2012 Haute Route report

This 2012 Haute Route report is by Reader Steve. Reader Steve is a bit of a madman. He travels the world for his work, runs his own custom cycling kit business and in just his second year of cycling, tackled a bunch of epic sportifs.

Steve was kind enough to share his epic adventures through Haute Route, Etape AND La Marmotte all in one year. Reader, meet madman Steve.

(Steve also has a penchant for using a lot of …'s in his prose.)

Haute Route and Beyond

By Steve Moran

Like a lot of movies, I will start at the end.

The Haute Route is said to be the hardest and highest sportive in the world.

That might be so, but the reason why it will always be in one of the top events of my life is the people!

The other riders, the 1,500 volunteers(!) keeping us safe, the masseurs (20 for 600 competitors), the safety riders, the Mavic technical team, the ambulance & medical staff and last but not least the organiser's team, with Veronique Joseph being the hard working face of an incredible team.

There was the tragedy on the last day with the death of one of the Swedish riders, Pontus Schultz, in an accident on the final stage. It could have been any one of us. Everyone's thoughts were and are with his very young family who had come down with him.

The organisers had a terrible balance to play in closing the event, informing us what had happened while trying not to wipe the previous week for everyone.

I am glad I didn't have to do that … and a simple well done to Mark Turner, head of the organising company and fellow competitor, for his handling of Saturday evening.

Although ultimately our enjoyment and memories are of no account compared with the horror for Pontus' family, life does go on and so with a heavy heart all the other participants can say…

What a week!!

The highs and (ultimate) lows, the pain and cursing and whining and appreciation, the new friends & training partners, the smiles, laughter and mickey-taking (how come it was always this old man that copped it?), the tears and exhilarations of the ascents and descents, the sugar-induced yucks and the joy of a simple plate of pasta, the nectar of a small bottle of beer after each stage, the sunshine and heat, the beauty of the mountains, the joy of the people of France, the camaraderie of the riders, the support from the people at the side of the road, the quiet professionalism of the organising team behind the scene, the enthusiasm of those volunteers allowing us to ignore the junctions, roundabouts and red lights…and and and and and…

I will get involved in some capacity next year…but almost certainly (sorry, Wendy – certainly) not as a rider – this event is just simply too magnificent not to be a part of.

Not for any physical achievement but for some incredible people and the experiences that they have given me … anyone can get on a bike … with a little time then anyone can achieve their mad ideas … [Ed: I totally agree with this, and made a video about .

Vive La France, Allez les coureurs … and what a week!

How did I manage to start in Geneva on Sunday 19th August and finish all the 7 stages inside the dreaded cut-off time to finally arrive in Nice?

Where I started

2011 was my first year of cycling. I had ridden Ventoux in the previous Autumn, immediately bought the bike that I had hired and I was one of the insane cycling addicts.

That first year had its highlights including my first Etapes du Tour, major iconic cols and the Cinglé du Ventoux [Ed: read more about the Cingle or Ventoux 3-peat].

It was while having a pasta in Bedoin after my first of the 3 climbs for the Cinglé [Ed, wait you stopped for pasta?] that I met a guy just off the inaugural Haute Route.  He enthused about it so much that I was hooked.

Wendy was not that keen but she did sit for 4 hours trying to get me registered on the morning when the website systems crashed.  But for the first of many times over the coming months, Veronique Joseph (from the organisers OCThirdPole) came to our rescue and delivered remarkable customer service.

So that was my climax of my 2012 set.

How was I to get to this pinnacle as I don't have many years of training invested in my legs? Why not use the sportive classics as motivators and training!

Bookings were then made for both Etapes du Tours and La Marmotte. (It seemed a good idea to include a multi-day effort as preparation!)

Voila, the Marmotte, 7th July at Alpe d'Huez, Etape 1 the next day starting at Albertville with Etape Act 2 6 days later in the Pyrennees …. Parfait!?!? Well perfect on paper, but it is a totally different thing to actually compete and complete!

Additional sportives were booked as additions (including the Ventoux Sportive) …. What a 2012 was on the cards!

Training Begins

The hard training was started in October 2012 under the remote supervision of Paul Bailey of Fit4Training.  Paul promised a more structured and efficient programme than my 2011 of gym gym gym gym!  What Paul was unaware of was the frailty of my 54 year old body, especially my back. By early January, when just seeing the improvement due to weight training, my slipped disc reappeared!! Paul re-set the programme using on-bike power intervals.  Putney Chiropractic Centre (Luke) and Move Clinic physio (Scott) helped to put me back together … and kept together with sticky-backed plastic and washing-up bottles.

