Sadly, folks, I have abandoned my attempt to beat the record for riding around Australia. The muscle tear I sustained on Day 25 is just not getting better. On the 150km ride into Port Hedland this morning it steadily worsened until I was again pretty much pedalling with one leg, despite strapping and Nurofen, and very thankful for a tailwind. I’m booked on a plane back to Sydney tomorrow from the Port Hedland Airport which is just across the road from a caravan park where I have a cabin for tonight.
As you can imagine, I’m very disappointed. Before setting out, I thought it was possible but not probable that I would beat Eugen’s outstanding record and that any successful attempt would rely on a lot of luck. However, by Day 20, I began to believe that I was going to do it. My bike and body were responding positively to everything I asked of them and perhaps I became over-confident. Who knows?
Regardless of my whingeing about being near my limit and my complaints about it being no fun, I have relished the experience and will always value it. There is something spiritual and cleansing (and certainly selfish!) about being totally absorbed in a mission that completely dominates your existence for an extended period of time. There is an immense sense of freedom in riding through the outback, or through sleeping towns, at night. There is a great sense of accomplishment in feeling the kilometers click by and reaching goals that you doubted were possible. Not least, there is a lot of joy in being able to eat and drink whatever you like!
Will I have another go? I don’t know, but it has crossed my mind. However, there are also a lot of other challenges on my list.
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