Dave Langley - Bluff Ho!!! Day 15 & Epilogue

I have to admit I am sitting in my lounge room writing this final day's blog and wrap up as I was unable to borrow a computer yesterday and it seemed that I may have been speaking another language from the blank look on the face of the hotel receptionist when I asked for directions to the local Ivercargill 'Internet cafe'. Although I was that tired I was probably slurring my words so I think we both subtly agreed to discuss the beautiful weather instead.

Beautiful weather is exactly what we were blessed with on the ride into Invercargill and the Bluff. This whole camp has been blessed with fantastic NZ conditions. Even the wet and cold day's didn't seem so bad (in hindsight of course). Reading the local paper we could have experienced some of the worst weather in years had we been scheduled to arrive a week earlier. The tailwind on the run into Bluff was phenomenal. I was sitting 3rd wheel in the group when the call came that we were doing about 41-44kmh with an average wattage of about 90. Now that's easy riding! After Day 14's hills on the ride through to Balclutha it was well deserved. I could not have imagined what it would have been like if the conditions were different!

It is safe to day that I am sufficiently shagged after 15 days of solid exercise. Approximately 120 hours of swim, run & riding does that and I only did the camp minimums. I was in absolute awe of guys like Lordy, Petro and Dave Craig who pushed themselves both physically and mentally to the next level. A good dose of fear of failure kept me from doing anything that may have jeopardised my ability to complete the camp but these guys were not afraid of that, maybe there is a lesson in that for me - if and or when I attempt another EPIC Camp.

I have definitely left this camp in a great mental state; hopefully I won't fall to deep into a post camp depression. Reality hits hard when you get back to your 'real' life and realise that you have to look after the other facets of your life like preparing dinner, washing up, ironing etc that has been the last thing on your mind during the camp. On that note I must once again thank the entire coaching and support staff that worked tirelessly to ensure this camp went off without a hitch (well from my perspective it did). A normal EPIC camp is a massive logistical exercise let alone this 15 day point to point version! So thanks to Dave Dwan and John Newsom and all the support crew who joined us at various stages along the way to assist us acheive some massive personal and athletic goals.

I am glad that the documetary crew was there as in the years to come when I am boring people with my adventures I will be able to prove it!! Can't wait to see the footage as it all seems like such a blur at the moment, I am so happy that all the photos and lots of people kept blogs as they will keep me motivated in the seasons to come.

Finally thanks to all my fellow campers. One of the special things about the camp is that it brings together people from all different backgrounds but with common goals. I have met some fantastic people and hope to see them again someday. Thanks everybody.

Cheers, Dave Langley