And so on the road and in gyms in China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, France, Germany, Uganda, Lebanon, Dubai, Norway, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and deepest darkest Newcastle .. the work began … and it went and it went and on and on … boy did it go on.

At the same time I was starting my new cycling clothing business, Pente 14% – focussing on bespoke designs for individuals, races and teams (www.pente14.com).  Why the name?  Pente – French for gradient; 14% – the steepest parts of Mont Ventoux and the hill to our house near Ventoux .. et voila!

And also the planning and purchase of my dream machine with Bespoke Cycles in Farringdon; a Parlee Z5i with 50/34 x 11/36! What hills can that puppy not get up!

After a number of test events around the UK, it was time for the Granfondo Ventoux, a little taster of twice up Le Geant de la Provence and 180kms in 35C heat.

No one passed me up Ventoux with my spinning machine.  I took a few orders for the Cingles du Ventoux jerseys…but I also forgot that the food stops were not 5 course dinners.  I spent nearly 2 hours at the stops – but the food was superb.  I should have realised I had had too much when they offered cigars and brandy.

Marmotte and Etape

The big test was to be a weekend with the Marmotte on Saturday and then the Etape du Tour 1 the next day.  The Marmotte was tough.  But we all know that.

However last year's first Etape had prepared me for Telegraph, Galibier and Alpe d'Huez.  What it didn't prepare me for was Glandon!  The climb was ok as it was the first of the day. But wow, the descent!  The fact that the organisers had neutralised it gave a big hint.  However it wasn't going down that worried me, it was that the next day we would be climbing that monster from the descent side – 24km of horror, ending with 2 km of 12-15%.

The next day was worse than I could have imagined  and after that I knew I would be doing it again on day3 of the Haute Route!!!

French Cycling Holidays looked after me by shipping my bike immediately from Alpe d'Huez at the end of the Marmotte to Albertville for the next day's Etape.

Everything was set except for having to source new screws for my cleats – 3 had dropped out of my right shoe which doesn't make riding easy.

I jokingly said to some one in the hotel that I would give him a tenner for 3 screws and he bloody took the money … Tight git!

The prep for day 2 was a bit chaotic … I didn't really eat properly after the Marmotte and shared a room with a stranger AN some twat was shouting outside the room from midnight to 4:39 when we got up … Where are baseball bats when you need them!?!?!?

And so after 2 hours sleep, another 4am start awaking to…RAIN!!!!!!

OMG with a capital F in there!!!  After the rainy start again it was stinking hot (as was the Marmotte).

It was the same climbing as the Marmotte – 4,700m but in 40km less … so no rests and steeper climbs.

I crashed on the first climb (Madeleine) and ended with an enormous bump on my elbow (about the size of 2 eggs). I flagged down a doc on a bike who suggested stopping – yeah, right!

And though I don't peddle with arms and though my hip is now bruised (bleat bleat bleat),  I nearly gave up on the final descent as I couldn't even turn my legs going downhill nor turn my bars to steer.

But when I stopped at the feed station at the bottom, had a drink and a gel and the people said that the last climb was 4-6% for 18km – that was doable – …they lied.

Apart from 2 flat kms the rest was around 11% with ramps to 16%. AND I HADN'T FACTORED IN PAIN KILLERS…they may reduce the back pain but the result is debilitating dehydration.

I crossed the line, lay down 5m after the finished, and ended up on a stretcher to the medics and a saline drip (I want a portable one!). Within 20 mins I felt like doing it all again (well not quite, but I certainly felt bright and “cheerful”)

STILL AWAKE YET?!

Many of the lessons that were to be indentified from these days were not learnt and we will see them reappear in the Haute Route!!!

My last really big pre-Haute Route test was Etape Act 2 in the Pyrenees.  Like the 2011 Etape 2, the registration day was warm and sunny (made more enjoyable by watching David Millar winning Stage 12 of the Tour) but the forecast for the race day was not encouraging.

However, although overcast, it wasn't raining or windy at the start line in Pau.  But the mountains are a hostile environment.

Yet again, my first part of the ride was broken up by niggly mechanicals – I had to stop 5 times before the base of the first climb! So that lost me a lot of time, at least 10-15 mins

The Aubisque was the first col climbed in the Tour's first visit to the Pyrenees and where the leader shouted to the organisers “Assassins!!!” as he struggle over goat tracks.

