The biggest problem with this ride is what the heck can top it?
It was one of the best bike rides ever, the scenery, the weather, the people, everything was just fabulous. It was far above and beyond what else is going on in AUK world that it makes most of the events on in the calendar look pretty pedestrian in comparison. Having had quite a big year last year and hitting the heights of the Pyrenean ride and then focusing on the 24 this year and, as an added bonus, spending the best week riding in Scotland, it makes next year look pretty drab at the moment. Sure, the French ride will be fun, but maybe because it's winter and rubbish, I am hardly excited about next year in the same way. I may have to make up my own fun and have a few ideas that I am playing about with for next year. Seeing the film has made me a little melancholic about everything as it reminded me just how good that ride was and the possibility of other orgs putting on something so out there is small.
As I said on the documentary, at the end of these really hard rides, you can feel a little lost. I guess I still do after experiencing something so near perfection. I'll find my groove again - hopefully soon as I am off touring for a few weeks now!