Edge of the hotel bed.

Lycra on. Lycra off.

While the Moderatorrr was on the edge of her seat.

Waiting for the dee-sizion.

The body and bike says YES.

The mind? In a different place.

Always in a different place.

When the body and mind don’t meet in the middle you know it’s a no-go.

Look at that picture of Orrrstralia.

They don’t call it the “Red Centre” for nothing.

Red.

And very farrrrrrrr*ing angry and unforgiving at this time of year.

In the lycra. Packed. Good. To.Go.

Of course he can do it.

The body feels unstoppable now.

He’s just warmed up.

This is how he likes it.

Something is stopping him.

A sixth sense ensuring survival.

That’s not being dramatic.

So, that’s it?

Disappointment?

The Moderatorr went for a jaunt to BNE airport to collect the dot.

Like connect the dots. But different.

Ole Willy strolled out of that Airport like he’d just been to Hawaii.

Fabulous. But far*ing annoying.

Show.me.the.pain….mate.

He’s too happy for my liking.

But on the way home to the GC it twigged.

This is good.

Without the help of his Garmin device, he’s turned a corner.

He knows now.

He’s gone far enough.

And he is, finally, enough.

ENOUGH LAMENTING. How hot sh*t are those riders left on the course.

The mother in me wants to scream at them.

The mother in me wants to encourage them.

No judgement. They are doing their thing.

But jeez.

I can’t watch. Anymore. For now.

Until I wanna see where that Magical White Rhino is. What a starrrrr!

Thankssssssooomuch

Kane, Guy and Co – What a team. And what a bike shop

Tony and Mario – Todd’s mafia-sounding bro’s. He’d be nowhere without you.

The gorgeous family and friends leaving messages.

Invaluable.

Box of tissues.

Didn’t realise anyone actually gave a ‘sh8t’. Says Willy.

He didn’t save the world. He didn’t ride for charity ( post-ride regret).

But he did do his best.

That’s all any of us need to do.

And seriously – Willy!

You raw, rough as guts crazy little person.

I think at 55 years young, finishing top 10 (at least to Rocky) in one of Australia’s hardest bikepacking events gives you sh*t loads of street cred.

No mountain-f8ing-biking-idea.

So tomorrow. My man.

I’ll be deflating your head.

Because we’re off to buy taps and bathroom tiles etc – for your next challenge.

The “reno”.

What a man.

My man. Ole Willy.