The start of our climb was nice and cool and a good pace to get into the proper part of the race.  The cloud shrouded the mountains at about 800m.

We were climbing above 1,500m 4 times in the race. Not only was the cloud drenching and freezing cold but it was also chucking it down on the upper slopes. But no worries, my lovely new rain jacket was doing its stuff (although I was soaked thru before putting it on … Doooh!!).

After last year's disaster of an Etape where everyone was hypothermic, I promised never to be caught out again…hmmmm…so why didn't I have leg warmers, arm warmers, long finger gloves!?!?!

The descent from 1,900m full pelt in the cold and the wet are ideal conditions to create dangerous wind-chill. At the base I was again like last year, shivering to my core.

So in the town at the base of the Aubisque, I spent time searching out a bike shop. I gave the guy my credit card and said  “faissez moi assez chaud” (Make me warm). Perhaps he thought I mistook what services he was offering !?!?!?

But 20 mins later I was out of there with leg warmers, arm warmers, long finger gloves and a space blanket – I was assez chaud again!!!.

The time and the money was well worth it to be able to finish the race

The Tourmalet needs little introduction – a mythical mountain, 19km in length, and the highest road pass in the Pyrenees, standing proud at 2,115m.

But to be honest it came and went. It is long but not horrible like the previous week's climbs. The big down side was that the stunning views that you get in the Pyrenees were shrouded.

I eventually caught up with my mate Ali near the top of Tourmalet … AND HE WAS WALKING! He didn't hear me approaching him….”Get on that f'ing bike, get on my wheel and we'll make it up”.

At the top I took time to tog up before the 20km descent. It was wet and a bit blinding … But not cold this time! The biggest danger was those who were not confident descenders – other than that it was a good rapid descent.

Tourmalet done, then 2 more Cat 1 climbs – draggy but not harrowing.

But when I was half way up the Aspin (the next climb), there was Ali again – when did he pass me?!!?!?!?!

It must have been when I was togging up at the top of Tourmalet. I shouted to him as I passed … “What are you doing there!!!! In fact … What am I DOING HERE!!!!!!!!”

And the joy of the finish – this time, it was not at a summit. Instead of finishing after a rotten climb, this Etape had a 20km fast descent to the line….PURE MAGIC!!! When we did cross the line we were smiling not grimacing!! It is such a fantastic way to finish – flying down closed roads at 80km/h and sprinting over the finish line…

And so to the main event of the year … The second edition of the Haute Route!

Although not beautiful prose, perhaps the best way to take you through my experiences of the event would be to present my daily blog entries to my friends and family.

Each stage is detailed on www.etapes.co.uk/2012_events_hauteroute.html

A video of each day is on YouTube www.youtube.com/hauteroutetv

Haute Route

Day 0

Well … Day minus 1 in Geneva…

Got up at 3:30 only to have the taxi not turn up! THEN BA charged £40 excess baggage – not a great start!

A lovely lunch with friends, Veronique and Tom, in their beautiful village near Lausanne. Then back to Geneva for registration, collection of freebies and a 2 HOUR BRIEFING!

Pasta party and back to the hotel for putting the bike back together and repacking and some sleep (“what have I forgotten”).

Day 1: Geneva to Megeve – 120km, 2700m, 3 cols

Day 1 …. Started bad …. Continued bad … Then great end.

38 degrees and an “easy” day!

“Easy” is what they said today would be – “the easiest day of the week”. If that's the case then it's going to be a short week!

Unfortunately my back went bang on the first climb. a 13% leg warmer for 10km of the Col du Romme. Took Cocodamol (codeine) however, as we found with Etape 1, I have found and now I've been told that codeine makes the effects of the heat worse [Ed: I didn’t know this, this is a good tip]  I've since chatted to a doc while I was having massage, he said said “very bad idea!”…so pain or dehydration?

The day started well – with my tube valve going before leaving the hotel (someone was trying to tell me something!), and there was only 1 track pump for 600 cyclists.

But the atmosphere was brilliant at the beginning – a stunning sunrise over the lake at Geneva … Then off…

Sunrise over a placid Lake Geneva[/caption]Overall? Hot, painful with Yoda Paul (Bailey) saying avoid negative thoughts…but I was so, so close to calling it a day when the heat and the drugs and dehydration really kicked in.

