Just saw your latest tweet and then found your youtube announcement.
You have demonstrated tremendous ambition, superb determination and impressive stamina even in the face of adversity. Awesome is an over-used word but this HAS been an awesome cycling year by anyone's standards.
It's also clear that you've stayed clear-headed enough to analyse your own performance such that you can come to this decision, given that your goal was to be the world's best.
Hats off to you. When you joined ACF you were already a legendary cyclist among UK audaxers. You're now even more of a legend, Steve. Truly an epic ride. Time now to rest body and mind and adjust to a different daily routine, one that contains less cycling (but a routine that still contains some).
Over the next few days, the sense of loss may be overwhelming, but over the coming weeks and months, you'll discover just what you've gained.
EDITED TO FIX A TYPO