It's Yours English. I've Ridden My Age, I'm Done

Why try and ride 330km in a day? Simple; I'm a stubborn old man and it was a stupid idea.

Just when some of the youngsters were making their way home from a Saturday night out I was creaking out of bed and saddling up for a long day on the bike.

Ride 330km on a road bike in one day was the aim as I stupidly decided just a week ago to 'Ride My Age' just to see if I could.

I've realised lately that I've been racing mountain bikes for years with all the wrong intentions. Time to face the facts. Jason English, your Solo 24 Hour perch is safe from me, I'm just not made from the same knicks as the speedy men.

So for me riding and 'racing' now is going to be more about the memories, and before you think I'm getting all hippy I mean memories that'll make me smile when I really am old and my grandkids are the only ones able to do skids in the driveway.

Ride 330km in a day? Bloody hell this memory will stick with me for a while. I mean, why do that!

Solo 12 and 24 hour races? I'm looking forward to these this year however it won't be to 'race', it'll be for my own challenges and that's the beauty of it.

Team races, hell yeah bring these on and we'll crank out some laps before kicking back and actually enjoying the event vibe.

So I've ridden my age and it's on from one stupid idea to the next. Did someone say Everest In A Day....Stay tuned.

Photo: Thirroul beach at 5:15am. Scenic but I had other places to be.

It's a damn strange feeling rolling out the door at 3:30am and firing up the Ay Ups and there was barely a soul around until I hit Wollongong. It's proven now, Ay Up's blind the crap out of sea bunnies and drunk fools equally as well as allowing you to fly past in one piece.

Photo: With the changing of the guard done from the drunken fools stumbling home to the early walkers with their coffees the sun was rising over Wollongong Harbour.

Photo: First lap done and there's only two more to go. Pity the damn wind picked later in the day.

Photo: My little friend from the Stanwell Park shop must have thought I was weird coming back 2 times 4 hours apart (he was closed the first time at 5:00am!) in desperate search of coke and red bulls.

Photo: Food. Give me some. 210km down and I was starting to feel a little worse for wear. Preparing to head out for the final lap.

Photo: And we are done. 331km, 2,481 climbing and 12.5 hours riding. Ride Your Age, I'm already dreading the 340km next year.

Bryton GPS data file link is here.