The idea behind the name of the blog was quite simple: curiousity is a good thing - it leads us to try new experiences, see new things and meet new people. All of which enrich us. The thought that (with the significant exception of all debilitating medical conditions): if it doesn't kill you then even if it doesn't make you stronger, the chances are you'll have an amusing tale to tell afterwards.
The theory is sound. The practice is ridiculous. It was this 'theory' that led me to agreeing to go on a long, long bike ride. 750 miles across Europe? For charity? Without having to use up any of my leave? Sounds great!
The overly excitable part of my brain jumped at the chance, immediately over-ruling common sense which was left muttering things like "you don't even own a road bike" and "despite what you think, you're not actually that fit" in the background.
Today, with the long, long ride a matter of weeks away and the training only just having begun, common sense is sitting with quite a smug grin that just screams, without any need for words, "I told you so".
Having spent far too long deliberating over bikes and precious little time riding them the training proper started today. After the very strange training ride 1 around Richmond Park (the reason for it being so-calIed I shall explain at another time) before the ski trip, I today rode into work. And back. It's not all that far. Maybe 7 or 8 miles each way - about a tenth of what we'll do every day when we cycle from Innsbruck to London.
Given how (pathetically) tough cycling to and from work was, it is sufficient to say that I have a lot of work ahead of me. The thought of the Austria ride is currently just a little bit sickening. That said, I'm signed up now. There is nothing else for it but to become a cycling god over the next few weeks. Everyone has to start somewhere.
Time to the big ride: 1 month, 20 days, 12 hours.
Weight: 89.7kgs (the (somewhat unusual) success of the annual New Year's health kick being hit by the ski trip to Canada, and the traditional lie that it doesn't matter how many burgers you eat when skiing as you'll burn them off anyway).
Confidence: Low
