Thank you. I'm getting there. Still not quite right but a hell of a lot better than I was. Test results came back today and things seem to be getting back to normal thankfully
Thanks for showing the lows as well as the highs. Enjoying watching your challenges and looking forward to taking on Chase The Sun later this year. Not quite as epic as your rides but we all have to start somewhere.
You made the right decision, the easy one would have been to try and carry on, but you were brave enough to see the right thing to do even though it leads to disappointment. Knowing your achievements in the past this was obviously not easy for you. Really appreciate you documenting this challenge.
Morning Chris, apologies for a belated watch & reply....... It's a terrible feeling when you are fully prepared and then something goes wrong: and you can't continue. You made the call. Health first. There's always a next time👍. Still an insightful, very honest vlog Chris. Pleased you managed to enjoy your Calpe trip. Have a good week 👍
Chris, thank you so much for being real and honest with folks. It creates space for others to do the same and know that they're not alone when they face their own struggles. A similar thing happened to me this past summer - I got brutally sick enroute to Kyrgyzstan for SRMR, started the race anyways and got too ill to carry on over the first few days, scratching at the end of the third day. It's absolutely heart breaking to have to make that choice, but we only have one body and there will always be more "races". Kudos to you for making the choice to put your health first and holding the bigger picture at the center of it all. I hope we cross paths at one of these wild events some day soon - inspired by how you show up in this community and everything that you share. I hope you've recovered well by now💖
Thanks, Mel for the kind words. I'm sure we will cross paths somewhere in some strange part of the world at some point! Still not quite 100% but hugely better than I was for sure.
Mega respect for sharing all this Chris. All to easy to avoid putting the tough stuff and those vulnerable moments out into the world. Sorry it didn’t turn out the way you wanted but glad to hear you’re on the mend.
UA-cam is full of unrealistic ultra videos, it nice to see that real life shit happens and how people deal with it, I actually found your film inspirational and can’t wait for your next adventure, well done fella 👍🏻
You should watch my TCR video from last Summer, nearly fell to pieces during the off-road final parcour, certainly reached my lowest point, but after that had past you somehow find the mental strength to push through... I mean your riding in a foreign country miles away from home - what else is there to do but pedal?
What a shame, a real bummer for you. To feel you're not okay must have been so disappointing after all the prep that must have gone into the trip. At least you gave it your all. Next year better!!
Thanks for sharing Chris. Yes the Taxis in Morocco are a bit crazy. All part of the experience... Am sure sunny days and some awesome riding are just around the corner.
Credit where credit is due for making this video - can't imagine what you where going through. Ill in a foreign country is one thing but competing and making a video takes it to a whole new level. Rest up & take care.
@@ChrisHallRides but it does show hope ( & inspiration ) .... if pros like you have struggle then it makes me feel better when i have issue(s) during ultra events. Its refreshing to see the real/raw issues/challenges you come up against. Where's the value in a film that shows everyone smiling & having fun ... none & we learn nothing. take care.
Wowser. Looks a beautiful place. Cannot imagine how hard this race is even when well - never mind when you cannot eat for being sick. Did well to start I think. Do not beat yourself up. Did much much more than most would be able to. Hope your all good now.
Amazing video. You captured it really well and I'm still a little envious of the views you got of that first mountain pass in the daylight. That decathlon trip saved my race but kind of regret not getting the woman's baby blue. Looking forward to bumping into you again later this year.
Glad am not the only one to have adorned women's clothing, I think it was this time last year, 200km audax diy with about 80km to get home, sun already down at 4, temperature falling, reached a town and found an Aldi's. Wheeling my bike insde the foyer as you do, I dashed to the middle aisle looking for a jacket of some kind and the only one I could find that both fit and would keep me warm was a black, hooded women's jacket. With it being black it looks pretty unisex in my eyes, still wear it, shhh tell no-one!
Hey. You felt bad and gave it a shot. There is always next year. Know that won't help but you have some good mates to help pull you thru. Stay positive and take care, Al
This was so sad to watch... kudos for sharing it, for respecting your body despite the pressure due to all the preparation and the audience watching. To my eyes you're stronger than someone risking his health "because it's a race". Get well soon. Other sunny days are coming 🌞
Buddy, you must be heartbroken. That is such annoying luck. You were so prepared too! There will be other events but before then, just ride your bike for a while without the pressure of training. Remind yourself how simple a pleasure it can be. And later find the next event
Watched Josh's videos of the race, he wasn't well too, but at least you live to fight another day. Not the way you would wish the race to go, as always keeping it real, maybe third time lucky. !!!!!
