The Devil's In The Detail!

Some time ago I remember having a conversation, which started with the phrase 'the next fundraising event has got to be an epic'.  As I recall, the conversation ended with me saying something along the lines of 'a 1000 miles is a nice round number, how difficult can it be?'.  Some 10 months later and I'm beginning to realise just how difficult cycling 1000 miles is actually going to be.  That's just the physical side of the equation - you've still got to make it to the startline with with all the arrangements and admin fully squared away before a pedal is turned in anger.  Any large scale event attracts a fairly heavy planning bill.  The RAFA 1000 Mile is no different.  To be honest, it makes our previous fundraising events, particularly last year's cycling event look like plastering compared to brain surgery - after the last couple of weeks I'd be happy to be a plasterer. 

We are 6 days away from rolling out of the gate and looking back I'm now seeing just how much cycling and more importantly, the RAF1000 has taken over my life.  Mrs RAFALO and the family have been relegated to cycling widows and orphans as the demands of training and planning have mounted up over the last few months.  Now I know why organised events are so attractive - simply do a spot of training and then turn up at the start and all the admin is sorted.  If only!

This week has seen the final touches  in the process of being grafted onto the plan.  The route is sorted and released, we've got places to stay over the 10 days on the road and most people who need to know we are inbound are now aware.  It's at this point, close to crossing the start line that sometimes the smallest detail can unravel the best laid plans - as always, the devil is in the detail.  Our media plan is coming together nicely and I'm hoping for some good coverage to help augment our fundraising, which is not far away from the £7000 mark at the moment.

I've always enjoyed my bike, I like it's simplicity, it's poise and the way it can raise morale after a rubbish day at work.  That's all history at the moment - I hate the thought of cycling, hate the thought of swinging my leg over my bike and I hate the thought of spending anymore time in the saddle grinding away on the hills.  Cycling has taken over my life, either cycling for training, spinning for training or working to complete the admin and arrangements in order to go cycling.  Now I realise why endurance athletes are so driven to succeed - it's a result of the demands of training.  I think next time I'll adopt the 'do it on the day' technique.  After all, what could possible go wrong?  It's only 1000 miles.......