It's all over (TT column 17.06.13)

I can not believe it's over, I have cycled 982 miles from John O'Groates to Lands End. It's already difficult to remember the finish let alone the nine days earlier when we apprehensively arrived at our first base camp in the north of Scotland. It has turned out to be a trip of a lifetime, I never expected to enjoy any of it and all I could hope for was reaching Lands End in one piece, after day one I soon realised it was all going to end far too soon.

I've spent months at a time travelling in developing countries and endless trips abroad for competitions but even then I still seem to have a pretty clear idea of what is happening in the world and with my friends and family; so it is difficult to explain but I don't think I have ever been so far detached from the "real" world as I was on this event. The lack of phone reception along our remote routes did add to this but it was basically due to the bubble that was created. We had a fairly strict routine which involved a 5am wake up call with a motivational song; I am not sure I shared the sense of humour when "I want to ride my bicycle" was blasted out over the speakers. It was then head down to eat enough breakfast to fuel for the ride ahead, pack up the tent, dress into the appropriate layers of lycra, fill my pockets with any provisions needed and collect my bike before meeting my team on the start line. Each pit stop plus the evening involved a routine and although we would usually arrive by late afternoon the time flew, admittedly a lot of this was spent either eating or reminiscing on our ride so far. I need to now dramatically reduce my food consumption but think I'll continue to reminisce for a while longer.