It’s been 2 years since I walked the way of St James. Everyday life is once again an all consuming mistress that eats my time. I still thing of those days walking across the Aubrac plateau and the Spanish Mesata in scorching sunshine. I, and thousands of other pilgrims were so lucky in 2011, the weather was sublime. My hat is off to anyone who undertook the walk last year as they were not so lucky…
I am at present sitting by a swimming pool in the Costa Brava, Spain. Looking after a school group that depart today. My mind is drifting between the things I have achieved in my life and the things I have yet to accomplish, along with the odd regret. I can’t help but feel it is time to start planning another challenge for myself, I know I will walk to Santiago again but for now I want something bigger.
When I set off from Le Puy en Velay on the 20th April 2011 I knew I had almost a thousand miles in front of me, I hadn’t trained, my bag weighed 28kg and I was wearing bad walking boots. I managed it in 65 days.
So how long would it take to cycle across America. Now I believe it is approximately 3000 miles, walking comes easier to me than cycling. I think I can cycle about quarter of a mile before my legs burn and I’m out of breath.
I’m even closer to 40, I’m smoking again, I’ve done no exercise since my 1000 mile walk and the idea of riding 3000 miles scares the crap out of me…
So is this a challenge I should start planning? I guess I better have a word with UNICEF and see what they think!