Another great read Jess and although I only did a 600K there’s so much I recognise. I do wonder what made it so unlikeable for you. Was it the heat, the ridiculous amount of climbing, the sheer distance, the lack of sleep or a combination of it all? I would love to do a 1000K one day but I’m not sure my old bones are capable to do so. Or is it all in the mind?
It's a really good question, and I'm not sure I have the answer. In the past I've tried to explain it to a non-cycling friend and the best analogy I could come up with was: imagine you're standing in the kitchen stirring a pan of soup. In itself this might feel like a relatively enjoyable, low-effort, non-taxing activity (like going on a bike ride). Now imagine you have to stand and stir that same pan of soup for 24 hours. It suddenly becomes a lot less enjoyable. Your back starts to hurt. You lose feeling in your arm. All you want to do is stop stirring the soup.
In long-distance cycling I definitely think there's a whole mixture of things going on (tiredness, hunger, fatigue, fitness - or lack thereof, but I also think that, as humans, we are novel creatures, and we struggle with monotony and boredom. Those are just some of my initial rambling thoughts, anyway!
That makes a lot of sense Jess. I often struggle with the monotony too and get bored. Putting earphones on with some music or a podcast can help though.
Yes - although I'd substitute 80km for 250km. The trouble is that if you followed an itinerary like this no-one would think you were amazing and unusual and deranged.
I loved your race reports! A great deal of your thoughts and feelings rings true to my experiences of ultras. I’ve just completed the Trans Atlantic Way 2400kmh race up the west coast of Ireland. Having also completed the Pan Celtic last year where I felt truly alive with moments of true elation and real despair, this time I felt weirdly ‘flat’. Despite the stunning scenery, numerous incidents - including a ‘night’ ( 3 hours) sleeping in a cow shed, my improved performance and the epic demands on my mind and body I just felt and continue to feel- nothing. It’s now two weeks after and I’m still just sitting with this feeling. At aged 61 I’m not sure what this means for my future relationship with these gruelling events! We shall see. Thanks so much for your honesty and energy writing up all your experiences - keep it up Jess!
Thanks Chris - and congrats on your epic achievements! It's definitely reassuring to know that I'm not the only one who feels this way. I definitely don't want to slip into the mindset of 'must do more!' to keep feeding the high, but I'm also not sure what the alternative looks like just yet. Hopefully we'll both find our answers :)
Another great read Jess and although I only did a 600K there’s so much I recognise. I do wonder what made it so unlikeable for you. Was it the heat, the ridiculous amount of climbing, the sheer distance, the lack of sleep or a combination of it all? I would love to do a 1000K one day but I’m not sure my old bones are capable to do so. Or is it all in the mind?
Hope you’ve recovered well and good luck on LEL!
It's a really good question, and I'm not sure I have the answer. In the past I've tried to explain it to a non-cycling friend and the best analogy I could come up with was: imagine you're standing in the kitchen stirring a pan of soup. In itself this might feel like a relatively enjoyable, low-effort, non-taxing activity (like going on a bike ride). Now imagine you have to stand and stir that same pan of soup for 24 hours. It suddenly becomes a lot less enjoyable. Your back starts to hurt. You lose feeling in your arm. All you want to do is stop stirring the soup.
In long-distance cycling I definitely think there's a whole mixture of things going on (tiredness, hunger, fatigue, fitness - or lack thereof, but I also think that, as humans, we are novel creatures, and we struggle with monotony and boredom. Those are just some of my initial rambling thoughts, anyway!
That makes a lot of sense Jess. I often struggle with the monotony too and get bored. Putting earphones on with some music or a podcast can help though.
Came across this the other day. Pretty sure they are having fun. My jaw dropped when they decided to have a rest day and go for a walk instead. https://ridewithgps.com/journal/6538-mercian-way-ncn-route-45-bun-neil-ash-ba
What I'm hearing is: don't try and ride 250km in a day, and more pub stops!
Yes - although I'd substitute 80km for 250km. The trouble is that if you followed an itinerary like this no-one would think you were amazing and unusual and deranged.
You're right. Being seen as unusual and deranged is essential to my personal brand!
Excellent writing!
Thanks Martin - I really appreciate you taking the time to comment :)
Hi Jess
I loved your race reports! A great deal of your thoughts and feelings rings true to my experiences of ultras. I’ve just completed the Trans Atlantic Way 2400kmh race up the west coast of Ireland. Having also completed the Pan Celtic last year where I felt truly alive with moments of true elation and real despair, this time I felt weirdly ‘flat’. Despite the stunning scenery, numerous incidents - including a ‘night’ ( 3 hours) sleeping in a cow shed, my improved performance and the epic demands on my mind and body I just felt and continue to feel- nothing. It’s now two weeks after and I’m still just sitting with this feeling. At aged 61 I’m not sure what this means for my future relationship with these gruelling events! We shall see. Thanks so much for your honesty and energy writing up all your experiences - keep it up Jess!
Thanks Chris - and congrats on your epic achievements! It's definitely reassuring to know that I'm not the only one who feels this way. I definitely don't want to slip into the mindset of 'must do more!' to keep feeding the high, but I'm also not sure what the alternative looks like just yet. Hopefully we'll both find our answers :)
What an epic adventure, you are a machine Jess!!!