They say you find out who you are as a person when things are their hardest. And trying not to sound too dramatic, for me, yesterday was one of those days.
From the minute I woke up, I was in a very dark place. Exhausted, in agony and barely able to walk, the thought of completing another 90 miles on the bike was horrifying.
I am not ashamed to admit that after a minimal breakfast and for the first time in many, many years, I burst into tears in my room. I think the task that faced me was so overwhelming it became too much.
Once that episode was over I headed to collect the bike. The first 25km were torture. I maintained a pace of about 10mph hoping that everything would loosen off. I was in very dark places in my head and 4 times I nearly called the support car for a lift.
I want to thank each and everyone of you who has donated, supported me in the lead up and during the event and all the kind words that have been sent my way. They have meant a lot and I know Molly Olly's thank you as they can do a lot with your donations.
If you still want to donate, you can still do so as my page will be open for a few more weeks.
Thanks all
Matt
From the minute I woke up, I was in a very dark place. Exhausted, in agony and barely able to walk, the thought of completing another 90 miles on the bike was horrifying.
I am not ashamed to admit that after a minimal breakfast and for the first time in many, many years, I burst into tears in my room. I think the task that faced me was so overwhelming it became too much.
Once that episode was over I headed to collect the bike. The first 25km were torture. I maintained a pace of about 10mph hoping that everything would loosen off. I was in very dark places in my head and 4 times I nearly called the support car for a lift.
Light in the darkness
About 20 mins from the first feed station, there was a little bit of pain relief in my knee and with it, a little light at the end of the tunnel. Once I stopped at the feed station and got my legs raised, something magical had happened, the pain in my knee had gone!
I managed to hammer through the next 38 miles to lunch and I could see the end in sight.
The last 26 miles from lunch to Amsterdam was a slog into a headwind but that was of little consequence and the excitement of what I was about to personally achieve was starting to creep in.
After a very timely ice-cream stop, I arrived into Amsterdam and found my way (with a little difficulty) to Memorial Park where we were all meeting before our procession to Museum Square. As I was the 5th person back, I had 90 mins to fill with a beer and to relax knowing that I'd just ridden 350 miles!
After a very timely ice-cream stop, I arrived into Amsterdam and found my way (with a little difficulty) to Memorial Park where we were all meeting before our procession to Museum Square. As I was the 5th person back, I had 90 mins to fill with a beer and to relax knowing that I'd just ridden 350 miles!
I want to thank each and everyone of you who has donated, supported me in the lead up and during the event and all the kind words that have been sent my way. They have meant a lot and I know Molly Olly's thank you as they can do a lot with your donations.
If you still want to donate, you can still do so as my page will be open for a few more weeks.
Thanks all
Matt
Well done Matt!!
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