Decision.

A crazy idea, months of training, a brief cancer scare... what do these things have in common?  They've lead me to where I am now, which is where I have been all along.  I am going to ride my bicycle over 800km in the hottest part of summer across two states and one territory.

There have been a lot of things to get in my way this year, particularly my health, then my time got taken up with a boyfriend, whom I was hoping would be someone special.  Unfortunately that wasn't the case. I could go on about this in great detail, but I'll keep it simple.  I gave him every chance under the sun.  I ended it when it became untenable.  I'm glad and relieved that it's over.  He didn't really take it so well, but I'm fresh out of sympathy.

Now, events in my life seem to be pushing me out of the door, and I can almost feel the long dry miles calling my name.  Work has settled down, I'll be very busy early next year, but for now I seem to be working actual business hours as opposed to my more usual 10-12 hour days.  The days are longer, allowing me to take a quick jaunt up black mountain on my way home from work to get some extra hills into my legs.

I'm in the process of buying a house, and will probably move as soon as I get back to the ACT next year.... 

So, I have made a decision.  I am going to pack up my house, put my things in storage (save for my bicycle and what I need for the ride), and hit the road as I've been planning all along on the 15th of December.

This means quite simply, that I have made the decision to go all the way, to not give myself a choice, or an option to fail and turn around.  I will be on my bicycle, on the road, pretty much armed with a clean pair of socks and a can of Bushmans. (god I love that stuff) The only way out will be through.

I think the crazy and lengthy sequence of events that has made my life this year has had a theme....  It doesn't matter what happens, around me.  I've learned that I can take down just about any barrier between me and my goals.  As long as I make the determined decision to do it, I'll make it happen.  Well... two themes, my personal grit. (or as one of my old ATC mentors said to me "a good bit of mongrel") and my desire to conquer the distance between myself and my family under my own power.

I don't know how regular my internet access will be while on the road, but I'll blog "old school" and keep a notebook and pen with me for the journey.  I'll try and take a few photos to share while I'm at it.  Due time constraints associated with finalising training, packing my house,  going through the contract exchange process, co-ordinating visiting family for Christmas, slowly churning through my novel, tying up loose ends at work and my volunteer work, I may not blog again before I go.

Thanks for reading guys! see you soon!