Well, it was a great ride with great organisation and a plethora of fantastic helpers many of whom were familiar. With all that TLC on tap I really should have made it. But the truth was I was just a bit too crap and my head not quite in the right place to put myself through too much suffering. A lack of winter miles or even any recent miles other than audax ones just meant I wasn't fit enough for it to be relatively easy. And I wasn't committed enough to suffer the hard way to try and finish.
I had hoped to get to Christleton by 1am (on the late start group) but with the rain, stomach ache and knee pain I was running nearly an hour behind schedule by then. With 2.5 hours in hand I should have been OK- but I made the mistake of trying to force down some food before I slept for 2 hours. I didn't manage to digest the food and my stomach was giving me serious grief when I got back on the road again. Eventually I threw up. My average speed was not great, and I realised that with the head wind and the over-distance meaning I needed to claw back 2 hours in hand just to finish in time- I knew just before Lilleshall southbound that I wasn't going to make it to the arrivee within the time limit. Rather than putting myself through a day of hell (and probably trashing my knee further) I decided to ride instead to Telford and get the train back.
I rode past Ella sat in a bus shelter on the phone to someone and realised she must have also decided to pack. Sorry to hear this Ella, you were going so well and clearly wanted it badly. I'm sure with easier terrain and less rain you would have been fine. Probably so would I.
Seeing others who I had ridden with on the Saturday from time to time posting about not making it, and being out of time, I know I made the right call. I' very glad I was able to predict my failure at an early stage to save myself the pain. I'm very impressed that Drew and Salvatore finished- they both had the strength and resolve to only kip for half an hour when I went to bed for 2- and it is that that clearly made the difference in the end. I couldn't have done that because my stomach just wouldn't let me. It's a case of just not being fit enough- for which I am entirely to blame!
I was not all that bothered about whether I rode PBP or not this time around- last time it was an all-consuming challenge but this time it would have been more like a bit of fun. It wasn't enough to motivate me to be ready. I may well go for it in 2019- but for now I want to get back to riding my bike for fun
Thanks so much Danial and all his helpers, your hard work is much appreciated