When I arrived at the finish that afternoon, there were bottles of Heineken there to have with your pasta. I finally broke, I couldnt resist any further and I had my first alcohol since New Year. How well did that go down!

But at the daily prize giving I won a brand new Look 586 frame (£2k of new frame).  Was really chuffed and was called on stage for a quick interview…”is this your first or second HR?”…”Last” [Ed: hilarious]…”what sort of bike do you ride”…”a brand new Parlee…does anyone want to buy a Look frame?”.

I am finishing this off in the hotel restaurant…a group of young guys on another table were chatting about what I had said…”what a dick that guy was who won the frame…you wouldn't say that” … another … “He is on Twitter…Anyone want to look at his profile” … At which point I called over … “he's over here … You can ask me directly”. Pin drop silence & Bright red faces at the table!

Forecast for tomorrow is hot again…Wooohoooooo

(Replies from friends to this blog entry…)
Do let me get this right…
The hardest physical thing you've ever done in your life and you decide to start systematically dehydrating yourself with drugs and alcohol?!

Paul Bailey

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Stop moaning yer puff and get peddling!

Have fun,
Bernie

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Now that's more like it man. Real macho stuff.

Get stuck into the beer amigo. Fill yer boots.

Break a leg.
Bern

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Usual tact noted…

Keep it up !

Tony

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Praise the lord you are drinking again, we can now have a decent conversation!!! Good luck for the rest of the race.

xx Ruth

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I personally take full credit for yesterday's win: it's all because the day before you got a delicious lunch according to your specifications, good company, super-positive thoughts, friendly vibes, etc.

But for today's win, I'm not so sure, maybe you contributed a bit. Congratulations for the beer, Steve! (Better than a new frame).

And do take care of yourself tomorrow, I'll be thinking of you.
Véro.

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No Guts, No Glory……..keep buggerin' on lad, we're all behind you.

Rog and Hil xxxxx)

Day 2: Megeve – Courchevel 105km, 2700 m+ 2 cols

(Only 14 more cols to go.)

Oooh that felt better…was asked if I wanted a Brazilian!

Ok so on yesterdays ride I hadn't had any alcohol since New Year and felt like death…in fact was sure I was going to give up (for you Paul…positive thoughts…I was positive I was going to give up.)

I had a single little bottle of beer at the end of the ride and today was so much better. A lesson there I think (well apart from it being only 32c and I kicked the drugs … Just Say No).

It's late in the evening so I will be quick.

Today was relatively straight-forward.  I am not riding strongly but I was also not feeling yuk…and I managed a sprint finish when some Yank (wearing a wooly jumper!!!) decided to try a sneaky move.

Tomorrow is THE big day: 140km, 4700m of climbing with 3 Hors Category mountains, then a day off (apart from the Time trial back up Alpe d'Huez).

All the teams had their team colours on today, and everyone loves their kit that Pente14% have provided for 12 teams.

And finally a Brazilian guy wants to swap his shirt with me at the end of the week.

I need some sleep, tomorrow is another big day – and what a day!

Day 3: Courchevel – Alpe d'Huez  136km, 4700 m+ 3 Hors Category Cols

Pain is temporary, Memories are forever…

Everyone was scared of today – this was effectively the same as Etape 1 when I ended up on a drip!

Although officially 137km, the first 24km were not timed as it was a dangerous descent with 600 riders, so it was 4,700m in 112km!!!! Oh yeah and 35c heat. Too much climbing in a short distance!

A lot of pain, suffering, worrying about the time, riding without water for an hour, but finished ahead of the cut off time; day 3 job done.

There is still a shed load of 4000+m days but this was the most concentrated.

But when you pass a guy with 1 arm and 1 leg on a 12% gradient, you don't have anything to complain about!

But I will, tomorrow.

Pain might be temporary, but how long is “temporary”.

Day 4: Alp d'Huez 14km, 1000 m+ ITT

It was the “day off” today …. Only a time trial up the 21 bends of Alpe d'Huez – simple.

Well, they decided not to have a cut-off time today so you could go as fast or as slow as possible. It crossed our minds that we might meet half way and have a coffee and some lunch – but perhaps the organisers may get their own back later in the week. Especially as they are very, very aggressive with the cut-off times! 1 second over and you are out!!!!!

And of course once you are on the course then the thoughts of holding back disappear.