Had something like a heatstroke/coldfever when planning to traverse the Nullabour in Australia: It's dangerous to force yourself through such illness because you wont be able to deal with anything anymore and get back to civilisation. Best you pulled out, seeing you ill and freezing in the middle of the night is traumatic and does only make things worse.
As soon as the video started you could see something wasn't quite right. Am sure on reflection you will won't regret starting the race, for many even starting something so grandiose is a big mental challenge before even the wheels turn. Be interested so what you've got coming up next. In the meantime it's time recoup, refocus Winter out the way and look forward to good weather and better days.
@@ChrisHallRides Lael Wilcox, the Tour Divide women record holder has also the dropbar MTB. It starts to be respected concept. Looking forward for the mine!
Oh bugger ! , well u gave it a good go , but cold flu type stuff can be really debilitating physically and mentally . I can't think of any doctor ,well maybe a witch doctor who would prescribe camping outdoors in minus 6 , cycling in middle of nowhere with 1000s feet elevation a good remedy cure, well done for just making it out there
Better you stopped than ended up with myocarditis and end your career , at least you lived to fight another day , getting CP1 is more than most of us could do even at our best !
Those events are hard enough without being ill! Good call on withdrawing the ride.
Thanks mate
Chris, bad luck with getting poorly. Chapeau for showing the dark side of an epic trip and by now hope you’re back to full health.
Thank you. I'm getting there. Still not quite right but a hell of a lot better than I was. Test results came back today and things seem to be getting back to normal thankfully
@@ChrisHallRides Watched your Calpe vlogs and you're definitely getting the fitness back. 💪
You are so strong and driven. I appreciate all the effort and realism you displayed in this video. Please take care of yourself.
Thank you. I'm certainly on the mend now. Thanks for the kind words.
Thanks so much Chris for being real and such a warrior. To see the darker side of bad days makes the brighter times all that sweeter ❤
I appreciate that. Thank you
Glad to meet you there Chris! Really enjoyed talking with you! Great man!
Lovely to meet you too!
Gutted you had terrible luck. I know you’ll take it on the chin and crack on with your next challenge. Thanks for sharing 💪
Not easy to stop but the right call ,chapeau and thanks for posting .
Thank you for watching
Always real, salt of the earth, honest, and inspiring. Pulling out due to illness was the right decision. I so enjoy your channel.
Thanks so much I really appreciate it.
Thanks for showing the lows as well as the highs. Enjoying watching your challenges and looking forward to taking on Chase The Sun later this year. Not quite as epic as your rides but we all have to start somewhere.
Glad you like them! That’s still an epic adventure!
You made the right decision, the easy one would have been to try and carry on, but you were brave enough to see the right thing to do even though it leads to disappointment. Knowing your achievements in the past this was obviously not easy for you. Really appreciate you documenting this challenge.
Yeah you are completely right there. It was disappointing but the right choice. Not an easy choice but it is what it is.
Tough watch that buddy. Thank you for sharing it starts and all. Big love.
Thank you mate. Tough one to share but hopefully helpful to someone.
Morning Chris, apologies for a belated watch & reply....... It's a terrible feeling when you are fully prepared and then something goes wrong: and you can't continue. You made the call. Health first. There's always a next time👍. Still an insightful, very honest vlog Chris. Pleased you managed to enjoy your Calpe trip. Have a good week 👍
Thanks for the kind words and for watching, Graham
Fair play for having a go, you didn’t stand a chance really did you.
Love an honest UA-cam video!!
2024……?
Thank you. To be honest I think I won't go back in 2024 but you never know. My mind may change later in the year.
Aw mate you did sound really rough, hats off to you for still filming bits when that ill. Glad that you're feeling better now.
Thanks mate. Hard to film still to be honest but I'm glad Jack and I still managed to make something of it.
Such a tough break getting sick after all that training and prep. You did the right thing bailing out, live to ride new challenges in the future.
Yeah I think it was the right decision.
Even the palm trees looked sad at the end when you tried to end it on a high note 😂😂😂 great video Chris. Honest and real.
Hahahaha yeah they look awful right?!
Really honest video, not everything can be great all the time. Thanks for being so open and honest about your experience!
