At the foot of the climb

Whenever my wife is getting ready to go out for a ride she without fail tells me that she’s got Schmetterlinge im Bauch. German for butterflies in the stomach. Now she’s been riding bikes for over 15 years but that feeling still arises about 5 minutes before we head out of the door. It’s the same feeling I get whenever I approach the bottom of a hill. That hill can be as short as a 3 min effort, or as long as 25km alpine monster. I feel it all the same.

I’m not the world’s fittest, or lightest, or youngest cyclist, but I’m in shape and can get up and over pretty much any climb that’s put in front of me (levels of swearing may vary depending on tiredness, steepness, relative speed of other riders I’m with). But I still get that nervous excited feeling.

It’s also the feeling I get launching this new project.

And just like heading out to do a climb, I know I’ve done the training, the preparation, I’m feeling fresh and know I can do it, but I can’t shake the Schmetterlinge.

I guess it’s that sense of heading into the unknown. Am I really fit enough? Have i underestimated the hill? Have I eaten enough? Can I keep up with my mates?

The only way I ever find out is by pushing on the pedals and heading upwards. No doubt there will be lots of hard work, sweating, highs and lows, swearing, beautiful moments, fun, desperation, and ultimately a sense of achievement when I get to the top.

I hope you can come on this climb with me - and don’t worry if you’ve got Schmetterlinge in Bauch.

We all get them.