It was the hottest day so far – 40c in the sun. One lady rider has been helicoptered to hospital due to extreme dehydration, and that is on a short 14km ride (admittedly up one of the most famous climbs of the Tour de France).

Straight after the finish I got my spot in the massage queue, and the young lady that did me is from Beaume de Venise (6km from our house in Le Barroux!).

Tomorrow, we’re back on the normal stages – 3 more mountains in 130km, and still stinking hot.

4 days and 9 mountains down …. 3 and 10 to go

Day 4 – Supplemental Blog

I just got an email from Colin, a good mix of encouragement and pisstaking but you have no idea how much I needed connection with a friend tonight.

For some reason I am so stressing about tomorrow.  I don't know why, it is less climbing, not as steep and more time than day 3…just something has got into my little brain!

The toughest bit is actually going to be right at the start when we go through gravel strewn roads … On a very steep and hairy descent – punctures at high speed…first really negative thoughts of the week.

As far as the positions in the race are concerned…I have honestly not bothered looking at them… Finishing is my goal…if I am last then it bothers me not!!

2 days in Alpe d'Huez has caused chaos in my room…an explosion of clothes and bike bits and bike and food and gels…holy mother of mercy this will take an age to clean up…guess it will remove the negatives!

We have a French Pooley and an English Pooley leading the men's and women's races.

English Emma (Olympic rider and former world champion) has been lovely to everyone.  It was a brilliant boost when a hero from the London Olympics was at a position half way up the time trial today shouting me on …. I know, just a little thing, but she needn't have taken the time to do it!!!

Some more replies to my blog…

I am suffering from heat exhaustion just reading your latest mad mad account, good luck for tomorrow etc etc personally off to pub for a large cider….Ruth

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Well done mate…I see you are climbing the rankings day by day. I estimate another 24 days and you'll be in the top ten over 50s!

Presumably its now all down-hill to the coast – you wish!
Col
P.S. I've left a cold beer in a bar in Alexandria with your name on it.

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Keep it up Steve, it looks absolutely awesome, we so admire your sheer guts and determination. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!
R and Hxxxx

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Stay positive Stevie, the gravel rash won't hurt as long as you fall over the edge of the precipice and plummet to your death.
Paul Bailey

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I am loving the accounts mate, wish I was with you! I am in mind 🙂 Keep it going you are amazing 🙂
Andrew Bennett

Day 5: Alpe d'Huez – Risoul 136km, 3700 m+ 4 cols

Email from Steve's Wendy.
Dear all supporters of the MAMIL:

The hero has delegated the emailing to me as he has no Internet connection. I could say all is well, but more like the sweet torture is nearly over and he is hanging in. Just one more day to go and I feel sure he will do it – but I think any help from those of us who believe in summoning “other” assistance might be worth trying!

I find myself very proud of him, even though I now definitely know he is not quite normal…..why would you do this to yourself I have asked many times over the last 9 months.

Hey ho the end is within reach and I for one will be very glad.

Allez Steve!!!!
Wendy. Xx

This was a day of 4 cols and 3,700m.

I finished 2.5hrs ahead of the cutoff but I was knackered at the end…

It was an easier day and a harder one as I got suckered into riding harder between climbs within “chain gangs” (a great way to ride quicker with less energy but only if you are in a group of the same ability…and as there were not ageing weaklings about then I was going far too fast for my own good.)

We went through stunning areas … the most beautiful being the top of Izoard (2,300m …. Equivalent of nearly twice the height of Ben Nevis) …. And the last 2 km were awesome…until the pain of the climb reminded me that this wasn't a sightseeing trip.  The other side is a stunning descent … Consistently over 70kph and great bends.

Tomorrow is about the same climbing but because it is 30km shorter and we have 2 hours less to do it in.  The organisers really don't put any importance into how steep or high we are going, just how far…Hmmmmmmmm.

We will be riding on the highest road in Europe … Cime de la Bonette … At nearly 3,000m! [Ed: this is VeloNomad’s #1 bucket climb in Europe. Stelvio #2).

Only 2 more days to survive!  I am so looking forward to it finishing and also not!

But if anyone sees me near a bike again …. Etc

It's also Wendy's birthday tomorrow…Sorry xxxxx I'll make up for it (she could have the frame I won at the start of the week).

Hope I get to sleep tonight … Zzzzzzzz

Day 6 – Risoul – Auron 98km, 3200 m+ 3 cols

Down to the rivet.

