I only got round to cleaning my cyclocross bike and taking this race number off this weekend. The number is splattered with mud, and will stay that way. It is from the Scotland Coast to Coast.

The race was a bit special for me. The result was better than I hoped for, but more than that, I rediscovered a forgotten part of me. A deep level of determination, thriving on exhaustion, enjoying the pain. I remembered why I do this, and made up my mind to do more.

I’ve made and broken too many promises to myself in the last few years. I’ll be keeping this one.