Rapha Festive 500 completed

It's done. The Rapha Festive 500 offered a really great challenge for me this year. In 6 days I tracked 500 kilometers, in rain, heavy winds and pretty chilly weather. Some mistakes I made almost caused me this challenge, my knees were close to collapsing, but I managed to do it.

Rapha Festive 500 - Day 6

Today was no easy day either. I had 2 punctures in just 15 kilometers, hence I had to call for a taxi in the middle of the ride. Getting back home I changed the front tire and packed 3 reserves with me. Tracked some 35 more kilometers and that was it. Managed to pedal pretty good today, knees were already slightly better. And even having such a bad luck, I was only positive today, nothing would come in my way, not today!

Not many pictures from today.

Preparing for the last day of the challenge

Punctured, twice today

The way back home with the taxi cost me 32 €

Superb feeling now. I won't reflect on the challenge, at least not yet. But because it's the last day of the year, I wanted to share a small portion of my thoughts. This year I've been riding hundreds and hundreds of kilometers in rain, and really bad conditions and still been able to smile and complete whatever I've been trying to achieve. I've lost, I've been beaten down by the competition, but still, I'm riding my bike, and it makes me happy. There is something about cycling, that is hard to explain.

I've learned a lot about cycling and I learned a lot from cycling. You can’t explain cycling, you've gotta feel it. You live it, you breathe it you feel it with all your senses. It’s about overcoming your pain, your doubts your fears and desperation. It’s about taking that next pedal stroke. It’s about feeling, seeing and visioning you completing whatever you seek to complete, whether it’s holding on to that wheel in front of you or being first on top of that hill. You need to feel it, that second you complete whatever it is you want to win, you need to see it, feel it, long before it’s done.

It’s about determination. It’s about believing you can do it. It’s something you are never able to explain to someone who doesn't share your passion. It is inside of you. It’s imagining, believing, dreaming, picturing, feeling, being defeated and getting back up, defeating, executing, breathing, pushing your limits, finding yourself, your fears and winning them. It’s going to hurt.

Nothing less. It’s cycling.

I thank you all for following me and my rides, I thank you for this year and hope you still want to follow me in 2014, you support is much appreciated!

Have a superb New Year 2014 Everyone!