Shorts Stories: Josephine
One thousand kilometres, some fifteen thousand metres of gain in elevation, riding day and night, completely unsupported, to be completed in under seventy-five hours.
Each of us taking part, like each of us anywhere, have our own particular motivation that drive us on.
For myself, it felt somewhere between love and hate. Love because I've been passionate about cycling forever, in all its forms. Hate because I understand that there are certain moments ahead of me.
My pedal strokes will have turned from light and euphoric to heavy and laborious. The process will be mirrored in my mind. Doubts will enter my head. How am I doing, will I make it in time, will I even finish at all?
But when they come during the second night, I'm ready for them. Not welcomed exactly but expected and I know how to respond. Long-distance riding has certain requirements and I've prepared well.
Preparation in all it's forms. Physical, mental, spiritual even.
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