a serious cyclist, but when in Egypt.....?This was Egyptian night on our Nile cruise with Paul and Ann, and we made sure we got in the swing of things-could have done with some Madness though (Doesn't seem to care, no more wind in his hair as he reaches the last half mile!)
So, apart from the Dehli belly, which has also now afflicted the Commonwealth Games, a fantastic trip all round-one worth doing again-probably the Lake Nasser one next. Now time to get back in training, and this week has seen two weights sessions and 250 miles on the road so far. I have signed up for Sebring again next year in Feb, and of course will be doing RAW again in June. I still hope to have a crack at RAAM in 2012, but a lot will depend on exactly how much training I can get in over the next 21 months.
Six weeks on from the third operation this year, I am well on the mend. I am now sporting two metal plates, 19 screws and three excellent scars. Fortunately my left leg is healing well. Some people argue that cycling these distances is lunacy and accidents are bound to happen. I have read through all the US studies on this and the fact is that the physical benefits of cycling far outweigh the potential risks. Either way, I take all the precautions possible and hope that I make it to a decent age. Don't forget, life is dangerous. In the West, we take our comfort and safety somewhat for granted, but after a trip to Luxor, you can soon see how different the lives of the Africans are.
In any event, my thoughts go out to the friends and family of Jure Robic, who pushed maybe just a tad too hard on a mountain bike training run, and was tragically killed, far too young. But if you'd interviewed him and asked would he have changed his lifestyle, I very much doubt it would have stopped him. In the billions of years that surround our proportionately tiny existence, it is surely better to have lived life to the full, rather than drift through it, potential unfulfilled. Life itself is not an endurance event-it is a voyage of discovery of our own limitations.
This picture of Jure was taken by my brother Mark, last year. I'd say he lived a happy life, so job done. RIP Jure, and as my friend Big Jay would say-'keep on gettin it!'
So, onwards to Sebring, then RAW, then the RTTC 24 hours where I hope to give a better account of myself in 2011.
Onwards and upwards everyone!
I'll update this again when I have something worth saying. Bye for now. Tim