Thank you I appreciate the kind words
Chris, thank you so much for being real and honest with folks. It creates space for others to do the same and know that they're not alone when they face their own struggles. A similar thing happened to me this past summer - I got brutally sick enroute to Kyrgyzstan for SRMR, started the race anyways and got too ill to carry on over the first few days, scratching at the end of the third day. It's absolutely heart breaking to have to make that choice, but we only have one body and there will always be more "races". Kudos to you for making the choice to put your health first and holding the bigger picture at the center of it all. I hope we cross paths at one of these wild events some day soon - inspired by how you show up in this community and everything that you share. I hope you've recovered well by now💖
Thanks, Mel for the kind words. I'm sure we will cross paths somewhere in some strange part of the world at some point! Still not quite 100% but hugely better than I was for sure.
Mega respect for sharing all this Chris. All to easy to avoid putting the tough stuff and those vulnerable moments out into the world. Sorry it didn’t turn out the way you wanted but glad to hear you’re on the mend.
Thank you. I agree it's important to share this kind of thing to hopefully show that there's no failure, just lessons learnt.
UA-cam is full of unrealistic ultra videos, it nice to see that real life shit happens and how people deal with it, I actually found your film inspirational and can’t wait for your next adventure, well done fella 👍🏻
You should watch my TCR video from last Summer, nearly fell to pieces during the off-road final parcour, certainly reached my lowest point, but after that had past you somehow find the mental strength to push through... I mean your riding in a foreign country miles away from home - what else is there to do but pedal?
Thank you Warren, I do appreciate it. Like you say, shit happens right? Got to try and make the best of the cards we are given
What a shame, a real bummer for you. To feel you're not okay must have been so disappointing after all the prep that must have gone into the trip. At least you gave it your all. Next year better!!
Yeah shit happens right? Health first the race will be there again
Thanks for sharing Chris.
Yes the Taxis in Morocco are a bit crazy. All part of the experience...
Am sure sunny days and some awesome riding are just around the corner.
Thank you for watching. Yeah haha the Taxis are mad but like you say all part of the adventure haha
Bravo for getting to check point, it looked painful, and thanks for sharing with us 👍
Thanks for watching!🫶
Credit where credit is due for making this video - can't imagine what you where going through. Ill in a foreign country is one thing but competing and making a video takes it to a whole new level.
Rest up & take care.
Thanks man, I wasn't sure if I should or not as it really doesn't show a lot but I hope it helps others somehow?
@@ChrisHallRides but it does show hope ( & inspiration ) .... if pros like you have struggle then it makes me feel better when i have issue(s) during ultra events.
Its refreshing to see the real/raw issues/challenges you come up against. Where's the value in a film that shows everyone smiling & having fun ... none & we learn nothing.
take care.
Wow, I think it’s still an impressive effort despite you’re illness. These dark places are where we find out who we are right… 👊🏻
Yep exactly
Wowser. Looks a beautiful place.
Cannot imagine how hard this race is even when well - never mind when you cannot eat for being sick.
Did well to start I think. Do not beat yourself up. Did much much more than most would be able to.
Hope your all good now.
Thank you mate. I'm pleased I at least started.
Great honest vlog ...too offered we watch other people's vlogs and we get
" this is amazing , I am amazing " ...rest up , you will be back !!
Thank you. I appreciate you saying that too. I think it's important to show the shit and the good.
So gutted for you Chris, but fair play you tried while you were grim.
Onwards and upwards, hope you’re feeling a bit better. 🎉🎉🙏🙏🙏🏁🏁
Thank you for the kind words
Awesome you took a disposable camera with you!!!
Yeah I’m definitely doing it for more events
Amazing video. You captured it really well and I'm still a little envious of the views you got of that first mountain pass in the daylight. That decathlon trip saved my race but kind of regret not getting the woman's baby blue. Looking forward to bumping into you again later this year.
Glad am not the only one to have adorned women's clothing, I think it was this time last year, 200km audax diy with about 80km to get home, sun already down at 4, temperature falling, reached a town and found an Aldi's. Wheeling my bike insde the foyer as you do, I dashed to the middle aisle looking for a jacket of some kind and the only one I could find that both fit and would keep me warm was a black, hooded women's jacket.
With it being black it looks pretty unisex in my eyes, still wear it, shhh tell no-one!
