Steve, my enormous respect for you is hugely amplified by everything you have achieved over the past year and a bit.
You have inspired countless others to try and find their own personal limits. You have inspired me and kept me riding in some fecking awful weather ("well if Steve can't give up and he's got twice as far to ride as me today, then I can't give up"), thanks for that, I think!
You've kick-started a real resurgence of interest in long-distance competition, and whatever happens, that will always remain true.
Take care of yourself, recuperate (do some touring somewhere warm in few weeks?), and whatever you think about doing next, I wish you the very best in it and, if I can support you in that, then I will always try my best to do so.
More than ever, if you need my/our support, reach out and ask for it. You will have a lot to work through and decompress from. If you need anything, then do not be afraid to ask for it.
See you out on the road sometime soon I hope.
Chapeau is not a big enough compliment, but for the moment it will have to do until I see you next and get a chance to shake your hand and congratulate you in person my friend.