Everything will be fine
Sitting in my hotel room in Cairo, tomorrow I finally set off on this adventure! Reflecting on the last year, preparing for this tour has been all consuming. For a year straight, not a day has gone by without my mind turning to the Tour, emotions swinging wildly from excitement and elation at the thought of what will surely be the experience of a life time to the utter terror at the enormity of it. Even getting to this point has been far more challenging than I could ever have imagined. Battling with injuries on and off since the summer has required a real test of resolve and significantly hindering my physical preparation for the trip. Must force myself to take it steady over the next few days/weeks (easier said than done for me I would imagine...).
Beyond the physical preparation, I've realised just how challenging it can be to remove yourself from life for even a period as short as 4 months. The amount of 'stuff' you get tied down to has been eye opener. The big ones were really what to do with my job and my flat. The HR system and powers that be in the company I was working for simply couldn't comprehend the idea of leaving for an extended period, and as such, despite the best intentions of my manager and constant reassurances that a sabbatical would be possible, in the end (and with only a few weeks to go) I was forced to hand in my notice, so job left. Being only part way through a rental contract, my room in London was another unexpected challenge, who would have though renting out a room in London would be a difficulty! But not being able to find anyone in time, I left for Cairo still paying rent for a room I no longer need, less than ideal. However, as I'm coming to realise (and not to jump the gun too much), these things seem to have a habit of, well, sorting themselves out. Even if it really is at the very last minute!
I also feel I should thank my friends and family who have helped me get to the start line (and sorry if this is a bit cheesy). I have to acknowledge that I had become increasingly obsessed, to the point that on meeting up with friends, house parties, work gatherings, my conversation seems to unwaveringly turn to cycling, to my latest training trials and tribulations, injury worries, ‘interesting’ facts about the countries I’ll be going through or endless debate about which aspect I’m most worried/excited about at that given moment. For this, friends and family, I apologise and I thank you. But my strongest sense of gratitude has to go to Georgina and Mum and Dad, especially in the final few weeks. Without their endless patience, reason and support I'm sure I would have persuaded myself out of doing this. I promise that when I get back I will be less mentally pre-occupied!
Today we've had the last of the rider briefings, my bike is built and in one piece, bags have been unpacked and re-packed a number of times (one bag I only see on rest days, the other comes with me in the truck) and now everything is starting to feel really quite real. But with that trepidation, finally, the excitement has very much returned - I now just can't wait to get on the bike and head off into the desert, even if it is at 5am tomorrow morning. Everything will be fine.