It just keeps coming (sort of like the toilet report from last night 🙁 )

The cut off times are based on the distance not the climbing … So today we had just as much climbing as yesterday but over a shorter distance … And even the mathematically challenged (Hope you are having a great hol, Tony) will realise the result … Basically 2hrs less to do the same as yesterday.

I climbed badly from the start…and we had the highest road in Europe to climb later.

The result of unfortunate nocturnal movements, 5 days racing, hot weather and old legs…a horrid horrid day.

With 5km to go before the top of the 2,800m climb I just wanted to cry…and couldn't…another rider alongside me said out of the blue…”I just want to cry”…Then just 500m from the top, the steepest slope of the day 16%…My chain came off…Trying to get back on was a nightmare at that gradient with legs that thought they belonged to my Dad.. … But I was determined I wasn't going to have the walk of shame to the top…Paul, at least it wasn't like our training ride back in January (thank god for Speedplay peddles).

I arrived at the top of that climb exactly on the cut off time…So I flew down the 25km descent at over 60kph average to make 15 minutes up for the final climb. This last climb was short and sharp and totally demoralising…I tried phoning a few people just to hear someone's voice.

I was 40 mins inside the cutoff but totally totally spent.  I was slumped over the handle bars for more than 5 mins…Someone led me to the shade and plied me with drinks … I lay there for half an hour and didn't want to move! … Or was that couldn't move!!

Tomorrow is the last one …. But instead of a social ride down to Nice, it is another 3,000m of climbing in 150km then 30km of descending to Nice ….along the main road in convoy … Into the sea … Then beaucoup beaucoup beaucoup beers … The official party then the Team Ireland (our team) have organised a post-party party in an Irish bar …..

… Then home to Wendy in Le Barroux (whose birthday it was today).

Day 7: Auron – Nice 171km, 2900m+ 3 Cols

Last Day…What a Day!

Guess what???! He's finished and is drinking beer!

Well done that boy – Heather Small singing that song just for Steve!!!

Wendy xxx

Oh yeah!

780km, 19 cols, 21,000m of climbing

• 1 used bike for sale
• High mileage
• May need new engine!

And that is the last big race for me …. EVER!

This is not a Steve Redgrave moment [Ed: read about Steve Redgrave – I had no idea] but a promise I made to Wendy.

She has let me become even more boring than normal (not possible, I hear the shouts from the cheap seats!) … She has put up with my obsession, the hundreds of hours of training, the diet fads, obscene amounts of money and the none stop single topic conversations …

Thank you, and I love you very much!

(…triathlons anyone?)

The finish was fantastic … Massive smiles and hugs … One guy had waited for me at the finish line (10km from our holding town) for ages to make sure I was fine as he had seen me crash earlier on (in fact after only 25 of the 178km)…I had done a superman impression over the handlebars and then bringing the bike with me and on top …. A bit of blood and bit of a sore shoulder, gears that didn't work for 2kms up a 10% gradient … But all ok.

Better than an accident that we are all fearing the news from … Someone went over the side at a high speed turn and they were looking in a ravine for the rider … We are all praying … [Ed: Swede Pontus Schultz died in this accident]

We had a couple of hours in a town in the hills above Nice … So a few beers there … Then a fantastic police led convoy through Nice along the seafront … Then straight into the sea in our kit …salt water … great for those saddle sores!

It is now 6:30 so have to get ready for the party then onto an Irish bar (I have been riding for Team Ireland and sponsored by this bar) … It may get messy.

More replies from the blog…

Well done Dad! Proud of you!

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I shall also have a celebratory beer for you! 😉
Xxx Jen

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It maybe messy but with your drinking abilities it should be short lived 😉

Fantastic achievement big brov….. I'll raise a glass or 2 this afternoon on sunny Tenerife.
Cheers John

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Well done,

Proud of ya, now you can mellow out, and be normal, we miss normal Steve.

I think you ve been moved to call sign MAVERICK not ICEMAN.

I'll be your FROOME Dog one day.
Riyadh

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Steve – Wow what an achievement.

Hope you get a chance to sit back and savour all the good bits plus have a lovely holiday in France with Wendy before you start planning your next great escapade.
Rita x

Summary

Well…it's over.

Was it worth it? You bet the sweet bejezuz it was!

But again – not for any physical achievement but for some incredible people and the experiences that they have given me…anyone can get on a bike…with a little time then anyone can achieve their mad ideas.

but without people around them then so what…

Steve
PS America Coast to Coast anyone?