A surreal moment this morning. Something I have been thinking about, and planning, and working my way towards for so long has actually begun. I still can’t quite believe it.
As the hour ticked closer to the designated start time I had to resist the urge to repack for the thousandth time.
My family, friends, and neighbours lined the street to wish me well and see me on my way. I’m glad my jelly legs managed to turn the pedals to the end of the street.
Luckily, Gareth, one of my two riding companions for the day, was there to put our minds into the present by breaking down within 3 kilometres of the start. Ten minutes later and one fixed tyre and we resumed.
Gareth left Tom and I with a belly full of cake, allowing us to ride the Chiltern Hills, the greenways of Hertfordshire, and the canals of Essex to our stop for the night and an end to an excellent first day.
Bencyclopedia - The Mid-life Cyclist 
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