Looking back, this is something I am very glad I did. It is easy to say that
you will do something like this, but something completely different to actually
go ahead and do it. I was sure that many people thought that it was just going
to be something that I would say that I would do, but not follow it through, but
I was determined to get it done. I'm also glad that I put so much pressure on
myself by gathering so much sponsorship. This makes it very hard for you to walk
away from it.
Looking back, the ride itself was something that was probably easier than I expected it would be. Don't get me wrong, the first few days of the trip were extremely hard - my body wasn't used to the distance or the extreme heat that I had to face. I was also getting over a cold. It really was a true test of not only my physical ability but also, and perhaps more so, my ability to overcome the psychological challenges. However, I always knew that I wouldn't give up - I can be very stubborn at times and I knew beforehand that a lot of the journey was going to be mental as well as physical. As the days wore on, the ride got easier - my body was getting used to the distance and the heat, and then, as I approached the north of England the weather cooled down. I had also managed to work myself into a routine that I got used to.
Would I change anything that I did?....... Not really, perhaps a few minor things, like taking a little more care and attention over my routes, but to be honest I was very pleased with how the whole trip panned out. I was especially glad that I hadn't pre booked any accommodation as this did give me the freedom to cycle to wherever I wanted to on any particular day and didn't put me under any pressure to get to locations. I did have one day that caused a few problems in finding somewhere to stay, but on the whole, it was quite easy to find a place (even in the remote parts of the country). However, my trip was done just before the school holidays, so if anyone else is thinking about doing it, then the date you have planned is probably quite important. I might not have been so lucky if I had started a couple of weeks later.
Would I do it again?...... possibly. I would say not in the foreseeable future, and if I did, it would be with someone else for company. Loneliness wasn't a factor for the majority of the journey but it did creep in a little over the last couple of days. By then, I had been away from all my friends and family for over a week and didn't even see many strangers, especially when I concluded the trip through many of the remote Scottish areas in the Highlands.
What's next?..... I'm not sure yet. I've got no immediate plans for any other big adventure, but who knows what I may decide to do next........