, I don’t need to win specific events for sponsors. The time has come to see where my boundaries really lie; what exactly are my limits? I’ve worked so long within them just so that I could progress logically and push that boundary out that I’ve kinda never tried to push it to an extreme.
Time to start finding out me thinks. Two weeks ago I did 7ds2 in 23 hours; tomorrow I’m going to try and double-up the western end of the Ridgeway as fast as possible just to see what my body has to say about. New territory for me and I’m very excited.
I’ll be carrying the tracker for anyone who wants to watch on google earth the page is here
Distance is 136km and start time is approx 9am…
