Bikepacking problem

[gairym]

I would never, ever cheat at something like this but.....if I come in under 24 hours this year then double check my GPS data as something, somewhere will have gone very wrong (right).

[slarge]

Gairy, did you get any of those little stickers from Stu? (Meant in the nicest possible way as I've only met you once )

[fatbikephil]

A few things that go through my head when I'm struggling and my inner wimp comes out (frequently):
Were only playing, its not that bad
There will be a hot shower / warm bed when I (eventually) get home
People around the world suffer 100 times worse without choice
I'll feel smug as feck if I carry on and suceed
Its really not that bad
It could be worse, I could be in the office
It could be worse, I could live in Syria or the Congo
If I fail, nobody cares
If I suceed, nobody cares

[Farawayvisions]

I'm happy mixing things up - a bit of sleeping outdoors a bit of indoors. I usually sleep well when I'm outside, but there are occasions I don't and it can sap the morale and enthusiasm for doing it immediately thereafter. Gairy, it's my belief that whatever works for you is fine as long as you enjoy what you do. Comparing yourself to others isn't helpful. The fun of 'quitting' or staying somewhere warm(er) and having a wash is often as memorable as the nights in the open.

[Mugsys_m8]

It's just a game.

Back in the 70's or early 80's, Ken Wilson (RIP) published an essay (at least I think that's how it started as it ended up into a series of collections of short stories: I can't be bothered to hobble over to the bookshelf on my crutches) called 'The Games Climbers Play'. It looked at all the different versions of climbing then: big scary expedition stuff, bouldering, competition etc. The thing that came out was it was just a game, sure some had different possible outcomes, but it was all just a game with different guidelines, and it was ultimately upto the individual how they played which game.

In the end Gairy, it really doesn't matter: it's just for fun and it's just a game: It's something you do to get away from it all. You've got to do what feels right for you at the time and learn to accept those decisions when you look back with a post-mortem beer in your hand.

Next episode: Applying the 'Feeding The Rat' Al Alvarez outlook to cycling...

Ps; Seen this Gairy: It's in your neck of the woods. Bit expensive though......(!) http://www.laresistance.cc/