A couple of months have passed since returning to home soil and I thought I’d provide a bit of an update.
Having spent my 2 weeks in self isolation quarantine only leaving my room for my 1 daily allocation of exercise, I was thrilled to be allowed to expand to the rest of the house and see the family.
With lockdown looking to be in place for several months, I set about looking for a new job, getting used to spending time with other people besides my own head and still getting out on the bike.
The roads here in the Uk are far worse than most places I’ve travelled to sadly. The cars are generally a bit more risky with close passes aswell. To make matters worse, having spent 9 months in 30+ degrees, it was averaging around 10 degrees here.
Weeks passed with this routine with no end in sight. The job market was slow however the weather had blossomed into stunning sunshine even requiring sun cream at points.
Match became April, April became May, and now it’s June. The Uk is starting to reopen and the weather is now (slowly) improving. I have however, had a little accident.
Whilst cycling back home from Henley, my chain broke whilst I was stood up pedalling which caused me to lose control and hit the road hard.
As soon as I stopped sliding I got up, picked up my bike and sat on the kerb, shaking. There was a fair amount of blood but I was definitely in shock. Amazingly a couple of cars passed and asked if I was okay, I said I was fine and they left.
A minivan driven by a fellow cyclist pulled over and offered me a lift home which I accepted. As soon as I was home I was ushered into the car to go straight to hospital as apparently you could see bone.
An hour and a quarter of cleaning, stitching and bandaging later, I was discharged. I had finally got some colour back into my face and was no longer in shock and headed home. A&E was so empty that I practically walked straight to the plastics room.
Hopefully I’ll be back out on the bike soon and make the most of the summer riding. I’m averaging 10,000km per crash so I’m not due one for a while.
Job applications are being fired out, VC interviews are being taken but nothings quite stuck yet.
The current plan is to get a job, save up some money and wait for the world to reopen again. I’ll hopefully be able to go to the places I’ve yet to tick off in smaller individual trips rather than another long expedition to fit alongside work.
I’ll be sure to keep you all up to date with plans as and when they are conceived.
My Belated Gap Year 
Hiya
I was wondering how you were and if you had managed to get back home with a flight.
Glad to know you’re home safe and sound.
Self isolating in one room must have been hard since you were used to open spaces. Also glad you’re on the mend from your accident. Looking forward to your next adventure.
I think you should write a book. X
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Great to have you home and yes it was a shock to see you last Saturday after the accident , but you will as usual pick yourself up and get on the bike again .
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Hello Jake,
Which bike were you riding when the chain broke? Was it the one you used in Far East and Australia?
Get well soon.
Good luck with exams and job hunting.
Stephen.
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