Marcus J-B is going for it
That is the plan! Seeing as I have ridden less km in August to now than I did in 10 days in may/June, I face a winter of utter misery should I get a place. Half killing myself getting my new business up and running, but TCR is totally the goal.
Having toured in the Balkans in September, I am glad I will not be racing through them. Do not get me wrong, beautiful, but the worst driving standards I have yet experienced.
If I get a place, then I plan to be able to race - new company might not be making much money by then, but hopefully the sale of my equity in old co means I will be able to afford to do it whatever. I have put some money aside (from the rest of the money I have had to put aside whilst my income is unclear), so it will be fine. There is unlikely to be any new bike though, unless things really take off.
If I do not get a place, then I have about half a dozen options for DIY rides of similar length to TCR - some of which are, frankly, fucking nuts; so I certainly won't get bored.
Now if I could only start getting things more under control and not working every waking second, then I might get out on the bikes more. Getting a place will be more than enough motivation and ramping up from January will not be an issue for a race in July. Probably.