Thank you mate. It was great to hang out a little bit before the race too. Looking forward to seeing you later this year at some other events mate
Chris you are the man thank you for the video
Thank you for watching
Never good to see, but your day will come again mate. Health over ego every time and pulling out was the right call.
Thank you mate. I am certainly sure it was the right call as it's taken me nearly a month to be back to pretty good health
Hi Chris great content. I imagine its not always easy to film, let alone share with everyone. Hope you are recovering well.
Thanks you. Yeah a hard one to film and share but I think important still to show
Hey. You felt bad and gave it a shot. There is always next year. Know that won't help but you have some good mates to help pull you thru. Stay positive and take care, Al
Thank you
This was so sad to watch... kudos for sharing it, for respecting your body despite the pressure due to all the preparation and the audience watching. To my eyes you're stronger than someone risking his health "because it's a race". Get well soon. Other sunny days are coming 🌞
Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
@@ChrisHallRides compared to the time you take to film & edit, it's a minimum.
Love your honesty Chris . Glad you’re ok . Sending good vibes .
I appreciate that. Thank you
Buddy, you must be heartbroken. That is such annoying luck. You were so prepared too! There will be other events but before then, just ride your bike for a while without the pressure of training. Remind yourself how simple a pleasure it can be. And later find the next event
Yeah exactly there's plenty of other events out there.
Good video showing the true efforts. Not how you wanted it but you tried.
Thanks 👍 It's part of ultra cycling. Hopefully more talking about the ups and downs will help other people too
You're an amazing person. Hope we cross paths at some point.
Thank you :)
Watched Josh's videos of the race, he wasn't well too, but at least you live to fight another day. Not the way you would wish the race to go, as always keeping it real, maybe third time lucky. !!!!!
Josh is a lovely guy. A lot of time for him. He also was very unwell later on in the race. A lot of people seemed to be struck down this year.
"It's 1302 kilometers to the finish, we've got a big gilet and lobster gloves, it's dark and we're wearing sunglasses..."
Hero.
Had something like a heatstroke/coldfever when planning to traverse the Nullabour in Australia: It's dangerous to force yourself through such illness because you wont be able to deal with anything anymore and get back to civilisation. Best you pulled out, seeing you ill and freezing in the middle of the night is traumatic and does only make things worse.
Having something like that when going to cross the Nullabor too would have been pretty horrid as well I'm sure.
Gutted for you mate, but the right decision to bail, next time
Brave person to show themselves at their weakest moments . Bravo. Be well
Thank you I appreciate itv
I never thought ide see Nigel Mansel crying on the side of a moroccan mountain
Thanks Chris...be safe , sir " Camels on a beach " ...a Duran Duran B-side ?
Hahahaha
Hey, which extensions bridge do you use? Thanks and best regards
Profile design
As soon as the video started you could see something wasn't quite right. Am sure on reflection you will won't regret starting the race, for many even starting something so grandiose is a big mental challenge before even the wheels turn. Be interested so what you've got coming up next. In the meantime it's time recoup, refocus Winter out the way and look forward to good weather and better days.
I don't regret starting that's for sure. I still managed to learn a lot from my experience and thats what matters. Thanks for the kind words mate
When you get ready for something like this, do you follow a training plan? / have a trainer ?
Yep I work with a coach: www.buckleyperformancecoaching.co.uk/
Any reason you put down the dropbars? Or this race was prior Badlands?
This was February 2023. I broke my wrists March 2023. Drop bar hard tail was done in summer 2023
@@ChrisHallRides Lael Wilcox, the Tour Divide women record holder has also the dropbar MTB. It starts to be respected concept. Looking forward for the mine!
I know Lael well. She wasn’t the first to do it though. People have been doing it for probably 40 odd years
warrior
In the words of Forrest Gump - "Shit - it happens!" - never mind Chris, sure the next one will be a good'un 👍🏻
He said said a lot of wise things didn't he?
Oh bugger ! , well u gave it a good go , but cold flu type stuff can be really debilitating physically and mentally . I can't think of any doctor ,well maybe a witch doctor who would prescribe camping outdoors in minus 6 , cycling in middle of nowhere with 1000s feet elevation a good remedy cure, well done for just making it out there
Thanks, I appreciate it
Better you stopped than ended up with myocarditis and end your career , at least you lived to fight another day , getting CP1 is more than most of us could do even at our best !
Yeah I'm pleased I managed to get to CP1. Still class that as a mini win.